Methods Patents (Class 219/99)
  • Patent number: 11698097
    Abstract: A method of fitting a fastener to an object is introduced. The fastener has a weldable surface and an engaging portion or a hole portion. One end of the hole portion or one end of the engaging portion has a holding portion. During a welding heating process, solder flows into or enters the holding portion and then cools down and solidifies therein so as to be held therein. Therefore, the weldable surface and the holding portion together enable the fastener to be firmly coupled to an object. The engaging portion and the hole portion together enable an object to be coupled to or removed from another object, so as to couple together and separate at least two objects repeatedly and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: DTECH PRECISION INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ting-Jui Wang
  • Patent number: 11534850
    Abstract: A control unit and method for a joining system having at least one joining station, which is designed to join at least one first joining element to a workpiece, determines actual data with respect to a first joining element joined to a current workpiece by the joining station. The control unit and method determine, in accordance with the actual data, a subsequent control instruction for the joining station for joining a first joining element to a subsequent workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Zandt
  • Patent number: 11524355
    Abstract: A method for welding a welded part to a component is carried out as arc ignition welding by use of direct current, having a bias current phase in which an arc is formed between the negatively polarized welded part and the component, and a subsequent main current phase for melting material to the joint. The welded part: a) is a galvanized sphere made of C10C having a roundness G500, wherein the size of any zinc inclusions under the surface of the sphere equals 10 micrometers at maximum, orb) is formed by welding a galvanized sphere made of C10C having a roundness G500, wherein the size of any zinc inclusions under the surface of the sphere equals 10 micrometers at maximum, to a connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Krippl, Tuba Kurt
  • Patent number: 11517980
    Abstract: A method of laser welding a steel substrate and a ductile iron substrate is disclosed along with a laser welded assembly that may be formed by practicing the disclosed method. The disclosed laser welding method involves forming a laser weld joint between the steel and ductile iron substrates. The laser weld joint includes a fusion zone comprised of austenite ferrous alloy that has a composition derived from intermixing molten portions of the steel and ductile iron substrates as part of the laser welding process. The austenite ferrous alloy that constitutes the fusion zone of the laser weld joint has a carbon content of 2 wt % or more and a nickel equivalent of 60% or more and can be achieved without preheating the steel and ductile iron substrates prior to welding or using a filler wire to introduce a foreign metal into the molten substrate material created by the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Huaxin Li, Sen J. Zhou
  • Patent number: 11376691
    Abstract: A joint structure includes: a first same-type metal member; a second same-type metal member that can be mutually welded with the first same-type metal member; and a different-type member that has a penetrating portion, is interposed between the first same-type metal member and the second same-type metal member. In the plate thickness direction of an emission region in which a laser beam is emitted toward the penetrating portion, the plate thickness at the emission region of the first same-type metal member positioned on the side on which the laser beam is emitted is a predetermined thickness corresponding to a first gap. The first same-type metal member and the second same-type metal member are fused and bonded together via the penetrating portion, and the different-type member is compressed and fixed, such that the different-type member is fixed to the first same-type metal member and the second same-type metal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Kawamoto, Junji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10961712
    Abstract: An anchoring assembly for anchoring a liner of a cured lining material arranged to be applied in liquid form to a metal object provided with the anchoring assembly, the anchoring assembly including an elongated mounting pin and a ferrule provided at a first end thereof, wherein the pin is arranged to be mounted at the first end to the metal object, the anchoring assembly further including a plurality of spaced anchor fins connected to the pin at a second end and extending radially outward relative to the pin, wherein the ferrule includes a radially outwardly extending place holder part arranged to be held by a ferrule holder during mounting of the pin at the first end to the metal object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Silicon Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Jerome Michael Garot, Danielle Francesca Garot, Wouter Garot
  • Patent number: 10494058
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a laminar construction panel comprising a first (1) and a second (2) metal plate and an acoustic insulation layer (3) interposed there between. The first and second metal plates are connected to each other by a number of locally welded joints distributed over the laminar construction panel and extended through an area of an acoustic isolation layer. The welded joints are formed by stud welding, one of the metal plates is provided with welding openings (4), and a welding pin (7) is pushed through the isolation layer against the other metal plate. The welded joints may be formed by spot welding, both metal plates are brought into electrical connection with the spot welding equipment, and the metal plates locally are pressed toward each other in such a way that mutual electrical contact is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Isoleermaterialenindustrie Pull B.V.
    Inventor: Sander Smits
  • Patent number: 10434594
    Abstract: The invention provides an ignition flux for arc stud welding, including 30-55 wt % SiO2, 30-55 wt % NiO, 10-35 wt % AlF3, and 5-25 wt % NiF2, or including 30-55 wt % TiO2, 30-55 wt % NiO, 10-35 wt % AlF3, and 5-25 wt % NiF2. As such, the electric arc can be easily created and smoothly formed. The invention further provides an arc stud welding method utilizing such ignition flux. As such, the fastener and the metal workpiece can be tightly connected together without the need of inserting an ignition tip into the welding portion of a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL PINGTUNG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Kuang-Hung Tseng
  • Patent number: 10010967
    Abstract: A component composite includes a first component having a first contact surface and at least one second component having a second contact surface contacting the first contact surface, the first contact surface having a surface structure which has a microstructure which is superposed by a nanostructure, the contact of the second contact surface on the first contact surface taking place by at least partially melting the material of the second component, and the melting point of the material of the first component being higher than the melting point of the material of the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Honer, Reiner Ramsayer
  • Patent number: 9744615
    Abstract: A stud welding process may be performed by a power supply that is adapted for other welding processes, such as MIG, TIG, and so forth. A stud welding gun may receive studs preloaded in a magazine or other support. Studs are charged into the chuck of a stud welding gun and positioned where desired over a surface. An extension, such as a wire-type electrode may extend from the stud and aid in establishing the welding arc. The stud may be shielded by a nozzle or other shield to obviate the need for ceramic ferrules. Orientation of the stud welding gun may be detected, displayed and used as a basis for initiating and completing the stud welding process once the gun and/or stud is properly positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jerald Edward Jones, Valerie L. Rhoades, Todd Earl Holverson, Adam N. Cuneo, Stephen K. Madden
  • Publication number: 20150144602
    Abstract: A welding auxiliary joining part in the shape of a stud having a head, a shank and a tip is disclosed. The welding auxiliary joining part is driven into a component made of a non- or poorly weldable material by means of a setting method. A welding head is created during driving-in due to mechanical deformation such that subsequently the component can be connected by welding via the welding auxiliary joining part to a further component made of a weldable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Torsten Draht, Sergej Hartwig-Biglau
  • Publication number: 20150060415
    Abstract: The invention provides for a method of welding a stud to a work piece using a ferrule, whereby during the stud welding process, the stud is properly centered within a bore of the ferrule and wherein molten weld material formed during the stud welding process is confined to the bore of the ferrule and gases formed during the welding are vented out of the ferrule through and upper portion of the bore. The invention further provides for a ferrule having a body having at least one rib which extends inwardly from an inner wall of the body proximate to an upper surface and which defines at least one groove. During a welding operation, the at least one rib is configured to center a stud within the ferrule, and the at least one groove is configured to allow gases formed during the welding operation to vent out of the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Clark B. Champney
  • Publication number: 20150001189
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fastening dissimilar metals like steel and aluminum utilizes a steel rivet and a spot welding machine. The rivet and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the rivet to penetrate the aluminum and weld to the steel layer. The fastener may be used to join stacks with several layers of different materials and may be used to apply a threaded socket or stud made from steel or titanium to an aluminum or magnesium alloy structure. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastic and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using the fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Donald J. Spinella, Daniel Bergstrom
  • Publication number: 20140312008
    Abstract: A system for drawn arc stud welding that includes a drawn arc stud welding device; a substrate; a stud for attachment to the substrate; a modified ferrule; and modified flux. The ferrule is placed around the stud in the welding device prior to attaching the stud to the substrate and further includes a ferrule body having inner and outer surfaces and top and bottom surfaces. The ferrule body has been modified to include tapered inner walls, smoothed inner surfaces, beveled inner surfaces, notched bottom surfaces, or combinations thereof. The flux has been bound to or integrated with the inner surfaces and bottom surfaces of the ferrule body and has been modified to have a particle size of less than about 1200 ?m. The flux is placed outside of the arc path generated by the stud welding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: David P. WORKMAN, Seth C. Shira
  • Patent number: 8803022
    Abstract: The invention relates to a welding head for a welding device for welding components which are not rotationally symmetrical onto workpieces such as for example metal sheets, with a head attachment, the head attachment having a holding device for the component and being designed for carrying a welding current to the component, wherein the holding device is mechanically connected by means of a connecting device to an interface device, via which the welding current can be supplied, the connecting device being subdivided into a first connection piece and a second connection piece, which are electrically insulated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8704121
    Abstract: The present technology relates to adjustment mechanisms for control settings on stud weld tools. Stud welding tools typically have a body that comprises a handle, a front end and a rear end. In one aspect, the present technology relates to plunge adjustment mechanisms for stud welding tools that are located at the front end of a stud welding tool and provide an adjustment knob for manual plunge adjustment. Another aspect of the present technology relates to weld heat adjustment mechanisms for stud welding tools that are located at the rear end of a stud welding tool and provide an adjustment knob for manual weld heat adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Blake Hobson, Scott Zeeb
  • Patent number: 8653402
    Abstract: A joining method head is proposed for fixation to a movable frame, in particular to a robot, having a holding means for an element to be joined to a part, a joining drive means to move the holding means along a joining direction for joining, and a feeding means for feeding elements to the joining method head. Here a control means to control the joining drive means is arranged at the joining method head spatially distanced from the holding means and the joining drive means, so that the holding means and the joining drive means form a joining tool of small dimensions, and means are provided to pass on the elements fed to a transfer station of the feeding means in each instance to the holding means from in front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Manfred Müller, Wolfgang Obermann, Michael Krengel, Klaus Gisbert-Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8552332
    Abstract: Provided are a bolt for projection welding and a method of welding the same in which a portion of large fusion depth is formed in a small region and in which junction to a steel sheet part is secured in other regions, thereby realizing high weld strength and stable junction state. A bolt includes a shaft part, an enlarged diameter part, and a fusion bonding projection, the fusion bonding projection including an initial fusion part having at an end surface thereof a tapered portion and a main fusion part continuous with the initial fusion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8513569
    Abstract: A drawn arc welding process that includes the steps of providing a work piece, providing a welding tool holding a metal object onto the work piece, providing a power supply outputting a preset current, providing an arc voltage sensing device, lifting the metal object and drawing a pilot arc current, energizing a welding current locally melting the metal object and forming a weld pool in the work piece, measuring an arc voltage, predicting the arc voltage for a remaining time of the welding process, regulating the time of the welding process wherein the measured arc voltage and predicted arc voltage are utilized to control a desired energy input set point, and plunging the fastener into the locally melted work piece forming a weld between the metal object and the work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Nelson Stud Welding, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hsu, Jeffrey J. Krupp
  • Patent number: 8507824
    Abstract: A cart that uniformly transverses floor decking that has sequential peaks and valleys. The cart comprises a wheel assembly having an array of wheels forming rows and columns of wheels positioned under the cart wherein at any given instant of time a number of the wheels of the rows and columns contact peaks of the floor decking and while other wheels extend over and free from contacting the valleys such that the cart uniformly traverses the floor decking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: New Rule Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Martin
  • Patent number: 8505772
    Abstract: A container for packing and shipping stud welding ferrule aligned along a spindle. The container comprises a body having a top, a bottom, opposing side walls and opposing end walls defining a storage space therein. The container further comprises a spindle retainer operatively connected to the body. The spindle retainer has a transverse portion and a longitudinal portion connected to the transverse portion. The transverse portion extends from one of the end walls and toward and into the storage space, while the longitudinal portion extends from the transverse portion and toward the bottom of the body. The transverse portion and the longitudinal portion are sized and shaped to accept and to retain ends of the spindle to contain the spindle within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: New Rule Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Martin
  • Patent number: 8502106
    Abstract: A welding system and method having power controller with workpiece sensor. In some embodiments, the welding system includes a stud welding power supply having a welding power output, a stud welding power controller, and a workpiece sensor. The stud welding power controller may be communicatively coupled to the stud welding power supply and the workpiece sensor. In certain embodiments, the stud welding power controller is responsive to a signal from the workpiece sensor indicative of a position of a stud in general proximity or engagement with a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ulrich, Sean Moran, Paul Leitermann
  • Publication number: 20130105449
    Abstract: A method for feeding a component to a component holder and for joining the component onto a work piece in a joining direction, the method comprising the steps of: turning the component holder to a transfer position in which the component holder is aligned with a feed channel, wherein it is turned about an axis that is aligned transversely relative to the joining direction; feeding the component, through the feed channel, into the component holder; turning the component holder to a joining position; and performing a joining operation, including moving a slide bearing the component holder in the joining direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventor: NEWFREY LLC
  • Publication number: 20130015163
    Abstract: A stud welding process may be performed by a power supply that is adapted for other welding processes, such as MIG, TIG, and so forth. A stud welding gun may receive studs preloaded in a magazine or other support. Studs are charged into the chuck of a stud welding gun and positioned where desired over a surface. An extension, such as a wire-type electrode may extend from the stud and aid in establishing the welding arc. The stud may be shielded by a nozzle or other shield to obviate the need for ceramic ferrules. Orientation of the stud welding gun may be detected, displayed and used as a basis for initiating and completing the stud welding process once the gun and/or stud is properly positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald Edward Jones, Valerie L. Rhoades, Todd Earl Holverson, Adam N. Cuneo, Stephen K. Madden
  • Patent number: 8344287
    Abstract: A method for determination of electrical variables of a welding circuit which is connected to an electrical power supply device and operable to provide either a welding current or a lesser pilot current, the method including the steps of (a) determining the resistance of the welding circuit and (b) determining the inductance of the welding circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Klaus-Gisbert Schmitt, Udo Schulz, Wolfgang Schmidt, Heiko Scheffler
  • Patent number: 8344280
    Abstract: The invention relates to a joining head arrangement for joining components, such as studs, onto a workpiece. The joining head arrangement comprises a housing and a slide that is mounted on the housing and is movable, by means of a linear drive, in a joining direction in relation to the housing. The joining head further comprises a component holder, arranged on the slide, and operable to hold a component during a joining operation. A feed device delivers components, at a transfer location, to the component holder. The component holder is rotatable about an axis, which is aligned transversely relative to the joining direction, from a transfer position to a joining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Michael Schneider, Karl Heinz Briehl, Alexander Schug, Jochen Hain
  • Patent number: 8110773
    Abstract: A heat adjustment mechanism for a stud welding tool comprises an adjustment knob comprising adjustment ribs, a solenoid sleeve that moveably engages the adjustment knob, and that receives a solenoid, wherein the solenoid is configured to engage a fastener, and the solenoid is connected to the solenoid sleeve by the fastener, a clutch comprising adjustment ribs that engage the adjustment ribs on the adjustment knob, and a clutch spring that exerts force on the clutch. A weld heat setting adjustment may be made by solenoid movement of from about 0.15 mm to about 0.30 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: Blake Hobson, Scott Zeeb
  • Patent number: 8079506
    Abstract: A stud welding apparatus comprises a feeder to receive a plurality of studs and feed the stud one by one with the stud being fed in advance of a weld portion thereof from an outlet of the feeder; and a welding gun to receive the stud as fed from the feeder through a feeding pipe to hold the stud and to weld the stud to a workpiece. The outlet of the feeder is provided with a shuttle loader wherein a hollow shuttle is loaded to a rod body of the stud to extend the length of a short stud, so that the shuttle loaded stud is lengthened as a whole to prevent the shuttle loaded stud from tumbling in the feeding pipe and/or a stud path in the welding gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Kazushige Sano, Daisuke Miura
  • Publication number: 20110142566
    Abstract: A welding stud includes a shank and a head flange, which projects radially relative to the shank and whose outer circumference is of polygonal design in order to be able to apply a test torque (T) to the stud by means of a tool. The flange includes an annular section (16) whose front facing and radially extending annular surface is designed as a welding surface. The annular section directly adjoins the flange, and the annular section and the flange form a head section which has a uniform outside diameter (D) throughout, and wherein the polygonal shape of the flange extends over the annular section up to its front annular surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Frank DREXLER, Joachim SCHNEIDER, Hans-Gerhard KORTMANN
  • Patent number: 7893382
    Abstract: An appartus and method for a stud welder power source is disclosed. The power source has a control circuit connected to an inverter which converts an electrical signal from a power source into an electrical signal that can perform stud welding. The inverter conditions the power signal such that a current of at least 1000 amps can be generated nearly instantaneously. Additionally, having a power source that includes a control circuit with an inverter allows for a smaller and lighter appartus when compared to known stud welders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Illionois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Patrick Moran, Tim Alan Matus, Mark Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20100288735
    Abstract: A method for determination of electrical variables of a welding circuit which is connected to an electrical power supply device and operable to provide either a welding current or a lesser pilot current, the method including the steps of (a) determining the resistance of the welding circuit and (b) determining the inductance of the welding circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Klaus-Gisbert SCHMITT, Udo SCHULZ, Wolfgang SCHMIDT, Heiko SCHEFFLER
  • Publication number: 20100288736
    Abstract: A weld stud 10 comprises a weld flange adapted to be welded to a workpiece and a portion integrally formed with the weld flange. The flange has a surface to be welded. The surface includes a flattened annular portion of a predetermined radial width at an outer periphery thereof and a conical recess conically formed from the annular portion to the center thereof, so that only the annular portion is welded to the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventor: Daisuke MIURA
  • Publication number: 20100276400
    Abstract: The invention relates to a joining head arrangement for joining components, such as studs, onto a workpiece. The joining head arrangement comprises a housing and a slide that is mounted on the housing and is movable, by means of a linear drive, in a joining direction in relation to the housing. The joining head further comprises a component holder, arranged on the slide, and operable to hold a component during a joining operation. A feed device delivers components, at a transfer location, to the component holder. The component holder is rotatable about an axis, which is aligned transversely relative to the joining direction, from a transfer position to a joining position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Michael SCHNEIDER, Karl Heinz BRIEHL, Alexander SCHUG, Jochen HAIN
  • Publication number: 20100176093
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of short-time stud joining, a first workpiece, such as a stud for example, being joined with its end face onto a joining surface of a second workpiece, such as a metal sheet for example, with the steps of: a) creating an arc between the end face and the joining surface in order to begin melting the end face and/or the joining surface, and b) lowering the first workpiece onto the second workpiece and switching off a joining current (Is), so that the melt cools down and a rigidly joined connection is obtained between the first and second workpieces. In this case, the first workpiece is advanced at least once in the direction of the second workpiece between steps a) and b), in order to achieve an interim short-circuit of the arc, and is subsequently withdrawn again, in order once again to draw an arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventor: Klaus-Gisbert SCHMITT
  • Patent number: 7476826
    Abstract: A fastening system with a weld stud having an annular weldment portion and a fracturable nut is provided. The fracturable nut and stud construction is configured to fail under torsional load prior to the structural parts failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Sivakumar Ramasamy, Mark H Delcourt
  • Patent number: 7451893
    Abstract: This invention relates to a ferrule dispenser for dispensing stud welding ferrules and to a package of ferrules for use with the dispenser. The dispenser comprises a rod that supports a spring loaded cam system. The cam system moves relative to the rod and includes a compression spring and a cam. The spring and cam work together to bias a pair of ferrule release pins inward and outward of the rod, selectively holding ferrules on an outer surface of the rod or releasing them onto a work surface. The package of ferrules used with the dispenser includes multiple sets of ferrules, each set including multiple ferrules uniformly stacked on a spindle. Each spindle has one open end that can pass through an opening in a handle of the dispenser and down a center bore of the dispenser for loading the ferrules from the spindle onto the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Gerald D Martin
  • Patent number: 7416393
    Abstract: A gas turbine rotor and a method for manufacturing a gas turbine rotor having integral blading, is disclosed. A rotor blade has a blade pan and a blade footing connected to the blade pan. The blade footing is designed with a V-shaped cross section in at least some portions and the blade footing is welded to a rotor mount by capacitor discharge welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Karl-Hermann Richter
  • Patent number: 7339133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stud welding method, particularly for welding without a supporting foot, which makes it possible to securely detect the presence or the absence of a part to be welded in the stud holding device. For this purpose, in a first embodiment of the method, the stud holding device is first positioned in a pre-determined distance relative to the surface of the workpiece without a part to be welded. Then, a part to be welded is supplied. When the welding axle moves towards the workpiece, the distance which has to be covered until the part to be welded contacts the workpiece is detected. On the basis of the previously determined distance between the stud holding device and the workpiece and on the basis of the distance covered, conclusions on the presence or the absence of a part to be welded may be drawn. In another embodiment, the stud holding device is moved towards the workpiece together with a part to be welded until a contact is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventors: Ulrich Citrich, Jurgen Madsak
  • Patent number: 7335849
    Abstract: A method of welding a stud 15 to a base material 14, both made of magnesium or magnesium alloy, comprising; a first step of disposing the stud 15 having a projection 28 at an end portion thereof to have a gap to the base material 14; a second step of lowering the stud 15 rapidly; and a third step of welding the end portion of the stud 15 to the base material 14 by discharging an electric charge stored in a capacitor 11 between the base material 14 and the stud 15, each having an oxide layer destroyed by the rapid lowering of the stud 15, wherein the discharge of the capacitor 11 is carried out by applying a pulse signal having a duration of more than 0.1 seconds to a gate of a thyristor 13 as a signal to start welding, the thyristor 13 serving as a discharge switch of the capacitor 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Junichi Mizoguchi
  • Publication number: 20080006613
    Abstract: A short resistant welder that includes, in some embodiments, a short circuit sensor configured to transmit a first signal indicative of a short circuit between a workpiece and a stud, and a stud welding controller communicatively coupled to the short circuit sensor. In certain embodiments, the stud welding controller is configured to transmit an increase-current control signal to a power supply in response to the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Ulrich, Sean Moran, Kenneth C. Altekruse, Ben Newcomb
  • Patent number: 7291802
    Abstract: A joining system head (22) is proposed for fixation to a movable frame (12), in particular to a robot (12), having a holding means (66) for an element (36) to be joined to a part (38), a joining drive means (64) to move the holding means (66) along a joining direction (40) for joining, and a feeding means (44) for feeding elements (36) to the joining system head (22). Here a control means (42) to control the joining drive means (64) is arranged at the joining system head (22) spatially distanced from the holding means (66) and the joining drive means (64), so that the holding means (66) and the joining drive means (64) form a joining tool (32) of small dimensions, and means (68) are provided to pass on the elements (36) fed to a transfer station (46) of the feeding means (44) in each instance to the holding means (66) from in front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Manfred Müller, Wolfgang Obermann, Michael Krengel, Klaus Gisbert Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7282662
    Abstract: A weld stud includes a cylindrical body having an outer surface and opposing first and second ends. At least one groove is formed in the outer surface of the cylindrical body. The groove extends helically about the cylindrical body from the first end toward the second end of the cylindrical body. A thread is formed on the cylindrical body and extends longitudinally from the first end towards the second end of the cylindrical body. The thread projects radially outward from the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Nelson Stud Welding, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark Champney, Terry Sterling
  • Patent number: 7279653
    Abstract: A process and a system are proposed for short-time arc-welding elements, such as for example metal studs, on to components, such as for example metal sheets, wherein an element in the context of a welding operation is initially raised in relation to the component, a welding arc is formed between the element and the component, and the element is lowered again, the lifting height of the element in relation to the component being detected at least within a time segment between raising and lowering of the element. The initiation of the lowering operation and/or the lowering operation itself is controlled as a factor of the detected lifting height such that a previously specified total welding time is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmidt, Arne Friedrich, Klaus G Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7262383
    Abstract: A feed device for fastening elements with low length-to-diameter ratio has a hollow clamp into which individual fastening elements are inserted through a feed channel. The clamp has an internal pocket for pre-positioning a fastening element. A piston moves through the feed channel to engage the fastening element and to open the clamp to release the fastening element for further movement by the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Dieter Mauer
  • Patent number: 7227096
    Abstract: A welding stud is attachable to a workpiece at a work end portion shaped for enhanced attachment strength with the workpiece. The welding stud has a portion of reduced thickness along a body portion between the work end portion and a retaining collar. The reduced thickness portion is furnished to yield or bend in the event of contact by some other body or piece and preserve the integrity of the attachment weld. The work end portion may also have an enlarged contact face with increased surface area for forming the weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Southern Stud Weld, Inc.
    Inventor: David D. Barton
  • Patent number: 7223934
    Abstract: A hand welding device for short-time arc welding of elements, such as metal studs, onto parts, such as metal sheets, having a handlable housing, a holding means mounted on the housing to hold an element to be welded onto a part, a reciprocating means mounted on the housing to advance and restore the holding means relative to the housing, and positioning means mounted on the housing to maintain a predetermined distance from the part, is proposed. Further, a corresponding welding apparatus having such a hand welding device and a welding gauge fastened to the part, is proposed. Here the positioning means are offset to the rear relative to the anterior end of the holding means, so that the positioning means are suitable for being supported on the welding gauge to maintain the predetermined distance. For this purpose, a vertically adjustable stop is provided on a welding gauge according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Bernhard Göbel, Hans-Gerhard Kortmann
  • Patent number: 7176401
    Abstract: A method of welding a stud (11) is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a welding system is provided for a weld stud (11). A further aspect of the present invention employs a weld stud (11) with a substantially conical end section (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Kanji Sakoda
  • Patent number: 7170026
    Abstract: In an arc stud welding device and method, after initial contact of a stud with a component (welded component) to which it is to be welded, the stud is lifted by an amount that permits a proper arc to be formed, even if the welded component was depressed by the initial contact with the stud. After melting of the tip of the stud and a portion of the welded component, the stud is pressed securely into the welded component to weld the stud to the welded component, with the welded component being depressed by the stud to an extent greater than that caused by the initial contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Hideharu Nakagami
  • Patent number: 7166815
    Abstract: A short-time arc welding system and method for welding elements on parts includes: a robot having an arm moveable in at least one coordinate axis; a welding head mounted on the arm having a holding device to hold an element, and a lifting device for advancing and returning the holding device, and; a measuring system for determining a relative position between the part and the element. The measuring system includes: a foot mounted on the welding head which contacts the part during operation to determine the relative position; and a positioning device to position the foot relative to the element in at least two different operating positions. A storage device stores a plurality of welding positions. The measuring system positions the foot in an operating position for each stored welding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Reinhold Broehl
  • Patent number: 7141753
    Abstract: An arc stud welding device and method are provided, in which a stud is pulled up to an appropriate predetermined height, even after a portion of a flexible base material is dented by the stud and has returned to an original flat condition. A controller operates a linear motor to disengage the stud from the base material, operates a power source to generate a pilot arc and a main arc, and reverses the operation of the linear motor to press the stud against the base material for welding. When the stud is pulled up from the base material, the controller detects the position of disengagement of the stud from the base material, and the linear motor pulls up the stud to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Kondo, Daisuke Miura