Abrasive articles having internal coolant features and methods of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A bonded abrasive article is disclosed. The bonded abrasive article has abrasive particles retained within a binder in an active grinding layer. The bonded abrasive article also has an internal reservoir configured to receive a fluid. The bonded abrasive article also has a feature configured to change a property of the fluid. The bonded abrasive article also has a delivery feature configured to deliver to fluid to a contact zone.

1 . A bonded abrasive article comprising:
 abrasive particles retained within a binder in an active grinding layer;   an internal reservoir configured to receive a fluid;   a feature configured to change a property of the fluid; and   a delivery feature configured to deliver the fluid to a contact zone.   
     
     
         2 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the feature is an acceleration feature configured to change the property of the fluid based on a rotation of the abrasive article about a mechanical shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the property is speed. 
     
     
         4 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the property is pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery feature is an opening extending substantially through the bonded abrasive article from the internal reservoir to the active grinding layer. 
     
     
         6 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 1 , and further comprising:
 a fluid channel within the active grinding layer.   
     
     
         7 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid channel extends substantially along a length of the bonded abrasive article, such that fluid can travel along the length of the bonded abrasive article. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises a plurality of blades. 
     
     
         10 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of blades extend outward from a bore to the active grinding layer. 
     
     
         11 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of blades has a curved surface. 
     
     
         12 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of blades has a twisted surface. 
     
     
         13 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the internal reservoir is a first internal reservoir, the feature is a first feature, the delivery feature is a first delivery feature, and the contact zone is a first contact zone, the abrasive article further comprising:
 a second internal reservoir, configured to receive the fluid, a second feature configured to change the property of the fluid, and a second delivery feature configured to deliver the fluid to a second contact zone.   
     
     
         17 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The bonded abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the feature is formed from a polymer, a ceramic or a metal. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of making a bonded abrasive article, the method comprising:
 manufacturing an abrasive article preform, wherein the abrasive article preform comprises:   an internal reservoir configured to receive a fluid from an external source; and   a delivery feature configured to deliver the fluid to a contact area;   heating the abrasive article preform to provide the bonded abrasive article; and   providing an acceleration feature into the internal reservoir, wherein the acceleration feature accelerates a flow of the fluid from the internal reservoir to the delivery feature.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein providing the acceleration feature comprises simultaneously manufacturing the acceleration feature with the abrasive article preform, prior to heating. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein providing the acceleration feature comprises inserting the acceleration feature into the internal reservoir after the abrasive article preform is heated to provide the bonded abrasive article. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the acceleration feature comprises ceramic, polymer or metal. 
     
     
         30 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the abrasive article preform comprises a second internal reservoir, with a second acceleration feature, and a second delivery feature configured to deliver accelerated fluid to a second contact area. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the second internal reservoir is separated from the internal reservoir, and wherein the second contact area is a different surface portion of the active grinding surface than the first contact area. 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method of using a bonded abrasive article, the method comprising:
 contacting the bonded abrasive article to a workpiece, wherein the contact is along an active grinding area;   moving the abrasive article with respect to the workpiece;   applying coolant such that the active grinding area is sufficiently lubricant; wherein applying coolant comprises:
 the bonded abrasive article receiving coolant from an external source; 
 adjusting a property of the received coolant while the coolant is within the abrasive article; and 
 distributing the coolant to the active grinding area, from within the abrasive article. 
   
     
     
         41 - 58 . (canceled)