Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrolytically treating a surface of a component includes a reaction chamber, a transport chamber and a fluid return path. The reaction chamber is adapted for placing at least a portion of the component therein, and holds a reaction fluid. Fluid enters the reaction chamber through a plurality of inlets. Each inlet directs the fluid toward the component at one or more non-zero vertical angles, and at one or more non-zero horizontal angles. The reaction chamber is a fixture having a cover with an underside shaped to direct the fluid to the surface of the component, such as by having a plurality of slopes. The inlets are through a material that is electrically non-conductive, such as ceramic, plastic, PVC, and fiber reinforced plastic, and/or the fixture further includes a titanium cathode ring that can be vertically adjacent the non-conductive material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of anodizing a component, preferably aluminum, is disclosed. The component is placed in an electrolyte solution. A number of pulses are applied to the solution and component. Each pulse is formed by a pattern including having three magnitudes. The third magnitude is less, preferably substantially less, than the first and second magnitudes, and all three magnitudes are of the same polarity. The pulse pattern may include alternations between the first and second magnitudes, and following the alternations, the third magnitude. Other patterns may be provided. The solution is in a reaction chamber, along with at least a portion of the component. The fluid enters the reaction chamber from a transport chamber through a plurality of inlets directed toward the component, preferably at an angle of between 60 and 70 degrees. The inlet is preferably the cathode, and the component is the anode, whereby current flows between the cathode and the anode in another embodiment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of anodizing a component, preferably aluminum, is disclosed. The component is placed in an electrolyte solution. A number of pulses are applied to the solution and component. Each pulse is formed by a pattern including having three magnitudes. The third magnitude is less, preferably substantially less, than the first and second magnitudes, and all three magnitudes are of the same polarity. The pulse pattern may include alternations between the first and second magnitudes, and following the alternations, the third magnitude. Other patterns may be provided. The solution is in a reaction chamber, along with at least a portion of the component. The fluid enters the reaction chamber from a transport chamber through a plurality of inlets directed toward the component, preferably at an angle of between 60 and 70 degrees. The inlet is preferably the cathode, and the component is the anode, whereby current flows between the cathode and the anode in another embodiment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of anodizing a component, preferably aluminum, is disclosed. The component is placed in an electrolyte solution. A number of pulses are applied to the solution and component. Each pulse is formed by a pattern including having three magnitudes. The third magnitude is less, preferably substantially less, than the first and second magnitudes, and all three magnitudes are of the same polarity. The pulse pattern may include alternations between the first and second magnitudes, and following the alternations, the third magnitude. Other patterns may be provided. The solution is in a reaction chamber, along with at least a portion of the component. The fluid enters the reaction chamber from a transport chamber through a plurality of inlets directed toward the component, preferably at an angle of between 60 and 70 degrees. The inlet is preferably the cathode, and the component is the anode, whereby current flows between the cathode and the anode in another embodiment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of anodizing a component, preferably aluminum, is disclosed. The component is placed in an electrolyte solution. A number of pulses are applied to-the solution and component. Each pulse is formed by a pattern including having three magnitudes. The third magnitude is less, preferably substantially less, than the first and second magnitudes, and all three magnitudes are of the same polarity. The pulse pattern may include alternations between the first and second magnitudes, and following the alternations, the third magnitude. Other patterns may be provided. The solution is in a reaction chamber, along with at least a portion of the component. The fluid enters the reaction chamber from a transport chamber through a plurality of inlets directed toward the component, preferably at an angle of between 60 and 70 degrees. The inlet is preferably the cathode, and the component is the anode, whereby current flows between the cathode and the anode in another embodiment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of anodizing a component, preferably aluminum, is disclosed. The component is placed in an electrolyte solution. A number of pulses are applied to the solution and component. Each pulse is formed by a pattern including having three magnitudes. The third magnitude is less, preferably substantially less, than the first and second magnitudes, and all three magnitudes are of the same polarity. The pulse pattern may include alternations between the first and second magnitudes, and following the alternations, the third magnitude. Other patterns may be provided. The solution is in a reaction chamber, along with at least a portion of the component. The fluid enters the reaction chamber from a transport chamber through a plurality of inlets directed toward the component, preferably at an angle of between 60 and 70 degrees. The inlet is preferably the cathode, and the component is the anode, whereby current flows between the cathode and the anode in another embodiment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of anodizing a component, preferably aluminum, is disclosed. The component is placed in an electrolyte solution. A number of pulses are applied to the solution and component. Each pulse is formed by a pattern including having three magnitudes. The third magnitude is less, preferably substantially less, than the first and second magnitudes, and all three magnitudes are of the same polarity. The pulse pattern may include alternations between the first and second magnitudes, and following the alternations, the third magnitude. Other patterns may be provided. The solution is in a reaction chamber, along with at least a portion of the component. The fluid enters the reaction chamber from a transport chamber through a plurality of inlets directed toward the component, preferably at an angle of between 60 and 70 degrees. The inlet is preferably the cathode, and the component is the anode, whereby current flows between the cathode and the anode in another embodiment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of anodizing a component, which is placed in an electrolyte solution. A number of pulses are applied to the solution and component. Each pulse is formed by a pattern having three magnitudes. The third magnitude is less than the first and second magnitudes, and all three magnitudes have the same polarity. The pulse pattern may include alternations between the first and second magnitudes, and following the alternations, the third magnitude. The fluid enters the reaction chamber from a transport chamber through a plurality of inlets directed toward the component, at an angle of between 60 and 70 degrees. The inlet is the cathode, and the component is the anode. Current flows between the cathode and the anode. The inlets are in a side wall where the fluid enters the reaction chamber substantially horizontally. The reaction chamber has at least one outlet beneath the inlets. Which may be in a bottom wall. The fluid follows a return path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of anodizing a component, preferably aluminum, is disclosed. The component is placed in an electrolyte solution. A number of pulses are applied to the solution and component. Each pulse is formed by a pattern including having three magnitudes. The third magnitude is less, preferably substantially less, than the first and second magnitudes, and all three magnitudes are of the same polarity. The pulse pattern may include alternations between the first and second magnitudes, and following the alternations, the third magnitude. Other patterns may be provided. The solution is in a reaction chamber, along with at least a portion of the component. The fluid enters the reaction chamber from a transport chamber through a plurality of inlets directed toward the component, preferably at an angle of between 60 and 70 degrees. The inlet is preferably the cathode, and the component is the anode, whereby current flows between the cathode and the anode in another embodiment.

Abstract: A method of anodizing an aluminum component includes placing the component in an electrolyte solution. A plurality of pulses are applied. The pulses have a pattern that includes three magnitudes. An aluminum alloy component of approximately 3.0% Cu, 9.5% Si, and 1.0% Mg is anodized using a first magnitude of about 6 A/dm.sup.2, and the third magnitude of is about 1 A/dm.sup.2. The electrolyte is about 16% v/v sulfuric acid at a temperature of about 10-15.degree. C. The duration of the high magnitude portion of the pulse is about 30 seconds, the duration of the zero magnitude portion of the current pulse is about 10 seconds, and wherein the duration of the third magnitude portion of the pulse is about 10 seconds. An aluminum alloy component of approximately 4.5% Cu and 17% Si is anodized using about 6 A/dm.sup.2 for the first magnitude, and the third magnitude is about 1 A/dm.sup.2. The electrolyte is about 17% v/v sulfuric acid at a temperature of about 15.degree. C.