Abrasive cutting method

Abstract

A tool for removing material from a surface includes a body defining a longitudinal bore and an opening connecting an outer surface of the body to the longitudinal bore. A cutting element comprising a cutting surface is dimensioned to be at least partially received by the opening. The cutting surface is configured to translate from a first position to a second position in response to a centrifugal force. In the second position the cutting surface is extended outwardly through the opening, beyond the outer surface of the body. In one example, the tool may be used to remove material, such as oxidation, from the inner walls of a cylindrical article selected from a pipe and a tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 attaching a tool comprising a body including an outer surface and a translatable cutting element including a cutting surface to a rotary device;   retracting the translatable cutting element including the cutting surface into the body of the tool;   placing at least a portion of the body of the tool into a cylindrical article selected from a pipe and a tube;   rotating the tool using the rotary device to generate centrifugal force and thereby urge a portion of the cutting element including the cutting surface to extend outwardly from the outer surface of the body; and   abrading an inner wall of the cylindrical article with the cutting surface as the tool rotates within the cylindrical article.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a longitudinal bore and an opening connecting the outer surface of the body to the longitudinal bore, and wherein the cutting element is at least partially received within the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the body of the tool and at least a portion of the cutting element are comprised of the same material as the cylindrical article. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least the cutting surface of the cutting element comprises a diamond grit abrasive. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the cutting surface within the cylindrical article to follow the inner wall of the cylindrical article. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the body defines a longitudinal bore and an opening connecting the outer surface of the body to the longitudinal bore; and   the cutting element is dimensioned to be at least partially received by the opening, wherein the cutting surface of the cutting element is configured to translate from a first position to a second position in response to a centrifugal force and in the second position extends outwardly through the opening beyond the outer surface of the body.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a periphery of the body includes a reference line. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein in the first position the cutting surface of the cutting element is positioned in the body. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , the tool further comprising a retaining device positioned within the longitudinal bore. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , the tool further comprising a set screw having a longitudinal axis positioned within the longitudinal bore such that the longitudinal axis of the set screw is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the bore. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical article comprises at least one of zirconium, a zirconium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, aluminum, and an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein abrading the inner wall of the cylindrical article removes at least a portion of oxidation on the inner wall. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the body includes an outer surface, a longitudinal bore, and an opening connecting the outer surface of the body to the longitudinal bore; and   the cutting element is at least partially received within the opening and is configured to translate from a first position to a second position in response to a centrifugal force, wherein in the first position the cutting surface of the cutting element is retained in the body, and wherein in the second position the cutting surface of the cutting element extends outwardly through the opening beyond the outer surface.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , the tool further comprising a retaining device positioned within the longitudinal bore. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , the tool further comprising a set screw having a longitudinal axis positioned within the longitudinal bore such that the longitudinal axis of the set screw is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the bore. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the body defines a second longitudinal bore configured to receive the set screw. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the body includes a plurality of the openings connecting the outer surface of the body to the longitudinal bore; and   the tool includes a plurality of the cutting elements, wherein each cutting element is at least partially received by an opening and is configured to translate from a first position to a second position in response to a centrifugal force, wherein in the second position the cutting surface of the cutting element extends outwardly through an opening beyond the outer surface of the body.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the openings comprising the plurality of openings are distributed equidistantly around the periphery of the body. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cutting element comprises a shoulder. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cutting element comprises a shoe. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a periphery of the body includes a reference line. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the opening comprises a distal end and a proximal end, wherein a depth of the longitudinal bore is substantially aligned with the proximal end of the opening. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cutting element is manually movable from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cylindrical article comprises at least one of zirconium, a zirconium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, aluminum, and an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein abrading the inner wall of the cylindrical article removes at least a portion of oxidation on the inner wall.