Patent ID: 7455573

Claim:
A device for polishing a component comprising: a reservoir of a polishing liquid including abrasive particles; a nozzle with an opening moveable back and forth over the component defining a series of strokes; a diaphragm pump including: a first pump chamber with a first diaphragm defining a first volume; a second pump chamber with a second diaphragm defining a second volume; a valve assembly having a first position in which polishing fluid is directed from the reservoir to the first pump chamber, and from the second pump chamber to the nozzle, and a second position in which polishing fluid is directed from the reservoir to the second pump chamber, and from the first pump chamber to the nozzle; and diaphragm actuator for driving the first and second diaphragms to expand the first volume and contract the second volume when the valve assembly is in the first position, and to contract the first volume and expand the second volume when the valve assembly is in the second position; and a controller for controlling the valve assembly and the nozzle, whereby the valve assembly changes between the first position and the second position between each stroke of the nozzle; wherein the polishing fluid includes a dilatant additive for increasing the viscosity of the polishing fluid at an interface between the pressurized stream of the polishing fluid and the surface of the component.