The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 17, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 29, 1998
Benedict Kazirskis, Coonrapids, MN (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
An underwater machining apparatus that is capable of drilling completely through a surface and collecting all machining debris is described. The underwater machining apparatus, in one embodiment, includes a drill body, a drill motor coupled to the drill body, a drill bit coupled to the drill motor, and a drill bit sleeve positioned coaxially around the drill bit. The underwater machining apparatus also includes a vacuum assembly coupled to and in fluid communication to the drill bit sleeve. The drill bit sleeve is configured so as to permit water to be drawn through the sleeve by the vacuum assembly, thereby removing the machining debris. The vacuum assembly includes a collection container configured to collect solid particles of machining debris while permitting water to flow through the container.