Patents by Inventor Rudi Oskar Krenz

Rudi Oskar Krenz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7378611
    Abstract: A work station for an electrical discharge machining apparatus, including a first mechanism for retaining a workpiece in a predetermined position, at least one electrode for forming a feature on the workpiece, and a second mechanism for positioning the electrode in a manner that is movable into and out of engagement with a designated portion of the workpiece. A portion of the second mechanism is connected to the first mechanism so as to automatically align the electrode with the designated portion of the workpiece. The second mechanism is configured so that the electrode is electrically insulated from the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Marion Vau, Rudi Oskar Krenz
  • Publication number: 20080041826
    Abstract: A work station for an electrical discharge machining apparatus, including a first mechanism for retaining a workpiece in a predetermined position, at least one electrode for forming a feature on the workpiece, and a second mechanism for positioning the electrode in a manner that is movable into and out of engagement with a designated portion of the workpiece. A portion of the second mechanism is connected to the first mechanism so as to automatically align the electrode with the designated portion of the workpiece. The second mechanism is configured so that the electrode is electrically insulated from the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: James Marion Vau, Rudi Oskar Krenz
  • Patent number: 6833524
    Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus is provided with at least two work stations. A first servomotor is mounted above the first and second work stations, and a second servomotor mounted to the first servomotor so as to be selectively positioned over either of the first and second work stations by the first servomotor. The second servomotor is capable of causing relative motion between an electrode and a workpiece fixture in the first work station when positioned over the first work station and causing relative motion between an electrode and a workpiece fixture in the second work station when positioned over the second work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Rudi Oskar Krenz
  • Patent number: 6831246
    Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus includes a plurality of machining heads, at least one EDM control system, and a plurality of programmable servo drives. Each one of the programmable servo drives is connected to the EDM control system and to a respective one of the plurality of machining heads. The programmable servo drives receive a velocity command from the EDM control system and feed a control signal to a respective one of the plurality of machining heads to control electrode positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Rudi Oskar Krenz
  • Publication number: 20040084418
    Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus is provided with at least two work stations. A first servomotor is mounted above the first and second work stations, and a second servomotor mounted to the first servomotor so as to be selectively positioned over either of the first and second work stations by the first servomotor. The second servomotor is capable of causing relative motion between an electrode and a workpiece fixture in the first work station when positioned over the first work station and causing relative motion between an electrode and a workpiece fixture in the second work station when positioned over the second work station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Rudi Oskar Krenz
  • Publication number: 20040050821
    Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus includes a plurality of machining heads, at least one EDM control system, and a plurality of programmable servo drives. Each one of the programmable servo drives is connected to the EDM control system and to a respective one of the plurality of machining heads. The programmable servo drives receive a velocity command from the EDM control system and feed a control signal to a respective one of the plurality of machining heads to control electrode positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Rudi Oskar Krenz
  • Patent number: 6563071
    Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus includes a plurality of work stations, where each work station has at least one electrode. The EDM apparatus further includes one or more power supplies and a power transfer switch for alternately supplying power to various sets of the electrodes. The power transfer switch has a first state wherein each power supply is connected to a corresponding first electrode in one of the work stations and a second state wherein each power supply is connected to a corresponding second electrode in another work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Rudi Oskar Krenz
  • Publication number: 20020170885
    Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus includes a plurality of work stations, where each work station has at least one electrode. The EDM apparatus further includes one or more power supplies and a power transfer switch for alternately supplying power to various sets of the electrodes. The power transfer switch has a first state wherein each power supply is connected to a corresponding first electrode in one of the work stations and a second state wherein each power supply is connected to a corresponding second electrode in another work station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Rudi Oskar Krenz
  • Patent number: 6369343
    Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus includes a single workpiece fixture for holding a workpiece and a plurality of machining heads for machining different features into the workpiece. For example, a first machining head is arranged to machine a first feature into the workpiece, and a second machining head is arranged to machine a second feature into the workpiece. Each machining head is connected to a separate control system so as to operate independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rudi Oskar Krenz, Brett Wayne Byrnes, Willem Thomas DeGraaff