Abstract: An improvement in high power electron beam guns including a non-inductive high-voltage cable for supplying power to the gun having barriers for preventing air leakage from inside the cable into the vacuum chamber. The gun includes a support for its cathode and filament, which transmits heat developed in these elements to a heat sink so that dimensional accuracy is maintained in the electron beam generating elements. Provision is made for quick release of cable terminations from the gun receptacle and for maintaining a given pressure in insulating grease placed between mating sufaces of plugs and receptacles.

Abstract: An optical system for use in an electron beam welding machine for viewing workpieces mounted within a vacuum chamber from a position outside the chamber, either before or during the welding operation. The optical system includes an automatic motorized means for adjusting the focus of the system to accommodate different electron beam gun to work distances, and simultaneously to automatically adjust the angle with respect to the axis of the electron beam along which the view of the area being welded is to be observed. A transparent disc, which may be rotated step by step about its central axis in approximately 30.degree. increments is mounted so that a portion of its surface near its periphery is interposed in the viewing path so as to shield the optical parts of the viewing system from the vapors and radiations which are generated during the electron beam welding process. A means for illuminating only the area on the work surface which is to be viewed is also provided with a similar shielding means.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for practicing the gas tungsten arc welding process which includes means for rotating the welding torch continuously while welding. Means are provided for feeding the shielding gases, feed wire and electric current to the rotating torch while welding. Means are also provided for tilting the torch about the point of welding. This invention makes it possible to weld continuously along a spiral path about a cylindrical object or on a flat or irregular surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting the undeflected resting position of an electron beam which has been displaced from its previous resting position because of physical or positional changes in elements of the electron gun which is generating the electron beam. The electron beam is directed towards a detector which determines the direction and amplitude of the deviation along mutually perpendicular axes of the point of impingement of the electron beam from a given reference point. The signals generated by the detector, in cooperation with a computer-controlled deflection system of the electron gun, cause the beam to be displaced in a series of iterative steps to the reference point. The distance and direction of the beam from its resting position to the reference point is maintained in the memory of the computer.

Abstract: An automatic welding and annealing machine and specifically a machine for producing unique piston connecting rod assemblies utilized in compressors used in automotive air conditioning systems. The parts produced by this machine are comprised of a rod approximately one-quarter of one inch in diameter and one and three-quarters inch long to which steel balls of approximately one-half inch diameter are welded at each end. These parts are to be used as connecting rods for variable displacement piston pumps. The machine incorporates feeding mechanisms for feeding the separate parts to the welding station and then to the annealing station and also includes a laser inspection apparatus for checking the dimensions of the rods and of the welded and annealed parts, to see that they are within set tolerances. Measuring devices are also provided for monitoring and controlling the electric currents and forces used during welding and annealing of the parts.

Abstract: Machine for friction welding two parts comprising a first non-rotatable means for clamping the first of the two parts and a second rotatable means for clamping the second part. The machine is characterized in that the first non-rotatable clamping means is movable along the axis of rotation of the second means and in that the second rotatable clamping means is made up of a motorized mandril and a headstock clamping between them the second part, this headstock being movable along the axis of rotation and being provided with means for the support of the two pieces co-axially.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for surface hardening metals by means of a concentrated beam of electrons. The electron beam is directed and focused to a desired spot on the surface of the said workpiece and is caused to move incrementally from one to the next of a predetermined pattern of points on the work surface. The beam is directed to each point in turn for a predetermined length of time and moved from point to point at a relatively rapid rate. The pattern is projected over the desired surface of the work a predetermined number of times so that the material to be heat treated is brought above the transformation temperature and maintained below the melting temperature by close control of the electron beam parameters. A programmable computer retains in its memory a number of predetermined displacement patterns for the electron beam and controls all the electron beam gun parameters and all machine functions.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing means for a high production electron beam welding machine incorporating a rotary indexing table carrying parts to be welded from a loading position to a welding position under a stationery electron beam gun and then to an unloading station. Sealable pockets on the rotating index table carrying the parts to be welded are carried through a sealed off low volume space into a first pre-pumping station where air in the pocket is brought to a pressure intermediate between the atmospheric pressure and the pressure required during the welding of the parts. After pre-pumping, the pockets are indexed to a second pumped area where the pocket is evacuated to the pressure suitable for welding. The table is then indexed through an area at the pre-pumping pressure and then through another sealed off space at atmospheric pressure to the ejection station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manufacture of rotary drill bits such as are used for oil well drilling which are constructed from a multiplicity of segments. The segments are provided with registration means for positioning the segments relative to one another and are placed in a fixture where they are sized to a desired outer diameter without sliding the faces of the segment one against the other during the sizing operation. The faces are then brought into abutment, clamped and welded along the abutting surfaces between segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for the working of materials in a vacuum by means of an electron beam. A vacuum machining facility incorporating a first chamber which includes a longitudinal gap which determines a vacuum tight area around the machining line of the parts to be machined, a flexible sealing strip to plug the gap and a second leakproof chamber which houses an electron gun. The second chamber abutting the first chamber, includes an orifice located close to the gap through which the electron beam passes. The second chamber is movable on the first chamber along the gap. An apparatus is included which moves the plugging strip out of and to the side of the gap in the proximity of the orifice, the plugging strip being fully housed inside the gap except in the region close to the orifice.

Abstract: The invention concerns an electron gun for the production of an electron beam designed primarily for welding workpieces and including, in a frame, the mechanical facilities required for holding in a coaxial position and electrically insulating a cathode, a filament, a wehnelt and an anode.Gun featured by the fact that the cathode is held by mechanical systems in the coaxial position via several rods made of conductive material, one end of these rods being rigidly fixed with respect to the frame, the other end being applied against the outer wall of the disc shaped cathode, thus forming a positioning clamp for said cathode.The structure allows for the efficient cooling of the internal parts of the gun.

Abstract: A transformer for application in portable resistance welding machines assembled from toroidal sections of iron core, primary and secondary windings arranged concentrically one with another. The primary is constructed from copper plate modules so as to form a continuous single layer winding of toroidal form in which the separate modules are electron-beam welded one to another in order to form the continuous primary winding. A single turn secondary completely encloses the primary winding and iron core so as to form a compact cylindrical electrical transformer structure. A liquid electrical insulating material is sealed within narrow gaps between iron core, primary winding and secondary winding to allow good thermal transfer from these elements to a cooling medium and at the same time stabilize the relative position of these elements against the dynamic forces developed by the high currents passing through the secondary.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the relative position between the point of impingement of an electron beam on a work surface and the seam between parts to be welded. The seam is scanned by oscillating a low power electron beam along a path transverse to the scan. The variation in secondary electrons generated as the beam traverses the seam is detected and amplified. The amplified signal is then acted upon by an electronic converter which converts the wave form by instantaneously taking the Nth root at each point of the curve representing the wave form of the amplified secondary electron current wave form so as to improve the resolution of the signal and make possible an improved definition at the point of impingement of the beam with respect to the seam.

Abstract: Portable direct current resistance welding apparatus incorporating a flexible cable assembly comprising a pair of flexible conductors maintained at a fixed distance from one another with restraining means which prevent the separate cables from moving one with respect to the other. A flexible sleeve holds the conductors in parallel relationship to one another at a distance of at least four inches by means of a multiplicity of separating and restraining means fastened to the sleeve at intervals along its length while retaining full flexibility in the cable assembly.

Abstract: This invention is for a method for controlling the motion of an electron beam gun with respect to a workpiece so that the electron beam will follow the path along the seam between the two parts which are to be welded. The electron beam scans the seam in a circular motion. The center of the circle is offset a distance equal to the radius of the circle ahead of the resting position of the electron beam in the direction of travel, by applying the signals R (sin .omega.t + sin .theta.) and R (cos .omega.t + .theta.) to deflection coils which deflect the beam along two mutually perpendicular axes whose origin is at the resting position of the beam. Control of the motion of the electron beam gun with respect to the workpiece is achieved from signals derived as the seam is scanned by the circular motion of the electron beam in the area including the seam. The signals are in the form of pulses generated by the reduction in secondary and reflected electrons as the electron beam traverses the seam.

Abstract: This invention relates to a welding torch for practicing the gas metal arc process in the welding of thick square edged plates which are separated by a narrow gap. The torch includes a heat resistant tube for providing electrical contact with the moving wire, means for removing heat rapidly from the end of the torch, heat and electrical insulating means surrounding the contact means, and means for preventing weld spatter from adhering to the insulating means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring parameters which control the quality of welds made by the rotating arc method. Total electrical energy delivered to the parts being welded is controlled and its analog divided by the time during which this energy was applied to obtain average rate of energy delivered. Total mechanical work done on parts being welded and the mechanical relative displacement of machine platens is measured and work analog is divided electronically by the displacement analog to determine average mechanical work per unit of displacement. The two averages thus obtained are compared to preset levels of average electrical energy and mechanical work which have been established empirically. Indicators warn the operator of any variation from the norm. Separate indications and comparisons are also made of each of the parameters.