US4103137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cutting of materials by spark erosion
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-08-30
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Granted: 1978-07-25
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Expires: 1996-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of cutting a material, which may be insulating or conducting, which includes the steps of placing a pair of parallel spaced electrodes, preferably taking the form of a pair of wires, close to or in contact with the material, applying a voltage across the electrodes and causing relative movement between the electrodes and the material as the spark erodes the material to effect the cut. The invention also provides apparatus for carrying out this method.
Inventors
- 👤 Charlie Maurice Levitt
- 👤 Samuel Chatterley
- 👤 Peter John Livsey Flinn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:33
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/26; B26F1/28; B23; B23H; B23H7/00; B23H7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of cutting a material in a given direction of cut utilizing a pair of spaced electrodes presenting generally parallel, elongate and spaced edges, including the steps of placing the electrode edges adjacent the material, applying a voltage across the electrodes to produce a spark between the edges, and effecting relative movement between the edges and the material in the direction of cut to effect cutting.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of cutting a material in a given direction of cut utilizing a pair of spaced electrodes presenting generally parallel, elongate and spaced edges, including the steps of placing the electrode edges adjacent the material, applying a voltage across the electrodes to produce a spark between the edges, and effecting relative movement between the edges and the material in the direction of cut to effect cutting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein each electrode consists of a wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the wires lie in the same plane as the direction of the relative movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the wires lie in a plane which is transverse to the direction of the relative movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the material is an insulating material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the material is an insulating material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the voltage applied across the wires is in the range 500 volts to 20,000 volts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the relative movement is effected by keeping the material stationary and moving the edges through the material in the direction of cut by applying a load to the electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of effecting relative movement in the direction of cut is effected by moving the material towards the edges in the direction of cut.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 1 comprising the further step of effecting relative movement between the edges and the material in a direction different from the direction of cut to prevent breaking of the wires during cutting.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of cutting a material in a given direction of cut utilizing a pair of spaced wires, including the steps of placing the wires adjacent the material, applying a voltage in the range of 500 to 20,000 volts across the wires to produce a spark thereacross, and effecting relative movement between the wires and the material in the direction of cut so that the spark continuously erodes the material in the direction of cut to effect cutting.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of cutting a material in a given direction of cut utilizing a pair of spaced wires, including the steps of placing the wires adjacent the material, applying a voltage in the range of 500 to 20,000 volts across the wires to produce a spark thereacross, and effecting relative movement between the wires and the material in the direction of cut so that the spark continuously erodes the material in the direction of cut to effect cutting.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the material is diamond.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for cutting a material in a given direction comprising a pair of spaced electrodes presenting generally parallel, elongate and spaced edges, adapted to be placed adjacent the material, means for applying a voltage across the electrodes to produce a spark in a zone between the edges, and means for effecting relative movement between the electrode edges and the material in the direction of cut so that the spark erodes the material to effect the cut in the direction of cut.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for cutting a material in a given direction comprising a pair of spaced electrodes presenting generally parallel, elongate and spaced edges, adapted to be placed adjacent the material, means for applying a voltage across the electrodes to produce a spark in a zone between the edges, and means for effecting relative movement between the electrode edges and the material in the direction of cut so that the spark erodes the material to effect the cut in the direction of cut.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 13 further comprising means for effecting relative movement between the edges and the material in a direction different from the direction of cut so that breakage of the wires during cutting is prevented.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 in which each electrode consists of a wire.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said means for effecting relative movement between the edges and the material in a direction different from the direction of cut comprise a feed roller and a take-up roller for each wire, and means for continuously feeding wire through the spark zone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the wires are fed in opposite directions through the spark zone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 which includes means to vary the spacing between the wires in the spark zone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 in which the spacing varying means comprise two spaced prongs, each prong straddling the wires and being rotatable about an axis which is transverse to the plane of the wires.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-24 | 1982-01-23 | 1982-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-24 | 1986-01-23 | 1986-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-24 | 1990-01-23 | 1990-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |