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.

A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece is provided. The tool includes a forward electrode tip that includes an outer radial portion and an inner radial portion that extends from a forward face of the outer radial portion. The tool also includes a dielectric sheath that extends circumferentially about the outer radial portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the dielectric sheath. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. The forward electrode tip 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.

A drilling tool for use in machining a conductive work piece is provided. The tool includes a forward electrode tip that includes an outer radial portion and an inner radial portion that extends from a forward face of the outer radial portion. The tool also includes a dielectric sheath that extends circumferentially about the outer radial portion, and at least one side electrode coupled to the dielectric sheath. When electric current is supplied to the forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode, material adjacent to the forward electrode tip and the at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece. The forward electrode tip 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.

A device (1) and a method for plasma-electrolytic machining of an electrically conductive surface (2) of a workpiece (3) are described. The device has an application unit (4) for applying an electrolyte jet to the surface (2), a supply unit (5) for at least temporarily supplying the application unit (4) with the electrolyte required to generate the electrolyte jet, at least one electrode (6), which forms a counter-electrode to the surface (2) during machining, and at least one electrical energy source (7), using which the electrode and the surface can be supplied with electrical energy during machining, such that a current flows between the electrode (6) and the surface (2) to be machined upon contact with the electrolyte.

The technical solution described is characterized in that the application unit (4) is designed to apply a first and at least one second electrolyte jet, which have different jet effect areas on the surface to be machined, simultaneously or consecutively to the surface (2) of the workpiece (3).

A device (1) and a method for plasma-electrolytic machining of an electrically conductive surface (2) of a workpiece (3) are described. The device has an application unit (4) for applying an electrolyte jet to the surface (2), a supply unit (5) for at least temporarily supplying the application unit (4) with the electrolyte required to generate the electrolyte jet, at least one electrode (6), which forms a counter-electrode to the surface (2) during machining, and at least one electrical energy source (7), using which the electrode and the surface can be supplied with electrical energy during machining, such that a current flows between the electrode (6) and the surface (2) to be machined upon contact with the electrolyte.

The technical solution described is characterized in that the application unit (4) is designed to apply a first and at least one second electrolyte jet, which have different jet effect areas on the surface to be machined, simultaneously or consecutively to the surface (2) of the workpiece (3).

An electrochemical machining assembly for boring a passage in an electrically conductive workpiece. The electrochemical machining assembly includes an electrochemical machining tool having a telescoping collar with an articulating head coupled thereto. The telescoping collar is hydraulically actuatable between a contracted configuration and an extended configuration responsive to fluid pressure provided by an electrolyte fluid circulated by the electrochemical machining assembly to advance the telescoping collar stepwise in the passage. The articulating head is tiltable relative to the telescoping collar to determine a direction of the passage. The electrochemical machining assembly is configured to remove material from the workpiece upon application of a voltage between the articulating head and the workpiece via the electrolyte fluid to lengthen the passage.

An electrochemical machining assembly for boring a passage in an electrically conductive workpiece. The electrochemical machining assembly includes an electrochemical machining tool having a telescoping collar with an articulating head coupled thereto. The telescoping collar is hydraulically actuatable between a contracted configuration and an extended configuration responsive to fluid pressure provided by an electrolyte fluid circulated by the electrochemical machining assembly to advance the telescoping collar stepwise in the passage. The articulating head is tiltable relative to the telescoping collar to determine a direction of the passage. The electrochemical machining assembly is configured to remove material from the workpiece upon application of a voltage between the articulating head and the workpiece via the electrolyte fluid to lengthen the passage.

Methods and systems of electrochemically machining are provided. The methods may include applying a first potential to a tool electrode of an electrochemical machining system to generate a primary electric field. The electrochemical machining system may include a workpiece opposite the tool electrode, at least one bias electrode, and at least one fluid delivery channel within the at least one bias electrode. The method may further include applying at least one second potential to the at least one bias electrode. The method may further include delivering a charged electrolyte solution through the at least one fluid delivery channel into the electrolyte solution. Applying at least one second potential and the delivering the charged electrolyte solution generates at least one secondary electric field adjacent to the primary electric field and quenches at least one location of the primary electric field.

Methods and systems of electrochemically machining are provided. The methods may include applying a first potential to a tool electrode of an electrochemical machining system to generate a primary electric field. The electrochemical machining system may include a workpiece opposite the tool electrode, at least one bias electrode, and at least one fluid delivery channel within the at least one bias electrode. The method may further include applying at least one second potential to the at least one bias electrode. The method may further include delivering a charged electrolyte solution through the at least one fluid delivery channel into the electrolyte solution. Applying at least one second potential and the delivering the charged electrolyte solution generates at least one secondary electric field adjacent to the primary electric field and quenches at least one location of the primary electric field.

Methods and systems of electrochemically machining are provided. The methods may include applying a first potential to a tool electrode of an electrochemical machining system to generate a primary electric field. The electrochemical machining system may include a workpiece opposite the tool electrode, at least one bias electrode, and at least one fluid delivery channel within the at least one bias electrode. The method may further include applying at least one second potential to the at least one bias electrode. The method may further include delivering a charged electrolyte solution through the at least one fluid delivery channel into the electrolyte solution. Applying at least one second potential and the delivering the charged electrolyte solution generates at least one secondary electric field adjacent to the primary electric field and quenches at least one location of the primary electric field.