Miscellaneous Patents (Class 228/57)
  • Patent number: 5992001
    Abstract: A continuously cast strand is cut into elongated billets having ends and the billets are run through a rolling stand. after cutting the strand into billets and before rolling the billets one of the billets is engaged in the rolling stand and a trailing end of the one billet and a leading end of another billet are enclosed in a mold with the ends longitudinally spaced. This space between the ends is filled with molten metal in contact with the ends of the billets and the molten metal is hardened to interconnect the billet ends. Then the mold is removed from around the billet ends. The molten metal is of substantially the same composition as the billets. Furthermore the one billet is advanced in a travel direction by means of the stand and the mold and the other billet are advanced synchronously with the one billet after enclosing the billet ends in the mold. The mold is removed from the billet ends before the hardened metal between the billet ends enters the rolling stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Roloff, Hans-Georg Hartung, Friedrich Wilhelm Hollmann, Paul-Josef Mauk
  • Patent number: 5992726
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for setting welding run-off tabs in a coil end joiner which includes a support table having a U-channel therein, the U-channel having an opening through a base portion thereof, a left hold down clamp and a right hold down clamp positioned to either side of the U-channel over the support table, a first angled member having an actuator which provides horizontal movement of the first angled member, the first angled member extending upwardly through the opening in the base portion of the U-channel and contacting a corresponding second angled member such that horizontal movement of the first angled member results in vertical movement of the top surface of the second angled member which is parallel to the top surface of the support table. A rear welding run-off tab holder member having a U-channel therein is positioned over the second angled member and includes a rear welding run-off tab clamp which is positioned at a rear end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Iron Bay
    Inventor: Steve Shaffer
  • Patent number: 5994665
    Abstract: Sheet bars are effectively joined while they are traveling and subjected to continuous hot rolling without causing defects in quality and without requiring large expensive apparatus such as a swing roller etc.The present invention is to provide a continuous hot rolling method and apparatus in which the tail of a preceding sheet bar is butted to the top of a succeeding sheet bar between the rough and finishing mills on a continuous hot rolling line, and the butted portion is welded from the upper surface of the sheet bars by means of laser beam or plasma arc while the sheet bars are traveling.According to the present invention, it is possible to join sheet bars from the upper surface in a short period of time without stopping the sheet bars and without causing splashes and burrs, before the sheet bars are subjected to continuous finish rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Nishibayashi, Masahiro Ohara, Katsuhiro Minamida, Tadatsugu Yoshida, Rokuro Kohno, Atsushi Sugihashi
  • Patent number: 5979738
    Abstract: A machine for flash-butt welding of rails, incorporates two tong-type clamping devices made in the form of two two-arm levers carried by a common central axle with insulation from each other and capable of being displaced along the axle relative to each other by two flashing-upsetting hydraulic cylinders connecting them and having bimetal current-carrying rods. Each of the two-arm levers is hinged at one end to the rod or the clamping hydraulic cylinder case, respectively, and the other end is fitted with the clamping and current-carrying jaws. Two welding transformers built into the hollow two-arm levers of one of the two tong-type clamps are joined by current-carrying jumpers through the current-carrying part of the rods of the flashing-upsetting hydraulic cylinders to the current-carrying clamping jaws. A clamping hydraulic cylinder is made with a hydraulic intensifier built into its rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: E.P. Paton Electric Welding
    Inventors: Sergei I. Kuchuk-Yatsenko, Vassilii A. Sakharnov, Valerii G. Krivenko, Mikhail V. Bogorskii, Fedor K. Porkhun, Victor N. Golovachev, Alexandr P. Miroshnickenko, Victor Gr. Shkurko, Fedor A. Andrienko, Yaroslav I. Mikitin
  • Patent number: 5961025
    Abstract: An apparatus for splicing a trailing edge of a first web currently used for a web product with a leading edge of a second web to be used after the first web, comprises a cutting device for cutting the first and second web simultaneously on the superimposed condition so as to form a trailing edge of the first web and a leading edge of the second web, an overlapping device for overlapping the leading edge of the second web on or beneath the trailing edge of the first web so as to form a overlapped section with a predetermined overlapped width; and a ultrasonic welder for welding the overlapped section so as to form a joint section at which the trailing edge of the first web is spliced with the leading edge of the second web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Sachio Fukumoto, Naohiro Yamamoto, Syuichi Nakajima, Toshio Hirayama
  • Patent number: 5957367
    Abstract: A continuous rolling method includes the steps of: flash-butt welding a rear end of a preceding billet with a front end of a succeeding billet; grinding the welded portion to remove a burr on the welded portion; heating the continuous billet; and rolling the continuous billet through a series of rolling mills. The flash-butt welding step includes joining the rear end of the preceding billet with the front end of the succeeding billet by using the stationary welder and joining the billets having at least double the length of the preceding billet by using the travelling welder. A continuous rolling apparatus includes a stationary flash-butt welder, a travelling flash-butt welder, a travelling grinding machine, an induction heater and a series of continuous rolling mills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Giichi Matsuo, Susumu Okawa
  • Patent number: 5948295
    Abstract: A splicing machine for connecting metallic bands including at least three toolings determining successively the cutting profile of both edges (m1, m2) to be connected, the welding of both edges on to one another and the flattening of the welded matter in excess. The machine includes a tool carriage (3) mounted to slide parallel to the running direction of the bands (M1, M2) on which are mounted to slide, perpendicular to the running direction, at least two supporting chassis (41, 51), each for one of the connecting toolings (4,5), a motor and a worm (32) for positioning either connecting tooling (4,5) in a common working position, by sliding the tool carriage (3) and apparatus to control the transversal sliding motion of the corresponding tooling for the actuation of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Kvaerner Metals Clecim
    Inventors: Jean Perret, Marc Valence, Brahim Zennaf, Jean-Pierre Rivollier
  • Patent number: 5931370
    Abstract: Method is for welding billets leaving a heating furnace in a rolling line, the line including, in the segment (10) between the heating furnace (11) and the first rolling stand, at least a drawing unit (14), a rollerway to transport the billets, a movable welding assembly (20) with welding jaws (31) and an emergency shears (13). The trailing end of the billet (12a) being rolled is welded to the leading end of the billet (12b) unloaded afterwards from the furnace (11) while the billets (12) are in movement by a welding assembly (20) mounted on a movable trolley (19). The movable trolley (19) is taken substantially to the rolling speed, grips the billets (12) with the jaws (31) of the welding unit (20) and welds the ends of the billets (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Mirco Marchiori, Milorad Pavlicevic, Nuredin Kapaj
  • Patent number: 5890645
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously feeding the wire to a wire cutting apparatus. The present invention provides a pair of mandrels provided in an in-line configuration and provided on a turntable. An active coil is loaded onto one of the mandrels while a idle coil is loaded onto the other mandrel. As the wire is being pulled to the wire cutting apparatus from the active coil the tail end of the active coil is bent into abutting relationship with the lead end of the idle coil and welded together. As a result, when the active coil is exhausted, the pulling force of the cutting machine enables the carousel to rotate so that the idle coil assumes the active position and the new coil can be loaded onto the now idle coil for a continuous feed of wire to the wire cutting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Rockford Manufacturing Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Schooley, Lyle S. Strombeck, Michael J. Yankaitis
  • Patent number: 5871137
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for reliable splices to be made in hard-rolled copper and alloy tapes without buckling or overlap and with splices that are stronger than the tape metal, itself. The invention permits an operator to load a second reel of tape in position such that when a first reel is exhausted, the system will automatically butt splice the tail end of the first tape to the front end of the second tape without the presence of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventors: Sigmund Ege, Arne Ramsland
  • Patent number: 5871138
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously finishing hot-rolling steel strips include partially joining a rear end of a preceding steel strip and a leading end of a succeeding steel strip after the strips have passed through a rough hot-rolling step. The joint is flattened. The joint is rolled with a first stand of a tandem rolling mill. The mill is provided with a plurality of stands that includes a pair of work rolls and backup rolls and/or intermediate rolls, so that a compression stress acts at the unjointed section of the strips in the longitudinal direction of the joint while tracking the joint. Shape-control-rolling is performed on the joint with a second and succeeding stands so that a section of the steel strip other than the joint is subjected to the shape-control-rolling at all the stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shishido, Kenji Kataoka, Toshisada Takechi, Nobuaki Nomura, Katsuhiro Takebayashi, Yoshikiyo Tamai
  • Patent number: 5774973
    Abstract: A continuous rolling method includes the steps of: de-scaling billets sent directly from a continuous casting machine; continuously welding the billets using a travelling flash butt welder; grinding a burr on a welded part of the billets to remove the burr using a travelling grinding machine; heating the billets to an elevated temperature using an induction heater; and conducting continuous rolling. The travelling flash butt welder and the travelling grinding machine are separately movable along a running line of the billets, and are moved together during flash butt welding. The flash butt welding is carried out while the flash butt welder and the grinding machine travel a specified stroke for welding. The travelling grinding machine and the travelling flash butt welder are moved together to meet the welded part of each of the billets, and the travelling flash butt welder is returned to a waiting position after the flash butt welding is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi Aoyama, Akira Sakai, Koji Okushima
  • Patent number: 5720425
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of splicing rolled plates with each other, including the steps of (a) positioning a rear end portion of a leading rolled plate above a front end portion of a following rolled plate by a distance slightly greater than a diameter of a cylindrical cutter having a rotation axis extending in a width-wise direction of the leading and following rolled plates, the positioning being carried out while the leading and following rolled plates are being transferred, (b) cutting an upper surface of the front end portion of the following rolled plate with the cylindrical cutter only within a region at which the following rolled plate is to be spliced with the leading rolled plate, the cutting being carried out in a direction F in which the rolled plates are being transferred, (c) blowing a first reducing flame to the upper surface being cut from above the upper surface in the direction F while the step (b) is being carried out, (d) cutting a lower surface of the rear end portion of the leadin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignees: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Metal Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Tazoe, Toshio Iwanami, Masaumi Oki, Kouiti Sakamoto, Tadao Ebukuro
  • Patent number: 5674412
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for butt-splicing hard-rolled and.backslash.or wide copper and copper alloy tapes employs a rolling electrode and varies the contact angle of the tape ends during soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventors: Sigmund Ege, Ragny Ege
  • Patent number: 5605275
    Abstract: An apparatus for positionally aligning two metal sheets (4, 5) along a joint during welding has a table (2, 3) provided for each sheet (4, 5), and clamping jaws (7, 8) urgeable thereagainst. An abutment (6) is provided at the joint between the metal sheets (4, 5) and extends, in an active position, up over the tables (2, 3) so as to serve as an arrest on insertion of the sheets (4, 5). The abutment (6) is lowerable to a passive position. The tables (2, 3) are movable towards and away from one another in a relative advancement movement, and the clamping jaws (7, 8) are suspended in parallelogram guides (16, 17; 22, 23) so that they are movable towards and away from the tables (2, 3). At least the one parallelogram guide has an anchorage (14) in the frame (1) of the machine so that the associated clamping jaw (8) can accompany the advancement movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Martti Rintala
  • Patent number: 5586712
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming welded joints on superconducting foils to form long lengths of foil for use in superconducting magnet tapes including fixturing for controlling the accurate positioning of sheared foils and control of the overlap to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Neil G. Fiddes, Christopher G. King, Anthony Mantone, Frank D. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 5476208
    Abstract: Method for forming welded joints on superconducting foils to form long lengths of foil for use in superconducting magnet tapes including fixturing for controlling the accurate positioning of sheared foils and control of the overlap to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Neil G. Fiddes, Christopher G. King, Anthony Mantone, Frank D. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 5474225
    Abstract: An automated method for non-destructive inspection and evaluation of a weld through the use of ultrasonic waves produced by an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT). The method includes automatic positioning of a transport apparatus containing EMAT transmitter and receiver coils in proximity of a just-completed weld; scanning the weld; receiving an electrical signal produced in the EMAT receiver coil by a reflected ultrasonic SH shear wave; recording and monitoring the electrical signal; analyzing tie electrical signal relative to predetermined control limits; signaling the presence of a defect in the weld; and communicating electronically with a welding apparatus to reperform and/or alter the way in which subsequent welds are made so as to avoid repetition of the defect. The method also includes automatic receiving, recording, and monitoring of welding apparatus and welding process data, as well as automatic adjustment of corresponding welding apparatus and welding process parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Daniel P. Geier, Kenneth R. Camplin
  • Patent number: 5456405
    Abstract: A dual bias weld is an improved weld for joining strips to be formed into coiled tubing. Tubing is formed from a first strip and a second strip, the first and second strips being of the same width. A planar end surface is formed on an end of the first strip, the plane of the planar end surface being defined by a line lying along a top surface of the first strip at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first strip and a line lying along an edge surface of the first strip at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal of the first strip. Similarly, a planar end surface is formed on an end of the second strip, the plane of the planar end surface being defined by a line lying along a top surface of the second strip at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the second strip and a line lying along an edge surface of the second strip at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the second strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Quality Tubing Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Stagg
  • Patent number: 5439157
    Abstract: An automated system for non-destructive inspection of a weld through the use of ultrasonic waves produced by an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT). The system includes: a computer control unit; a transport apparatus having a first EMAT for producing an ultrasonic SH shear wave and a second EMAT for receiving an ultrasonic SH shear wave reflected from a weld; a data acquisition unit and a calibration means. The computer control unit, which is in electrical communication with a welding apparatus, the transport apparatus and the data acquisition unit, coordinates the weld test with completion of the weld. An edge detection sensor, which is affixed to the transport apparatus is used to automatically position the transport apparatus for a weld scan and to signal completion of the scan. The system includes an electrostatic shield to protect the second EMAT from electromagnetic and radio frequency interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Daniel P. Geier, Kenneth R. Camplin
  • Patent number: 5394725
    Abstract: An apparatus for bending hollow profile strips into spacer frames for insulating glass panes, comprises an inclined supporting wall 1, at the bottom rim 8 of which at least one bending head 2 is arranged. A conveyor track 20 feds hollow profile strips to be bent into spacer frames. A device 40 transfers the hollow profile strips from the conveyor track 20 into supports 7 in the zone of the bottom rim 8 of the supporting wall 1. This assembly is provided behind the supporting wall 1. Thereby, the space behind the supporting wall 1 is utilized and the front side of the apparatus remains vacant so that it is accessible for an operator without any danger, and mounting space is saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Pater Lisec
  • Patent number: 5373983
    Abstract: A composite article is manufactured by preparing a machined surface of the composite article for diffusion bonding. The method includes removing most of the exposed fibers by shot peening followed by acid etching. The acid etch may be followed by grit blasting and then another acid etch. After the method is applied to the surface, the article can be diffusion bonded to other composite article to form complex shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Stenard, Mohsen Sohi, Donald R. Schuyler, Mani Janakiram
  • Patent number: 5328083
    Abstract: The installation comprises a zone A for positioning a first sheet blank (2) to be welded, a zone B for bringing the two sheet blanks (2, 3) to be welded into edge to edge relation, a zone C for guiding, transferring and welding the two sheet blanks (2, 3), and a zone D for discharging the two welded sheet blanks (2, 3). The invention is applicable to installations for welding by means of a laser beam sheet blanks of different geometrical and/or different thicknesses, for example for the automobile industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Sollac
    Inventors: Gilles Peru, Francis Sauvage, Yvon Le Roy, Charles Sion
  • Patent number: 5320271
    Abstract: A splash protector assembly for printed wiring boards includes splash protector rails for permitting printed wiring boards to be coupled together without additional aids as they are conveyed in a given conveying direction across different conveying planes through soldering machines. The splash protector rails include successive front and rear splash protector rails as seen in the given conveying direction. Each of the splash protector rails are L-shaped and define a longer leg being in an upright position during use, and a shorter leg. Each of the splash protector rails have springs for clamping the printed wiring boards. The longer leg of the rear splash protector rail has hooks and the longer leg of the front splash protector has braces for hanging the rear splash protector rail from the front splash protector rail of the next printed wiring board, and the braces prevent the printed wiring boards from becoming unhung as they are conveyed across meeting points of the different conveying planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: DeTeWe-Deutsche Telephonwerke AG&Co.
    Inventors: Hans Bell, Raimund Exner
  • Patent number: 5312025
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing loops of steel employed in continuous-operation presses to manufacture single-layer or multiple-layer webs of material. To equalize the tension in the ends of a strip before they are welded together to form a loop and to increase the strength of the weld, the strip (10) is laid over drums (2 and 3) and its ends secured in grippers (13) that travel across the drums' axes (4 and 5). The strip is tensioned to a prescribed tension. The tension is maintained while the ends (11 and 12) of the strip are secured by transverse tensioning arms. The tension is released by moving the movable axis to an operating distance. The strip is cut with a blade, the ends of the strip are ground parallel, and are welded together to form a loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Rolf Rottger
  • Patent number: 5259496
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and drive structure are disclosed for use with a conversion press in which an upper level of an endless metallic conveyor belt, preferably of stainless steel, is positioned between upper and lower tooling in the press. The conveyor belt is formed by seam welding together the ends of a length of thin flexible metal, and includes a plurality of transversely and longitudinally spaced shell-receiving carrier apertures. The edges of the conveyor belt at the ends of the weld seam are relieved with an elongated notch shape having corners formed on a radius to eliminate from the belt stress concentrations which may occur during the welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Dayton Reliable Tool & Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Steven P. Common
  • Patent number: 5242254
    Abstract: An end wall 9, for attachment to a container, has a central panel 10 and surrounded by a channel portion 11 which includes a deposit of solder 19 in the form of a paste of solder and flux. The can end 9 is joined by a double seam 23 to a sidewall 12 of a container body. Heating of the double seam melts the solder to create a soldered joint between the end wall and sidewall. The invention is to be used in the manufacture of containers requiring strong double seams and may be used to make containers for carriage of dangerous goods. Apparatus for applying solder pastes to can ends is described in which paste is urged from a pot against convex surface 37 before passing through oulet nozzles 38 onto a can end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: CarnaudMetalbox plc
    Inventor: George Harold
  • Patent number: 5242104
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for the automatic feeding of solder or other bonding agent with tension applied to the solder supply so that it retracts from the point of fusion an instant before it is entirely liquified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Kloften and Kloften (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventor: Sigmund Ege
  • Patent number: 5234154
    Abstract: A trailing end of a preceding bar is arranged slantingly by an angle .theta. relative to a succeeding bar such that the lower edge of the leading end face of the succeeding bar is vertically shifted from the lower edge of the trailing end face of the preceding bar with the leading end face of the succeeding bar abutting against the trailing end face of the preceding bar. After that, the succeeding bar is vertically depressed by applying a predetermined force. Since the trailing end face is inclined by .theta. relative to the leading end face, the depression causes a relative slide between surfaces of both the end faces and, at the same time, a pressure P is also produced by the wedge effect, the pressure P causing a compression force and a plastic deformation between both the end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kajiwara, Tadashi Nishino, Tadayuki Watanabe, Yasutsugu Yoshimura, Takao Funamoto
  • Patent number: 5219114
    Abstract: In a continuous hot strip rolling system in which bars are joined between a roughing train and a finishing train for continuous rolling, the roughing train includes two two-high twin-roll arranged stands each having two pairs of work rolls. The four two-high mills provided by the two twin-roll arranged stands including four pairs of work rolls are disposed close to each other so as to provide a tandem rolling in which a material to be rolled is rolled simultaneously by the two adjacent mills. A slab having a thickness of 200 to 240 mm is rolled by the two twin-roll arranged stands to obtain a bar of about 80 mm. A width press is provided near the entrance of the No. 1 stand. A descaling device is provided at the entrance of each of the two stands. The descaling device has a nozzle which is movable in the direction transverse to the direction of travel of the material to be rolled. A non-driven roll edger is provided at the exit of each of the two stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kajiwara, Tadashi Nisino, Keiji Miyakozawa, Masaaki Kouga
  • Patent number: 5219113
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for the treatment of metal strip, particularly for the treatment of hot-rolled metal strip in an entry portion of a pickling line through which the metal strip travels continuously. The method includes straightening the metal strip which is being uncoiled from an uncoiling reel under a predetermined strip tension, then severing the unstraightened ends of the strip for producing straightened ends of the strips, and subsequently connecting the strip end of an advancing metal strip to a strip end of a subsequent metal strip. Immediately after being uncoiled, the metal strip is straightened by stretch-bending and a strip tension is produced which is sufficiently high for straightening by stretch-bending without increasing the uncoiling tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: BWG Berwerk-und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Oskar Noe
  • Patent number: 5217155
    Abstract: A method of continuously hot-rolling sheet bars in which a roughly rolled leading sheet bar and a trailing sheet bar are abutted prior to a hot finish rolling step. Plastic deformation of either or both of the cut rear and front end portions of the leading and trailing sheet bars is applied. End portions are brought into contact with each other due to metal flow, forming a gap portion between the sheet bars. The thickness of the sheet bar around the gap portion is enlarged in comparison to the thickness of the contact portions, and hot finish rolling fills the gap so that the bars are strongly joined over their width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Kitahama, Kunio Isobe, Norio Takashima, Toshisada Takechi, Fujio Aoki
  • Patent number: 5205471
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for joining conveyed steel pieces in a hot rolling mill are disclosed. A joining apparatus having a series of fusing torches extending laterally across the steel path is used, either before a rough rolling stage or between rough rolling and finish rolling. The fusing torches which operate at the side edges of the pieces to be joined are controlled to have independent movement by a controller, in such a way that the time elapsing between fusing and pressing together of portions at the lateral edges of the join line does not exceed a critical time for regrowth of oxide scale. Various mounting and control techniques for the fusing torches are proposed, including the possibility of two independently-driveable sets the controller can base its control of the torches on steel strip width information obtained from the processing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Kinose, Yasutsugu Yoshimura, Teruo Sekiya
  • Patent number: 5190204
    Abstract: A device and method for butt-welding metal strips using a laser is disclosed. The present invention utilizes clamping bridges to selectively grip the metal strips to be welded together. The ends of the metal strips are first prepared for welding by severing the ends using a movable laser. After the prepared strip ends are moved into butt-welding relationship, the same laser is used to weld the two strips together. Where the strips are of differing width, the laser may be rotated and its height above the strips adjusted in order to achieve the proper welding angle. Where one strip is continuously moving, a buffer facility is provided for selectively storing a portion of the continuously moving strip prior to cutting and welding. Through adjustment of the buffer facility, the clamped portion of the continuously moving strip, i.e. the trailing portion, remains stationary during cutting and welding while the leading portion of the strip continues to advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Thyssen Industrie AG Maschinenbau
    Inventors: Kurt Jack, Wilfried Prange, Gerhard Alber
  • Patent number: 5182435
    Abstract: An electric soldering iron has an elongated hollow handle casing having a tubular hollow holder extending from one end thereof and supporting a soldering bit heated by an electric heater within the holder. A forked suction pipe is secured to the holder and includes a main pipe having an intake port at one end disposed adjacent to the soldering tip and an outlet port at its other end connected to an induced-draft fan assembly through a flexible air pipe. A branch pipe of the suction pipe extends laterally from the main pipe and has an intake port connecterd to the interior of the casing through a heat resistant hose. Actuation of the induced-draft fan causes soldering fumes generated at the tip to be drawn into the main pipe and for cooling ambient air to be drawn through the casing from an inlet at its other end to remove excess heat from the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventor: Chiou-Liang Wang
  • Patent number: 5182428
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively removing target sections from a continuous coil of sheet metal and connecting those sections to one or more sheet metal take-up winders. Depending upon the thicknesses or amount of defects in each detected target section, the corresponding target can be connected to an appropriate continuous sheet metal winder which therein contains a specific classification of sheet metal. Defects, such as errant sheet metal thicknesses, can be removed from a continuous coil and placed on a raw sheet metal coil separate from a finished sheet metal coil containing substantially no defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Thyssen Industries AG Maschinenbau
    Inventors: Kurt K. J. Jack, Gerhard G. A. Alber
  • Patent number: 5174489
    Abstract: A mechanical clamping device adapted to engage and secure the upper tooling of a welding knee. The clamping device is motor driven such that several clamping devices can be simultaneously and synchronously operated to engage, align and secure the upper tooling from a remote location. The clamping device includes a clamping lever actuated by a cam mechanism. The clamping lever has an upper end provided with a cam follower, a lower engagement end for engaging the tooling, and a journalling region. The engagement end is adapted to closely engage a corresponding feature on the tooling. The journalling region of the clamping lever is slidably journalled in a bushing which includes a biasing member for biasing the cam follower against the cam mechanism. The clamping lever is pivotably attached by the bushing to the cam mechanism which serves to both rotate the clamping lever and bushing together and stroke the clamping lever within the bushing to secure the upper tooling to the welding knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Utica Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur C. Mason
  • Patent number: 5172846
    Abstract: The device of this invention is to prevent the buckling of steel sheets and positional discrepancy between steel sheets by grasping and butting the front and rear ends of sheets by means of clamping means on a joining device carrier. For this purpose, a pair of joining device carrier 3 are moved on rails 8 mounted at both sides of rolls 9 for conveying steel. The rear end of the preceding steel sheet 1 and the front end of the following steel sheet 2 are grasped by the clamping means 4 and 5 on the joining device carrier, respectively. The clamping means 5 is moved close to the clamping means 4 by using a movable frame so that the steel sheets 1, 2 are butted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kanji Hayashi, Ryuichi Ozono, Tohru Takeguchi
  • Patent number: 5169051
    Abstract: A strip welding machine for welding abutting cut surfaces at a strip beginning and at a strip end of metal strips. Cutting tools are provided for producing the cut surfaces. A welding apparatus is used for welding the cut surfaces. A cutting stop which can be raised above the plane of the strip is arranged in front of the cutting tool on the entry side and a measuring drive operating in strip travel direction is arranged in front of one of the strips. A cutting stop which can be raised above the plane of the strip is arranged following the cutting tool on the exit side also in strip travel direction and a measuring drive operating against the strip travel direction is arranged following the other of the strips. The measuring drives ensure that the respective strips are exactly positioned initially in cutting position and subsequently in welding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: BWG Bergwerk-und Walzwerk Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Oskar Noe
  • Patent number: 5167362
    Abstract: To splice two metal tapes by means of a solder wire that is thicker than the tapes themselves, their terminal edges are positioned upon one electrode, a spacing shim is inserted upon one of the tapes, another electrode is lowered onto the shim, the wire is inserted into the channel formed by the tape and shim edges and the electrodes, the shim is withdrawn to lower the upper electrode down upon the solder, and the latter is then fused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Kloften and Kloften (U.S.A.), Inc.
    Inventor: Sigmund Ege
  • Patent number: 5163600
    Abstract: A fingertip soldering tool has been designed which is made up of a small fingertip soldering body that is secured above the human finger (preferably the index finger) via a finger strap. Within the fingertip soldering body is a soldering tip for electrical and electronic soldering. The present fingertip soldering tool has essential advantages: a) The same hand which the soldering tool is attached to is freed up for other use; and (b) the small soldering tip provides electrical efficiency, allows wide access into small areas and gives rise to structural lightness which enhances its maneuverability further. A protective shield around the soldering tip provides safety from the surrounding environment and human flesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventors: Steve Barbarich, Cary W. Chleborad, James Fiechtner, Floyd Fiechtner
  • Patent number: 5161726
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a cutting tool mountable in a rotatable chuck and having a cylindrical cutting member with a cutting surface orthogonal to the axis of the cutting member. The cutting surface includes at least 8 cutting flutes defined therein. The cutting flutes are rounded at the outer periphery of the cutting surface so as to permit chips to clear the cutting surface as the tool is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventor: Timothy G. Francis
  • Patent number: 5145102
    Abstract: A method of splicing together metal webs for use in planography with the ends thereof being butted or lapped against each other. In the metal web splicing method, the ends of the metal webs are spliced together in a butted manner, the spliced portion thereof is welded, and the welded spliced portion is rolled. According to the splicing method, there is no level difference in the welded spliced portion, which eliminates the possibility of the spliced metal webs being broken during the movement thereof and also has no adverse effect on the coating process for the spliced metal webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Minato, Akio Uesugi, Tsutomu Kakei
  • Patent number: 5125554
    Abstract: A pair of sheetlike members are supported on a pair of support tables disposed on opposite sides of a movable splicing mechanism. The pair of sheets are advanced inwardly from opposite directions into a splicing position wherein the adjacent edge portions of the sheets overlap, and are suitably secured by side clamp mechanisms. The movable splicing mechanism is then linearly moved along the overlapping edges, and opposed weld rolls rollingly and clampingly engage the overlapping edges therebetween to effect welding thereof. A pair of planishing rolls rollingly and compressingly engage the seam weld and follow along behind the weld rolls to effect flattening of the seam weld. After the splicing mechanism moves along the entire length of the overlapping edges to create a mash seam weld between, a gripper mounted on the mechanism engages opposite sides of the sheet, and the mechanism then returns to its original position and simultaneously discharges the spliced sheet forwardly of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Newcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Geiermann, Kenneth A. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5125559
    Abstract: Means and method are presented for butt-splicing two metal tapes by confining molten solder between two carbon electrodes while the tape edges are moved together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Kloften and Kloften (USA) Inc.
    Inventor: Sigmund Ege
  • Patent number: 5121873
    Abstract: In a continuous hot rolling system, at least one melt-cut torch is set in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to a trailing end of a preceding hot material and a leading end of an adjacent succeeding hot material. An injected flow of cutting gas from the melt-cut torch is blown against a portion of at least one of the trailing end of the preceding material and the leading end of the succeeding material to melt-cut the portion. The portion extends from an end surface of the one end over a predetermined length. The trailing end of the preceding material and the leading end of the succeeding material are forced against each other and are butt-joined to each other. By doing so, there are produced joining surfaces superior in surface accuracy and high in temperature, to allow joining to be high in accuracy and strength. This joining may be made with respect to slabs before rough rolling, or may be made with respect to bars after rough rolling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Sekiya, Tomoaki Kimura, Yoshio Takakura, Tadashi Nishino, Toshiyuki Kajiwara
  • Patent number: 5098009
    Abstract: A novel method for joining edge portions of electromagnetic wave shielding members is proposed. A joiner is prepared by solder-plating a surface of a narrow strip of electromagnetic wave shielding material of a metal foil or a metal sheet. The respective edge portions of adjacent electromagnetic wave shielding members made of metal sheets or metal foils are butted against each other. The solder-plated surface of the prepared joiner is superposed on the respective abutting edge portions of the electromagnetic wave shielding members. Thereafter, while the joiner is being pressed against the shielding members by a heater, the joiner is solder-welded to both of the electromagnetic wave shielding members via the solder-plated layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignees: Fujita Corporation, ABC Trading Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyoshi Tsuchida, Ryoichi Isoyama, Kazumasa Onishi, Kei Ito, Teruo Matsui, Hiroo Ueno
  • Patent number: 5093987
    Abstract: A connector (10) having one or more arrays of elongate arms (22) of contacts (20) having contact sections (26) on free ends (24) thereof to be soldered to respective traces (94) of a circuit element (90), facilitated by securing a soldering component (40) to free ends (24). Component (40) includes a block member (42) along the outer surface of which is secured a lead frame (60) which includes a corresponding plurality of fingers (66) extending transversely from an elongate body section (62). Block (42) is of thermally insulative material having solder resistive surfaces. On the finger ends (68) are affixed preforms (88) of solder; on body section (62) is defined a thin magnetic layer, transforming the brass carrier strip into a Curie point heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: James P. Scholz
  • Patent number: 5074457
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for splicing together metal webs with the ends thereof being butted against each other or slightly lapped on each other. In the metal web splicing apparatus, there is provided a reduction roller which comprises a hold portion having a first radius and a projected portion having a second radius slightly greater than the first radius. With use of the reduction roller, while both sides of the weld spliced portion of the metal webs are being held and fixed by the hold portion of the roller, the weld spliced portion is rolled by the projected portion of the roller, thereby preventing escape of the rolled portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Matsuki, Hirokazu Sawada, Tsutomu Kakei
  • Patent number: 5062566
    Abstract: A splicing machine for carrier strip is automated to lower the pathway of terminal strip over the splicing jaws and to sense the engagement of the strip by the movement of a guide bar within the jaws that is being pulled forward by the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Inventor: Sigmund Ege