An electrolytic machining system includes a controller, a drive member coupled to the controller, a power supply, a diving circuit, a detecting circuit, and an electrode module. The diving circuit is coupled to the power supply module and configured to divide a total voltage taken from the power supply module into a plurality of independent working voltages. The detecting circuit is coupled to the dividing circuit and the electrode assembly. The detecting circuit detects each independent working voltage and feeds back information as to the level of the independent working voltage to the controller as the electrode assembly is moved towards a workpiece. When the detection indicates an incorrect working voltage, the controller controls the drive member to move the electrode assembly away from the workpiece.

An electrolytic machining system includes a controller, a drive member coupled to the controller, a power supply, a diving circuit, a detecting circuit, and an electrode module. The diving circuit is coupled to the power supply module and configured to divide a total voltage taken from the power supply module into a plurality of independent working voltages. The detecting circuit is coupled to the dividing circuit and the electrode assembly. The detecting circuit detects each independent working voltage and feeds back information as to the level of the independent working voltage to the controller as the electrode assembly is moved towards a workpiece. When the detection indicates an incorrect working voltage, the controller controls the drive member to move the electrode assembly away from the workpiece.

In some examples, a pulsed electrochemical machining (pECM) system including a first tool body including a first electrode defining a working surface at a distal end of the tool axis configured to face a workpiece and a second tool body including a second electrode defining a working surface at a distal end of the tool axis configured to face a workpiece. The system includes a mechanical system configured to position the working surface of the first tool body relative to the workpiece and configured to position the working surface of the second tool body relative to the workpiece. The system includes an electrolyte system configured to supply electrolyte to a first interelectrode gap and a second interelectrode gap and a power supply configured to generate a pulsed direct current between the first tool body and the workpiece and the second tool body and the workpiece.

In some examples, a pulsed electrochemical machining (pECM) system including a first tool body including a first electrode defining a working surface at a distal end of the tool axis configured to face a workpiece and a second tool body including a second electrode defining a working surface at a distal end of the tool axis configured to face a workpiece. The system includes a mechanical system configured to position the working surface of the first tool body relative to the workpiece and configured to position the working surface of the second tool body relative to the workpiece. The system includes an electrolyte system configured to supply electrolyte to a first interelectrode gap and a second interelectrode gap and a power supply configured to generate a pulsed direct current between the first tool body and the workpiece and the second tool body and the workpiece.

An electrochemical machining apparatus is modular and includes a power module, an electrolyte processing module, an actuator module, and a control module that are connected with one another via a connection apparatus. The components are modular and are mounted on separate supports, many of which additionally include caster, and the connection apparatus is in the form of a removable umbilical. The modules can be individually moved to a location within a facility where a component is installed, and the modules can be interconnected to form the modular electrochemical machining apparatus at the location of the installed component. The apparatus can then perform an electrochemical machining operation in situ on the installed component.

An electrochemical machining apparatus is modular and includes a power module, an electrolyte processing module, an actuator module, and a control module that are connected with one another via a connection apparatus. The components are modular and are mounted on separate supports, many of which additionally include caster, and the connection apparatus is in the form of a removable umbilical. The modules can be individually moved to a location within a facility where a component is installed, and the modules can be interconnected to form the modular electrochemical machining apparatus at the location of the installed component. The apparatus can then perform an electrochemical machining operation in situ on the installed component.

Systems and methods for sterilization using nonthermal plasma (NTP) ionization are disclosed. An example method for inactivation of viable microorganisms includes: inactivating viable microorganisms in a predetermined volume by: installing a plurality of ceiling mounted direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC), bipolar or steady-state, ion emitter modules based on a geometry of the predetermined volume; and producing, using the plurality of ceiling mounted ion emitter modules, a DC or AC, bipolar or steady-state, nonthermal plasma (NTP), each of the ceiling mounted ion emitter modules comprising a high voltage power supply (HVPS).

A gap detection apparatus for determining in real time the gap required for electrochemical machining gap includes a tooling electrode, a plurality of tool adjusting electrodes, a feedback circuit, a processing feed mechanism for controlling the tooling electrode, a three-dimensional driving mechanism, and an automatic control and measurement system. The tooling electrode includes a plurality of through-holes for receiving tool adjusting electrodes. The three-dimensional driving mechanism is mounted upon the processing feed mechanism, which includes a Z-coordinate feeding portion having a thimble for the feeding of the tool adjusting electrodes. The automatic control and measurement system controls the feed of the processing feed mechanism and the three-dimensional driving mechanism, and establishes the required gap for electrochemical machining.

A gap detection apparatus for determining in real time the gap required for electrochemical machining gap includes a tooling electrode, a plurality of tool adjusting electrodes, a feedback circuit, a processing feed mechanism for controlling the tooling electrode, a three-dimensional driving mechanism, and an automatic control and measurement system. The tooling electrode includes a plurality of through-holes for receiving tool adjusting electrodes. The three-dimensional driving mechanism is mounted upon the processing feed mechanism, which includes a Z-coordinate feeding portion having a thimble for the feeding of the tool adjusting electrodes. The automatic control and measurement system controls the feed of the processing feed mechanism and the three-dimensional driving mechanism, and establishes the required gap for electrochemical machining.

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.