US4769118A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the curvilinear formation of holes
Assignee: AE PLC
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Filing: 1986-12-09
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Granted: 1988-09-06
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Expires: 2006-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A process is described for the production of holes having curvilinear paths in engineering components. The process comprises the steps of producing relative motion along a curvilinear path between a workpiece in which it is desired to form a curved hole and a drill bit wherein the drill bit comprises a curved delivery tube of an ECM apparatus, the curved tube passing through an aperture in a guidance member which is positioned adjacent the workpiece, the aperture length being less than the diameter of the tube. An example is described of the production of curved holes in a gas turbine engine blade.
Inventors
- 👤 Antony Johns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:55
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23B; B23B5/00; B23B5/36; B23B5/365; B23H; B23H9/00; B23H9/14; F; F05; F05B; F05B2220/00; F05B2220/30; F05B2220/302
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A process for the production of a curvinlinear hole in a workpiece, the process comprising the steps of producing relative motion along a curvilinear path between a workpiece in which it is desired to form the curvilinear hole and a drill bit wherein said drill bit is a glass capillary tube and comprises a curved delivery tube of an ECM apparatus and which curved tube passes through an aperture in a guidance member which is positioned adjacent the workpiece, the aperture length being less than the diameter of the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A process for the production of a curvinlinear hole in a workpiece, the process comprising the steps of producing relative motion along a curvilinear path between a workpiece in which it is desired to form the curvilinear hole and a drill bit wherein said drill bit is a glass capillary tube and comprises a curved delivery tube of an ECM apparatus and which curved tube passes through an aperture in a guidance member which is positioned adjacent the workpiece, the aperture length being less than the diameter of the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said delivery tube is of non-circular cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said drill bit has a bell-mouthed end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said workpiece is a gas turbine engine component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
A process for the production of curvilinear holes in at least one workpiece, the process comprising the steps of producing relative motion along a curvilinear path simultaneously between at least one workpiece in which it is desired to form the curvilinear holes and a plurality of drill bits so that multiple holes are drilled simultaneously, wherein each said drill bit comprises a curved delivery tube of an ECM apparatus and which curved tube passes through an aperture in a guidance member which is positioned adjacent the at least one workpiece, the aperture length being less than the diameter of the tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
101 words
A process for the production of curvilinear holes in at least one workpiece, the process comprising the steps of producing relative motion along a curvilinear path simultaneously between at least one workpiece in which it is desired to form the curvilinear holes and a plurality of drill bits so that multiple holes are drilled simultaneously, wherein each said drill bit comprises a curved delivery tube of an ECM apparatus and which curved tube passes through an aperture in a guidance member which is positioned adjacent the at least one workpiece, the aperture length being less than the diameter of the tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
A process for the production of a curvilinear hole in a workpiece, the process comprising the steps of producing relative motion along a curvilinear path between a workpiece in which it is desired to form the curvilinear hole and a drill bit wherein said drill bit comprises a curved delivery tube of an ECM apparatus and which curved tube passes through an aperture in a guidance member which is positioned adjacent the workpiece, said hole being in the range from 0.25 mm to 3 mm cross section, and the aperture length being less than the diameter of the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A process for the production of a curvilinear hole in a workpiece, the process comprising the steps of producing relative motion along a curvilinear path between a workpiece in which it is desired to form the curvilinear hole and a drill bit wherein said drill bit comprises a curved delivery tube of an ECM apparatus and which curved tube passes through an aperture in a guidance member which is positioned adjacent the workpiece, said hole being in the range from 0.25 mm to 3 mm cross section, and the aperture length being less than the diameter of the tube.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-06 | 1992-03-07 | 1992-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-06 | 1996-03-07 | 1996-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-06 | 2000-03-07 | 2000-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |