Patents by Inventor Gary H. Musselman

Gary H. Musselman 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).

  • Method for laser welding of metal
    Patent number: 6906281
    Abstract: A method of welding at least two metal sheets protected by a zinc coating that has a low vaporizing temperature. The metal sheets are placed on top of each other and a head of a welding machine is passed over the sheets. The head of the welding machine is configured such that a laser is positioned in front of a GMAW welding or MIG brazing device. The laser cuts a channel into the metal sheets in order to allow the protective zinc coating to vaporize and escape. The GMAW welder or MIG brazing device then follows the laser and deposits a material that fills the channel to weld the two pieces together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Gary H. Musselman
  • Laser joint welding metal material
    Patent number: 6794603
    Abstract: A method of welding at least two metal sheets protected by a zinc coating that has a low vaporizing temperature. The metal sheets are placed on top of each other in such a manner that at least one metal sheet has a curved section beginning at the weld area. The weld is performed partly on the metal sheets in contact and partly at the separation between the metal sheets in order to allow gases generated by vaporization of the protective material to escape from the weld area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Gary H. Musselman
  • Joint design for laser welding zinc coated steel
    Publication number: 20040173587
    Abstract: A method of welding at least two metal sheets protected by a zinc coating that has a low vaporizing temperature. The metal sheets are placed on top of each other and a head of a welding machine is passed over the sheets. The head of the welding machine is configured such that a laser is positioned in front of a GMAW welding or MIG brazing device. The laser cuts a channel into the metal sheets in order to allow the protective zinc coating to vaporize and escape. The GMAW welder or MIG brazing device then follows the laser and deposits a material that fills the channel to weld the two pieces together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gary H. Musselman
  • JOINT DESIGN FOR LASER WELDING ZINC COATED STEEL
    Publication number: 20040173586
    Abstract: A method of welding at least two metal sheets protected by a zinc coating that has a low vaporizing temperature. The metal sheets are placed on top of each other in such a manner that at least one metal sheet has a curved section beginning at the weld area. The weld is performed partly on the metal sheets in contact and partly at the separation between the metal sheets in order to allow gases generated by vaporization of the protective material to escape from the weld area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gary H. Musselman