US4936057A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of finish machining the surface of irregularly shaped fluid passages
Assignee: Extrude Hone LLC
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Filing: 1985-09-09
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2005-09-09
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is based upon the performance of abrasive flow machining through pump casings and, more particularly, through volute casings whereby the internal surface friction of the casing is substantially reduced to consistently effect a minimal internal friction, operation after operation, and whereby the industry standards for internal friction values for pumps may be established.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence J. Rhoades
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:01
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B31/00; B24B31/10; B24B31/116
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of abrasive flow machining the surface of irregularly shaped fluid passages comprising: placing a restrictive fixture within the fluid passageway of the irregularly shaped fluid passage to equalize the cross-sectional area throughout the length of the fluid passageway; extruding a visco-elastic abrasive medium through the fluid passage; removing said restrictive fixture; and removing said visco-elastic abrasive medium from the irregularly shaped fluid passage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of abrasive flow machining the surface of irregularly shaped fluid passages comprising: placing a restrictive fixture within the fluid passageway of the irregularly shaped fluid passage to equalize the cross-sectional area throughout the length of the fluid passageway; extruding a visco-elastic abrasive medium through the fluid passage; removing said restrictive fixture; and removing said visco-elastic abrasive medium from the irregularly shaped fluid passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the visco-elastic abrasive medium comprises an intermixture of abrasive particles and a semi-solid, visco-elastic, rheologically dilatant polymer material having the consistency of putty.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the restrictive fixture comprises a mold-cast, abrasive-resistant fixture, said fixture having a configuration which is obversely related to and reduced in scale relative to the irregularly shaped fluid passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the irregularly shaped fluid passage is a volute passage of a centrifugal pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the restrictive fixture comprises a mold-cast, abrasive-resistant fixture having a spiral configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the semi-solid, visco-elastic, rheologically dilatant polymer material is silicone putty.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the abrasive particle is selected from a group consisting of silicon carbide, boron carbide, aluminum oxide, titanium carbide, diamond dust, rouge, corrundum, garnet, alundum, glass, shell material and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the size of the abrasive particles is less than 8 mesh.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the restrictive fixture comprises an inlet passage for media flow, characterized in that the configuration of said inlet passage within said restrictive fixture renders the direction of media flow tangent with the surface of said fluid passageway in the area where said inlet passage intersects with said fluid passageway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the restrictive fixture comprises an inlet passage for media flow, characterized in that the configuration of said inlet passage within said restrictive fixture renders the direction of media flow tangent with the surface of said fluid passageway in the area where said inlet passage intersects with said fluid passageway.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the restrictive fixture comprises an inlet passage for media flow, characterized in that the configuration of said inlet passage within said restrictive fixture renders the direction of media flow tangent with the surface of said fluid passageway in the area where said inlet passage intersects with said fluid passageway.
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) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |