US6794597B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wire electrode with a structured interface surface
Assignee: Berkenhoff and Co KG
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Filing: 2002-09-17
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Granted: 2004-09-21
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Expires: 2022-09-17
Abstract
Abstract In order to achieve a reduction in wear of the wire guide rollers, apart from an improvement in the cutting speed and an improvement in current conduction, a wire electrode for spark erosion cutting of metals etc., comprising either a homogenous center ( 1 ) made of a metal or of a metal alloy, or a composite center, is provided with a sheath coating ( 2 ) whose surface is structured, wherein the indentations ( 3 ) created by the structure, are filled by a filler ( 4 ) made of an easily vapourable metal or of a metal alloy, so as to achieve a surface with little peak-to-valley height, i.e. with little surface roughness.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich Groos
- 👤 Bernd Barthel
- 👤 Tobias Noethe
- 👤 Christoph Dietrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:27
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23H; B23H7/00; B23H7/02; B23H7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A wire electrode for spark erosion cutting, comprising one of a homogenous center made of a metal or a metal alloy, and a composite center, and further comprising at least one outer sheath coating that wears during erosion, wherein a surface of the outer sheath coating is structured with indentations that are filled in with a filler comprising an easily evaporable metal or a metal alloy for smoothing and thereby obtaining a surface with a short peak-to-valley height.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A wire electrode for spark erosion cutting, comprising one of a homogenous center made of a metal or a metal alloy, and a composite center, and further comprising at least one outer sheath coating that wears during erosion, wherein a surface of the outer sheath coating is structured with indentations that are filled in with a filler comprising an easily evaporable metal or a metal alloy for smoothing and thereby obtaining a surface with a short peak-to-valley height.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the filler comprises zinc or a zinc alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the filler comprises a γ-brass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the indentations are larger than 2 μm and smaller than 50 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the indentations are approximately 15 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the indentations in the surface of the wearing sheath coating comprise longitudinal grooves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the indentations in the surface of the wearing sheath coating comprise transverse grooves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the indentations in the surface of the wearing sheath coating comprise spiral grooves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the surface of the wearing sheath coating is knob-shaped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the sheath coating predominantly comprises β-brass, and wherein the fraction of β/β′-phase in the sheath coating is at least 60%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the sheath coating comprises β-brass of at least 90% β/β′-phase.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the center comprises copper or brass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the center is a composite center comprising a steel core with a copper coating or brass coating.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the indentations comprise grooves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The wire electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the indentations comprise a predetermined pattern of indentations.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
A wire electrode for spark erosion cutting comprising: a homogenous or composite center; at least one outer sheath coating surrounding the center and having an outer surface with a predetermined pattern of indentations; and a filler contained within the indentations of the outer sheath coating to provide a smooth outer surface, wherein the smooth outer surface is capable of minimizing wear of the wire electrode during transportation of the wire electrode in wire guides, and wherein said filler comprises a material that vaporizes during the erosion process.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
87 words
A wire electrode for spark erosion cutting comprising: a homogenous or composite center; at least one outer sheath coating surrounding the center and having an outer surface with a predetermined pattern of indentations; and a filler contained within the indentations of the outer sheath coating to provide a smooth outer surface, wherein the smooth outer surface is capable of minimizing wear of the wire electrode during transportation of the wire electrode in wire guides, and wherein said filler comprises a material that vaporizes during the erosion process.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The wire electrode according to claim 16 , wherein the predetermined pattern of indentations comprises a predetermined pattern of grooves.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The wire electrode according to claim 16 , wherein the center comprises a metal or a metal alloy.
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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) | 2007-09-21 | 2008-03-22 | 2008-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-09-21 | 2012-03-22 | 2012-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-09-21 | 2016-03-22 | 2016-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |