Patent US1942758A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4341939A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4341939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Wire electrode for cutting an electrode workpiece by electrical discharges
Assignee: Agie Charmilles New Technologies SA
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Filing: 1980-09-22
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Granted: 1982-07-27
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Expires: 2000-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A metallic wire, for cutting a workpiece by electrical discharge machining, coated with at least one layer of a metal having a low temperature of vaporization and a film of a metal oxide on the metal layer. The metallic coating is preferably made of zinc and is subjected to an oxidizing thermal or electrolytic treatment such as to form on the surface of the metallic layer a thin film of zinc oxide.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Paul Briffod
- 👤 Roland Martin
- 👤 Jean Pfau
- 👤 Bernard Bommeli
- 👤 Danielle Schnellmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:43
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23H; B23H7/00; B23H7/02; B23H7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An electrode wire for cutting a workpiece by electrical discharges, said electrode wire comprising a core of electrically conductive first material and a coating on said core of a second material having a vaporization and melting temperature lower than that of the first material, said coating comprising at least one layer of said second material provided with a superficial thin film of a non-metallic third material, said thin film having a thickness such as to display semi-conductor electrical characteristics when said film is placed in contact with a surface of a workpiece and when a voltage of a few volts is applied across said wire and said workpiece and such as to become electrically conductive when the voltage applied thereacross is comprised between said few volts and about 100 volts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electrode wire for cutting a workpiece by electrical discharges, said electrode wire comprising a core of electrically conductive first material and a coating on said core of a second material having a vaporization and melting temperature lower than that of the first material, said coating comprising at least one layer of said second material provided with a superficial thin film of a non-metallic third material, said thin film having a thickness such as to display semi-conductor electrical characteristics when said film is placed in contact with a surface of a workpiece and when a voltage of a few volts is applied across said wire and said workpiece and such as to become electrically conductive when the voltage applied thereacross is comprised between said few volts and about 100 volts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrode wire of claim 1 wherein said third material comprises at least one metal oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrode wire of claim 2 wherein said second material is a metal and said oxide is an oxide of said metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrode wire of claim 3 wherein said second material contains a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, tin, lead, antimony, bismuth, magnesium, and alloys thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrode wire of claim 4 wherein said second material contains at least one oxide of said metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The electrode wire of claim 2 wherein said oxide is selected from the group consisting of CuO, Cu 2 O, CdO, ZnO, SnO, Sn 2 O, SbO, Sb 2 O 3 , Sb 2 O 5 , Bi 2 O 3 , Bi 2 O 5 , In 2 O 3 , PbO, TiO 2 , MnO 2 , MgO, NiO and Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrode wire of claim 2 wherein said metal oxide film has a thickness of between 200 and 2,000 A.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrode wire of claim 2 wherein said metal oxide film is water-wettable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrode wire of claim 1 wherein said third material is selected from the group consisting of metallic carbides, borides, silicides, sulfides and nitrides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The electrode wire of claim 1 wherein said coating is porous.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrode wire of claim 1 wherein said coating comprises at least two superimposed layers of said second material, each of said layers being covered by a thin film of said non-metallic third material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrode wire of claim 11 wherein said layers contain each at least 80% zinc and said thin films are made of zinc oxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrode wire of claim 1 wherein said layer contains each at least 80% zinc and said thin films are made of zinc oxide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
150 words
A process for cutting a workpiece by an electrode wire made of a core of a first material being a substantially good conductor of electricity provided with a coating of a second material having a temperature of vaporization and fusion lower than that of said first material, said coating being provided at least with a superficial thin film of a non-metallic third material, said thin film having a thickness sufficient to exhibit semi-conductor qualities when placed in contact with said workpiece while applying across said wire and said workpiece a voltage of a few volts and capable of becoming electrically conductive as a result of breakdown of said film when said voltage is comprised between said few volts and 100 volts, said method comprising connecting a voltage pulse generator across said electrode wire and said workpiece for applying thereacross electrical pulses of a voltage sufficient to cause said film breakdown.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
150 words
A process for cutting a workpiece by an electrode wire made of a core of a first material being a substantially good conductor of electricity provided with a coating of a second material having a temperature of vaporization and fusion lower than that of said first material, said coating being provided at least with a superficial thin film of a non-metallic third material, said thin film having a thickness sufficient to exhibit semi-conductor qualities when placed in contact with said workpiece while applying across said wire and said workpiece a voltage of a few volts and capable of becoming electrically conductive as a result of breakdown of said film when said voltage is comprised between said few volts and 100 volts, said method comprising connecting a voltage pulse generator across said electrode wire and said workpiece for applying thereacross electrical pulses of a voltage sufficient to cause said film breakdown.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
A process for making a wire electrode for use in an EDM apparatus, said process comprising coating on the surface of the wire made of a first metal a layer comprising a second and different metal, and oxidizing the surface of said layer for forming a thin film of oxide of said second metal, wherein said oxide film is obtained by heating in the presence of oxygen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
67 words
A process for making a wire electrode for use in an EDM apparatus, said process comprising coating on the surface of the wire made of a first metal a layer comprising a second and different metal, and oxidizing the surface of said layer for forming a thin film of oxide of said second metal, wherein said oxide film is obtained by heating in the presence of oxygen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 15 further comprising coating on said oxide thin film at least one additional layer of said second metal and oxidizing the surface of said additional layer for forming a thin film of oxide of said second metal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for making a wire electrode for use in an EDM apparatus, said process comprising coating on the surface of the wire made of a first metal a layer comprising a second and different metal, and oxidizing the surface of said layer for forming a thin film of oxide of said second metal, wherein said oxide film is obtained by anodizing the surface of said second layer in an electrolytic bath.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for making a wire electrode for use in an EDM apparatus, said process comprising coating on the surface of the wire made of a first metal a layer comprising a second and different metal, and oxidizing the surface of said layer for forming a thin film of oxide of said second metal, wherein said oxide film is obtained by anodizing the surface of said second layer in an electrolytic bath.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 17 further comprising coating on said oxide thin film at least one additional layer of said second metal and oxidizing the surface of said additional layer for forming a thin film of oxide of said second metal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4286026A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-26 | 1986-01-25 | 1986-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-26 | 1990-01-25 | 1990-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-26 | 1994-01-25 | 1994-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |