1. A method of electroplating a workpiece, comprising the steps:
immersing an anode and a cathode in a solution;
using the cathode to support the workpiece;
positioning a selective shieldmaterial flow assembly between the anode and the cathode, said shieldmaterial flow assembly forming a multitude of openings having adjustable sizes, including the step of positioning said multitude of openings laterally extending across said anode;
generating an electric field emanating from the anode to the cathode, to generate a corresponding current to deposit an electroplating material on the workpiece during an electroplating process; and
adjusting the sizes of the adjustable openings, during the electroplating process, for selectively and controllably adjusting the amount of electric flux passing through the selective shieldmaterial flow assembly and the distribution of the electroplating material across the workpiece.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selective shieldmaterial flow assembly includes first and second selective shieldmaterial flow mechanisms, and the adjusting step includes the step of moving the first and second selective shieldmaterial flow mechanisms relative to each other to adjust the sizes of the opening of the selective shieldmaterial flow assembly.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of moving the first and second selective shieldmaterial flow mechanisms also adjusts the location of the opening of the selective shieldmaterial flow shield assembly.
4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the first selective shieldmaterial flow mechanism includes a first series of through openings, and the second selective shieldmaterial flow mechanism includes a second series of through openings, and wherein:
the adjusting step further includes the step of using the first and second series of openings, in combination, to form the openings of the selective shieldmaterial flow assembly; and
the moving step includes the step of moving the first and second selective shieldmaterial flow mechanisms laterally relative to each other to adjust the sizes of the openings of the selective shieldmaterial flow assembly.
5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the positioning step includes the step of connecting the first and second selective shieldmaterial flow mechanisms together for limited movement relative to each other.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein:
the positioning step includes the further step of providing a control means to move the selective shieldmaterial flow mechanisms relative to each other; and
the adjusting step includes the step of using the control means to move the selective shieldmaterial flow mechanisms relative to each other during the electroplatingelectroless process to adjust the sizes of the openings of the shieldmaterial flow apparatus mechanism.
7. A method of plating a work piece comprising the steps of:
providing a source of depositing material;
providing a transport medium;
providing at least one work piece in a work piece holder;
supporting said at least one work piece in said work holder;
immersing said work piece holder in said transport medium;
positioning a selective shieldmaterial flow assembly between said work piece holder and said source of depositing material in said transport medium, said selective shieldmaterial flow assembly forming at least one opening having an adjustable size, including the step of positioning said at least one opening laterally extending across the work piece; and
adjusting the said adjustable size of said at least one adjustable opening for selectively and controllably adjusting the amount of said depositing material passing through said selective shieldmaterial flow apparatus and the distribution of said depositing material on said at least one work piece.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said selective shieldmaterial flow assembly further includes a first selective shieldmaterial flow mechanism and a second selective shieldmaterial flow mechanism, and the adjusting step includes the step of moving said first shieldmaterial flow mechanism and said second shieldmaterial flow mechanism relative to each other to adjust the said adjustable size of said at least one opening of said selective shieldmaterial flow assembly.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A drill string stabilizer, comprising:
a reinforcing sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface; and
at least one helical channel extending along the outer surface;
wherein the inner surface includes a first tapered section and a second section having a substantially uniform diameter, and wherein the first tapered section is threadless.
2. The drill string stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the at least one helical channel extends substantially the entire length of the reinforcing sleeve.
3. The drill string stabilizer of claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the reinforcing sleeve comprises a plurality of helical channels.
4. The drill string stabilizer of claim 2, wherein the at least one helical channel moves material displaced by a drilling action along the length of the reinforcing sleeve as it rotates during the drilling.
5. The drill string stabilizer of claim 2, wherein a rake angle of the at least one helical channel is about 30 degrees.
6. The drill string stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the at least one helical channel extends along only a portion of the length of the reinforcing sleeve.
7. A drill string stabilizer, comprising:
a reinforcing sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface; and
at least one helical channel extending along the outer surface;
wherein the inner surface includes a first tapered section and a second section having a substantially uniform diameter and wherein the inner surface of the reinforcing sleeve includes a third section having a substantially uniform diameter that is larger than the substantially uniform diameter of the second section.
8. A percussive drill string, comprising:
a drill rod including an outer surface, the outer surface having a tapered portion and a second portion of substantially uniform diameter; and
a reinforcing sleeve having an inner surface that includes a first tapered section and a second section having a substantially uniform diameter, the reinforcing sleeve being contained on the tapered portion and the second portion of the drill rod, wherein the outer diameter of the reinforcing sleeve is substantially the same or slightly smaller than a drill bit configured to be secured to an end of the drill rod.
9. The drill string of claim 8, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is configured to substantially match the outer surface of the tapered portion so that the sleeve is not displaced when the drill rod moves.
10. The drill string of claim 8, wherein the outer surface of the reinforcing sleeve comprises at least one helical channel.
11. The drill string of claim 10, wherein the at least one helical channel moves material displaced by a drilling action along the length of the drill rod as it rotates during the drilling.
12. The drill string of claim 10, wherein a rake angle of the at least one helical channel can range up to about 30 degrees.
13. The drill string of claim 8, wherein a plurality of reinforcing sleeves are contained on the drill rod.
14. A method for making a percussive drill string, the method comprising:
providing a drill rod containing a tapered portion and a second portion of substantially uniform diameter;
providing a tapered section of an inner surface of a reinforcing sleeve on the tapered portion of the drill rod and providing a second section of the inner surface of the reinforcing sleeve on the second portion of the drill rod, the second section of the inner surface of the reinforcing sleeve having a substantially uniform diameter, wherein an outer diameter of the reinforcing sleeve is substantially the same size or slightly smaller than a drill bit configured to be secured to an end of the drill rod and the outer surface of the reinforcing sleeve comprising helical channels.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising heating the reinforcing sleeve, forcing the reinforcing sleeve over the drill rod, and then cooling the reinforcing sleeve to attach the reinforcing sleeve to the drill rod.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the reinforcing sleeve bonds to the drill rod during the cooling process.
17. A percussive drilling apparatus, comprising:
a percussive drill bit;
a drill string containing a drill rod with a tapered portion that is connected to the drill bit; and
a reinforcing sleeve contained on the tapered portion of the drill rod, an inner surface of the reinforcing sleeve including a tapered section and a second section having a substantially uniform diameter, the outer diameter of the sleeve being substantially the same or slightly smaller than the drill bit, and the outer surface of the reinforcing sleeve comprising a helical channel.
18. The drilling apparatus of claim 17, wherein the inner surface of the sleeve is configured to substantially match the outer surface of the tapered portion so that the sleeve is not displaced when the drill rod moves.
19. The drilling apparatus of claim 17, wherein the helical channel moves material displaced by a drilling action along the length of the drill rod as it rotates during the drilling.
20. The drilling apparatus of claim 17, wherein the reinforcing sleeve is positioned adjacent the drill bit.
21. A method for percussive drilling, comprising:
providing a percussive drilling apparatus containing a drill bit, a drill string containing a drill rod and a reinforcing sleeve, the drill rod having a tapered portion that is connected to the drill bit, the reinforcing sleeve having an inner surface with a tapered section, the tapered section of the reinforcing sleeve being contained on the tapered portion of the drill rod, the inner surface of the reinforcing sleeve further including a second section having a substantially uniform diameter, wherein the outer diameter of the sleeve is substantially the same or slightly smaller than the diameter of the drill bit and the outer surface of the reinforcing sleeve comprising a helical channel; and
repeatedly forcing the drill bit against a material to be drilled.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising rotating the drilling apparatus so that the material displaced by the drilling action moves along the length of the drill rod as it rotates.