Patents by Inventor Robert G. VanOtteren

Robert G. VanOtteren has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Projection welding of an aluminum sheet
    Patent number: 6791056
    Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignees: Newcor, Inc., Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
  • Projection welding of an aluminum sheet
    Publication number: 20030106879
    Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicants: Newcor, Inc., Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
  • Projection welding of an aluminum sheet
    Patent number: 6506998
    Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignees: Newcor, Inc., Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
  • Low inertia bearing for resistance seam welding wheel
    Patent number: 6323453
    Abstract: A seam welding apparatus having an improved bearing support arrangement for the transversely movable upper weld wheel. This upper weld wheel is nonrotatably secured adjacent one end of an elongate electrically conductive shaft, which shaft adjacent its other end is supported within a conventional electrically conductive bearing assembly which rotatably supports the shaft and transmits electrical energy thereto from an external source such as a transformer. The nonrotatable housing associated with the bearing assembly is pivotally supported relative to the machine frame by a pivot which extends adjacent the housing in perpendicular relation to the shaft axis, with this pivot axis being disposed remote from the weld wheel. A welding force generating assembly such as a pressure cylinder and ram are mounted on the machine frame, with the ram being movably supported and acting downwardly onto a spring unit which has an electrical insulator associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Newcor, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. VanOtteren
  • Projection welding of an aluminum sheet
    Publication number: 20010035398
    Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Newcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
  • Projection welding of an aluminum sheet
    Patent number: 6281466
    Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignees: Newcor, Inc., Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella