Patents by Inventor Yuanfeng Luo
Yuanfeng Luo 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: 10022812Abstract: A method of machining a work-piece formed of titanium-based material, using a machining apparatus, is described. The method includes the steps of providing an electrically-conductive electrode contained within a spindle assembly, in a pre-selected distance and position relative to the titanium-based work-piece; while electrically powering the electrode and the work-piece with a power supply. In the process, fluid electrolyte is circulated through at least two pathways in the machining apparatus—an internal conduit within the spindle assembly; and an external conduit. The charged electrode is moved relative to the work-piece in a plunging motion, to remove material from the work-piece at a relatively high rate, using a high-speed electro-erosion (HSEE) process.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Yuanfeng Luo, Steven Robert Hayashi, Andrew Lee Trimmer, Mark James Cintula
-
Publication number: 20180093337Abstract: Electrode for an electro-erosion process, includes a shaft, a body coupled to the shaft, a plurality of machining-inserts, an insulated layer, and a flushing cover disposed on the body and coupled to the shaft. The shaft includes a channel, a plurality of first openings and second openings, where each opening is connected to the channel. The body includes a plurality of main-flushing channels, where each channel is connected to a corresponding first opening. The plurality of machining-inserts is spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction and detachably coupled to a peripheral end portion of the body. Each machining-insert includes at least one third opening connected to a corresponding main-flushing channel. The insulated layer is disposed on top and bottom surfaces of the body. The flushing cover includes a plurality of side-flushing channels and a plurality of fourth openings, where each channel is connected to a corresponding second opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2016Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Yuanfeng Luo, Andrew Lee Trimmer, Bernard Adel Ibrahim, Dale Robert Lombardo, John Anthony Vogel
-
Patent number: 9925609Abstract: A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece is provided. The tool includes a body portion, a forward electrode coupled to the body portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the body portion. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. Further, the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode are selectively operable to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Andrew Lee Trimmer, Edward James Nieters, Yuanfeng Luo, Robert Frank Hoskin, Jeremy Gordon McNamara, Timothy Michael Moricca
-
Publication number: 20180065200Abstract: An electrical machining method comprises machining a workpiece by an electrical machining device comprising an electrode; increasing a feedrate of the electrode at a first acceleration if a discharge current passing through the electrode and the workpiece is lower than a discharge current reference; and decreasing the feedrate of the electrode at a second acceleration if the discharge current is higher than the discharge current reference, wherein the second acceleration has an absolute value higher than that of the first acceleration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Dong LIU, Andrew Lee TRIMMER, Yuanfeng LUO, Steven Robert HAYASHI
-
Publication number: 20170144239Abstract: The polishing system includes a power supply. The polishing system also includes a container including an interior portion. The interior portion includes a conductive material thereon. The conductive material is electrically coupled to the power supply. The polishing system also includes an electrolytic solution disposed within the container. The electrolytic solution includes a plurality of abrasive particles. The polishing system further includes a flexible media disposed within the container. The container is configured to contain an object. The power supply configured to electrically couple to the object. Each of the electrolytic solution, the flexible media, and the abrasive particles is configured to partially polish the object substantially simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Yuanfeng Luo, Steven Robert Hayashi, Adegboyega Masud Makinde, Andrew Lee Trimmer
-
Publication number: 20170028491Abstract: A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece is provided. The tool includes a body portion, a forward electrode coupled to the body portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the body portion. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. Further, the forward electrode and the at least one side electrode are selectively operable to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Andrew Lee Trimmer, Edward James Nieters, Yuanfeng Luo, Robert Frank Hoskin, Jeremy Gordon McNamara, Timothy Michael Moricca
-
Publication number: 20160346856Abstract: An electroerosion machining system for trepanning and drilling operations is disclosed. The electroerosion machining system includes an electrode assembly configured to machine a desired configuration in a workpiece, a power supply configured to energize the electrode assembly and the workpiece to opposite electrical polarities, an electrolyte supply configured to pass an electrolyte between the electrode assembly and the workpiece, a working apparatus configured to move the electrode assembly relative to the workpiece, and a control system to control the power supply and the working apparatus. The electrode assembly further includes an electrode body in the form of a tube-shaped body, the tube-shaped body defining a hollow interior and one or more replaceable inserts affixed to the electrode body at a working end thereof positioned adjacent the workpiece, the one or more replaceable inserts constructed so as to be selectively attachable and detachable from the working end of the electrode body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Yuanfeng Luo, Steven Robert Hayashi, Andrew Lee Trimmer, Dale Robert Lombardo, John Anthony Vogel
-
Publication number: 20160346855Abstract: A method for electroerosion machining includes providing an electrode assembly comprising an electrode body having a tube-shaped body that defines a hollow interior and one or more inserts affixed to the electrode body to form a cutting surface on the electrode assembly, positioning the electrode assembly adjacent a workpiece to be machined, and providing power to the electrode assembly so as to energize the electrode assembly, with the electrode assembly and the workpiece being at opposite electrical polarities. The method also includes advancing the electrode assembly through the workpiece, with a working gap being maintained between the inserts and the workpiece across which a pulse electric current is passed to remove material from the workpiece, wherein, upon advancing the electrode assembly through the workpiece, a core is formed that is completely separated from a remainder of the workpiece and is contained within the hollow interior of the electrode body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Yuanfeng Luo, Steven Robert Hayashi, Andrew Lee Trimmer, Dale Robert Lombardo, John Anthony Vogel
-
Patent number: 9416462Abstract: A machining system for machining a workpiece is provided. The machining system comprises a machine tool, a plurality of cutting tools, a CNC controller. The plurality of cutting tools comprises an electrode and a conventional cutting tool exchangeably disposed on the machine tool. The machining system further comprises a power supply, a process controller, and an electrolyte supply, wherein the machine tool, the electrode, the CNC controller, the power supply, the process controller and the electrolyte supply are configured to cooperate to function as an electroerosion machining device, wherein the machine tool, the CNC controller, the conventional cutting tool and the electrolyte supply are configured to cooperate to function as a conventional machining device, and wherein the machining system is configured to function alternately as the electroerosion machining device and the conventional machining device.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yimin Zhan, Yuanyuan Guo, Yuanfeng Luo, Renewi Yuan, Zhixue Peng, Garth M. Nelson, Massimo Arcioni, Francescosaverio Chiari, Hongtao Li
-
Publication number: 20160101479Abstract: A method of machining a work-piece formed of titanium-based material, using a machining apparatus, is described. The method includes the steps of providing an electrically-conductive electrode contained within a spindle assembly, in a pre-selected distance and position relative to the titanium-based work-piece; while electrically powering the electrode and the work-piece with a power supply. In the process, fluid electrolyte is circulated through at least two pathways in the machining apparatus—an internal conduit within the spindle assembly; and an external conduit. The charged electrode is moved relative to the work-piece in a plunging motion, to remove material from the work-piece at a relatively high rate, using a high-speed electro-erosion (HSEE) process.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Yuanfeng Luo, Steven Robert Hayashi, Andrew Lee Trimmer, Mark James Cintula
-
Publication number: 20160008952Abstract: A computer-implemented method for forming a three-dimensional workpiece from a block of material using a fluid jet cutting device is implemented by a fabrication system. The method includes receiving an indication of the geometry of the workpiece and generating a three-dimensional tool path to control a cutting head to form the workpiece. Generating the tool path includes receiving an indication of a desired cutting surface on the workpiece, determining a length of the cutting surface, and designating a plurality of waypoints along an edge of the cutting surface. Generating the tool path also includes determining at least one geometric parameter of the cutting surface at each waypoint of the plurality of waypoints, and calculating a speed of the cutting head at each waypoint of the plurality of waypoints based on the determined geometric parameter such that the speed of the cutting head varies along the cutting surface length.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Yuanfeng Luo, Erik Karl Jacobson, Jane Marie Lipkin, Jeremy Gordon McNamara, Donovan Orlando Buckley
-
Publication number: 20150354361Abstract: A rotor assembly is provided. The rotor assembly includes a rotor shaft and at least one blisk integrally formed with the rotor shaft. The at least one blisk includes an inner rim extending circumferentially about the rotor shaft, and a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the inner rim, wherein the rotor shaft and the at least one blisk are defined from a single billet of material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Douglas Carl Hofer, Yuanfeng Luo, Edip Sevincer, Ganesh Krishnamoorthy, Chiranjeev Singh Kalra
-
Publication number: 20150328705Abstract: A machining system for electromachining a workpiece that in one embodiment includes a machine tool, a cutting tool for performing the eletromachining, and a tool holding apparatus for conductively holding the cutting tool and coupled to the machine tool. The tool holding apparatus includes a holding element for holding the cutting tool and at least one solution releasing element. The solution releasing element is used to receive machining solution and release the machining solution onto a predetermined area of the cutting tool through at least one group of channels. Each group of channels includes at least two channels configured to respectively release the machining solution onto at least two adjacent sections in the predetermined area of the cutting tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Lei YANG, Dong LIU, Renwei YUAN, Jianping WU, Yuanfeng LUO, Howard Paul WEAVER
-
Patent number: 8999136Abstract: A Method and machine tool for compensating a wear of an electrode that machines a workpiece. The method includes selecting a current pocket from plural pockets of the workpiece; updating a wear compensation to be applied to the electrode for the current pocket based on wear compensation of a previous pocket, where the previous pocket is adjacent to the current pocket; and applying the updated wear compensation to the electrode for machining the current pocket.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.Inventors: Ugo Cantelli, Garth M Nelson, Yuanfeng Luo, Yimin Zhan, Roberto Ciappi, Massimo Arcioni, Renwei Yuan
-
Publication number: 20150014281Abstract: An electrode applied in electro-machining processes is provided. The electrode comprises a main body portion and at least one built-in internal flushing passage for introducing a flushing liquid to a volume between the electrode and a workpiece to be machined. The electrode is made by an additive fabrication process that enables specialized flushing for enhancing waste material evacuation and incorporate special material properties like zones of high electrical conductivity and thermal resistance. The fabrication process produces materials and geometries that could not otherwise be made using conventional processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Andrew Lee Trimmer, Yuanfeng Luo, Bin Wei, John Broddus Deaton
-
Patent number: 8911599Abstract: A machining system is provided and includes a machining tool comprising a spindle, one or more electrodes configured to perform the electromachining, and one or more tool holding elements configure to conductively hold the respective one or more electrodes and be assembled onto the spindle of the machining tool. The machining system further comprises one or more adapters and one or more power sources configured to electrically connect to the respective one or more adapters and the workpiece. The one or more adapters are configured to conductively contact the respective one or more tool holding elements. Further, the machining system comprises one or more machining solution sources provided to pass one or more machining solutions between the workpiece and the respective one or more electrodes. A tool adapter assembly is also presented.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hongtao Li, Bin Wei, Xiaobin Chen, Steven Robert Hayashi, Renwei Yuan, Yuanfeng Luo
-
Patent number: 8560110Abstract: An electroerosion control system includes a general CNC controller being configured for controlling a general CNC machine process, a power supply for energizing a tool electrode and a workpiece to be machined, an electroerosion controller electrically connecting with the power supply for controlling an output of the power supply, and adaptively and electrically connecting with the general CNC controller for communication thereof, and a sensor sensing real-time status information of a working gap between the tool electrode and the workpiece and for sending said real-time status information to said electroerosion controller. Said electroerosion controller automatically controls the electroerosion machining process through the general CNC controller according to the real-time status information of the working gap.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yimin Zhan, Renwei Yuan, Garth M. Nelson, Yuanfeng Luo, Jun Cai, Ugo Cantelli
-
Publication number: 20130220826Abstract: A machining system for machining a workpiece is provided. The machining system comprises a machine tool, a plurality of cutting tools, a CNC controller. The plurality of cutting tools comprises an electrode and a conventional cutting tool exchangeably disposed on the machine tool. The machining system further comprises a power supply, a process controller, and an electrolyte supply, wherein the machine tool, the electrode, the CNC controller, the power supply, the process controller and the electrolyte supply are configured to cooperate to function as an electroerosion machining device, wherein the machine tool, the CNC controller, the conventional cutting tool and the electrolyte supply are configured to cooperate to function as a conventional machining device, and wherein the machining system is configured to function alternately as the electroerosion machining device and the conventional machining device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: Yimin Zhan, Yuanyuan Guo, Yuanfeng Luo, Renewi Yuan, Zhixue Peng, Garth M. Nelson, Massimo Arcioni, Francescosaverio Chiari, Hongtao Li
-
Patent number: 8471167Abstract: A rough machining method for machining a channel in a workpiece includes the steps of: provide a power supply to energize one of a workpiece and an electrode as an anode and the other as a cathode; advance the electrode into the workpiece from a first start point to travel a first toolpath, so as to generate a first annular groove with a first core connecting with the workpiece; advance the electrode into the workpiece from a second start point to travel a second toolpath, so as to generate a second annular groove with a second core connecting with the workpiece, wherein the second annular groove intersects with the first annular groove and the first and the second cores are at least partially broken and disconnected with the workpiece upon intersecting of the first and the second annular grooves; and circulating a cutting fluid cross a working gap between a working face of the electrode and the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yuanfeng Luo, Garth Nelson, Ugo Cantelli, Renwei Yuan, Yimin Zhan
-
Patent number: 8323473Abstract: A method for monitoring machining in an electroerosion assembly having a power supply and an electrode arranged across a gap from a workpiece, includes measuring a voltage at a point in a voltage waveform after a time delay td of one half of a pulse width of the voltage waveform. The measurements are repeated for multiple pulses of the voltage waveform to obtain multiple voltages, each of the voltages corresponding to a point in respective pulses. The voltages are averaged to obtain an average voltage, which is compared with at least one threshold voltage, to determine whether the machining is in control. A control signal is generated if the comparison indicates that the process is not in control, the control signal being configured to regulate an operating parameter of the power supply, and the control signal is supplied to the power supply, if generated.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yuanfeng Luo, Renwei Yuan, Kelvin Junwen Wang, Bin Wei, Michael Scott Lamphere