Electrochemical machining tools and methods

摘要

An electrochemical machining tool and method capable of rounding sharp edges that may be prone to cracking, for example, edge regions of cooling slots within dovetail slots of turbine wheels. The electrochemical machining tool includes an electrode and is secured to the component. The electrode of the electrochemical machining tool is inserted into a first slot, an electrolyte solution is applied between the electrode of the electrochemical machining tool and a second slot that intersects the first slot, an electrical potential is applied to the electrode and the turbine wheel to create a potential gradient between the electrode and the edge of the second slot, and material is removed from the edge of the second slot by displacing the electrode about and along the edge.

主权项

1. A method of rounding an edge of a first slot within at least a second slot of a component at an interface between surfaces of the first slot and the at least second slot, the method comprising:
providing an electrochemical machining tool comprising an electrode; securing the electrochemical machining tool to the component; inserting the electrode into the second slot; applying an electrolyte solution between the first slot and the electrode; applying the electrical potential to the electrode and the component to create a potential gradient between the electrode and the edge of the first slot; and removing material from the edge of the first slot by displacing the electrode in a direction towards the edge and along an axis of the electrode to remove the edge by creating a depression in the component, the depression being recessed into the component and having rounded edges.