Device and method for electrochemical reduction

Abstract

A device for electrochemical reduction of a workpiece ( 10 ) includes a workpiece ( 10 ), an electrode ( 20 ), and an electrolyte ( 30 ), which is located between electrode ( 20 ) and workpiece ( 10 ). The electrode ( 20 ) is moved close to the workpiece ( 10 ) with a small gap dimension ( 21 ), and a processing of the workpiece ( 10 ) occurs through a flow of current between electrode ( 20 ) and workpiece ( 10 ) through the electrolyte ( 30 ). In addition, a sonotrode is positioned to introduce sound waves.

1 . A device for electrochemical reduction of a workpiece, comprising: 
 a workpiece;    an electrode;    an electrolyte, the electrolyte being between the electrode and the workpiece, the electrode being separated from the workpiece by a small gap dimension; and    a sonotrode positioned in the device, the sonotrode generating sound waves, the device processing the workpiece via through a flow of current between the electrode and workpiece through the electrolyte.    
   
   
       2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sonotrode generates ultrasound.  
   
   
       3 . The device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein a frequency of the sound waves is selected so that standing waves are not formed in the electrolyte.  
   
   
       4 . The device as recited in one of  claim 1 , wherein 
 the sonotrode is coupled to an element, the element being one of the workpiece, the electrode, and the electrolyte, and    the sound waves are irradiated into the element.    
   
   
       5 . The device as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the sonotrode is positioned adjacent to an area of the workpiece that is to be processed.  
   
   
       6 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece is made of a metallic material.  
   
   
       7 . The device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the metallic material is titanium or nickel based.  
   
   
       8 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sound waves are introduced into a reduction area of the workpiece.  
   
   
       9 . A method for electrochemical reduction of a workpiece, comprising 
 moving an electrode having a reduction gap of small gap dimension to above a surface of a workpiece to be processed;    providing an electrolyte between the electrode and the surface;    providing a current between the electrode and the workpiece through the electrolyte; and    generating sound waves with a sonotrode.    
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the sound waves are coupled into the electrolyte, and the flow of electrolyte occurs through the reduction gap between electrode and the workpiece.  
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the sound waves are coupled into the electrolyte indirectly through the workpiece or the electrode.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the sound waves are coupled directly into the electrolyte.  
   
   
       13 . A device for electrochemical reduction of a workpiece, comprising: 
 a workpiece;    an electrode;    an electrolyte, the electrolyte being between the electrode and the workpiece, the electrode being separated from the workpiece by a small gap dimension; and    a sonotrode positioned in the device to introduce sound waves into the electrolyte, the device processing the workpiece via through a flow of current between the electrode and workpiece through the electrolyte.    
   
   
       14 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the sound waves are introduced into the electrolyte indirectly through the workpiece or the electrode.  
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the sound waves are introduced directly into the electrolyte.  
   
   
       16 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the sonotrode generates ultrasound.  
   
   
       17 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein a frequency of the sound waves is selected so that standing waves are not formed in the electrolyte.  
   
   
       18 . The device as recited in one of  claim 13 , wherein 
 the sonotrode is coupled to an element, the element being one of the workpiece, the electrode, and the electrolyte, and    the sound waves are irradiated into the element.    
   
   
       19 . The device as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the sonotrode is positioned adjacent to an area of the workpiece that is to be processed.  
   
   
       20 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the workpiece is made of a metallic material.  
   
   
       21 . The device as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the metallic material is titanium or nickel based.