Abstract: A capacitive discharge welding system includes at least one capacitive discharge-based power supply that is adapted to provide alternate polarity pulses from a first weld to a subsequent weld, and to be compatible with iron-core transformers used for alternating current resistance welding; at least one iron core transformer adapted to receive electrical discharges from the capacitive discharge-based power supply; a polarity switching network that includes at least two sets of silicon controlled rectifiers that are arranged in pairs for facilitating current flow in alternate directions; a pair of engagable, properly biased shunt diodes that are operative to shunt reflected current for protecting the silicon controlled rectifiers when the system is in use; and a control network configured for simultaneous engagement of the properly biased shunt diodes and firing the silicon controlled rectifiers for current flow; and tracking polarity for assuring that subsequent pulses use opposite direction current flow for p

Abstract: A method for creating metallic sandwich structures that includes providing at least two face sheets; providing at least two core sheets; orienting the core sheets relative to one another in a predetermined manner; and using indirect resistance roll brazing to join the core sheets to the face sheets to create a sandwich structure.

Abstract: A method for creating a bonded zinc-coated structure is provided. In another aspect, a sheet metal joining system includes a heated roller contacting a sheet metal workpiece to braze together zinc-based coatings. A further aspect employs a zinc coated metal sandwich including a core having peaks and valleys.

Abstract: A method for creating a clad structure, comprising providing a substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface; providing a cladding material, wherein the cladding material is placed on the inner surface of the substrate, the outer surface of the substrate, or both; providing a surface activation material that is disposed between the substrate and the cladding material; providing at least one resistance welding device, wherein the at least one resistance welding device includes at least one electrode wheel that directly contacts the cladding material, and wherein the at least one resistance welding device generates resistance heating and pressure sufficient to melt the surface activation material and form a localized bond between the substrate and the cladding layer; and traversing the at least one electrode wheel across the cladding material and substrate to propagate the localized bond between the cladding material and the substrate and create a clad structure.

Abstract: A capacitive discharge welding system includes at least one capacitive discharge-based power supply that is adapted to provide alternate polarity pulses from a first weld to a subsequent weld, and to be compatible with iron-core transformers used for alternating current resistance welding; at least one iron core transformer adapted to receive electrical discharges from the capacitive discharge-based power supply; a polarity switching network that includes at least two sets of silicon controlled rectifiers that are arranged in pairs for facilitating current flow in alternate directions; a pair of engagable, properly biased shunt diodes that are operative to shunt reflected current for protecting the silicon controlled rectifiers when the system is in use; and a control network configured for simultaneous engagement of the properly biased shunt diodes and firing the silicon controlled rectifiers for current flow; and tracking polarity for assuring that subsequent pulses use opposite direction current flow for p

Abstract: A method for creating a bonded zinc-coated structure is provided. In another aspect, a sheet metal joining system includes a heated roller contacting a sheet metal workpiece to braze together zinc-based coatings. A further aspect employs a zinc coated metal sandwich including a core having peaks and valleys.

Abstract: A method for creating metallic sandwich structures that includes providing at least two face sheets; providing at least two core sheets; orienting the core sheets relative to one another in a predetermined manner; and using indirect resistance roll brazing to join the core sheets to the face sheets to create a sandwich structure.

Abstract: A system for creating a clad material that includes at least one substrate; at least one cladding layer; at least one surface activation layer disposed between the at least one substrate and the at least one cladding layer; and a resistance seam welder, wherein the resistance seam welder is operative to generate heat and pressure sufficient to melt the at least one surface activation layer and form a bond between the at least one substrate and the at least one cladding layer when the at least one surface activation layer is cooled.

Abstract: A system for creating a clad material that includes at least one substrate; at least one cladding layer; at least one surface activation layer disposed between the at least one substrate and the at least one cladding layer; and a resistance seam welder, wherein the resistance seam welder is operative to generate heat and pressure sufficient to melt the at least one surface activation layer and form a bond between the at least one substrate and the at least one cladding layer when the at least one surface activation layer is cooled.

Abstract: A method for repairing defects in a metallic substrate including the steps of placing a consumable filler slug in contact with the substrate in the vicinity of the defect; bringing a first electrode and a second electrode in contact with the consumable slug and applying a pressure to the consumable slug; and transmitting electrical current between the electrodes for a period, thereby resistively heating the consumable slug and the metallic substrate resulting in coalescence in a substantially liquid pool that fills the defect. The pool is then cooled to solidification under the pressure of the electrodes. The electrodes are then removed from contact with the consumable slug and excess material may be removed. The consumable slug may be formed as a single unit or multiple sections, and may incorporate sacrificial retainers to add additional defect filling material, retain the pool, and seal the pool from atmosphere.

Abstract: A welding arrangement comprises first and second parts to be welded with an edge portion of the first part and an edge portion of the second part juxtaposed to form a weld zone. An electrically-conductive sheet(s) with a higher melting temperature than a melting temperature of the first and second parts are placed over the weld zone and a force application device is used to apply a lateral compressive force to the weld zone. First and second electrodes are placed in contact with the electrically conductive sheet(s) which are resistively heated and in turn conductively heat the weld zone.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for joining electrically conductive materials by friction stir welding. The apparatus includes a shaft portion for being received by a rotation imparting apparatus, and a second end having a cut-away portion configured for deflecting plasticized material during friction stir welding. A pilot formed of a material harder than the electrically conductive material extends from the second end. The pilot is configured and dimensioned for friction stir welding electrically conductive members together.

Abstract: A welding arrangement (10) consists of first and second parts to be welded (4a, 4b) with a portion of the first part and a portion of the second part juxtaposed to form a weld zone (8a, 8b). An electrically-conductive sheet (2) with a higher melting temperature than a melting temperature of the first part (4a) and a melting temperature of the second part (4b) is placed over the weld zone (8a, 8b). A first electrode (12) is placed in contact with the electrically conductive sheet material (2) and a second electrode (14) is positioned and aligned with the first electrode (12) to heat conducively the weld zone (8a, 8b) with an electrical current. For the butt weld configuration (10), a second electrically conductive sheet (6) is placed between the second electrode (14) and the weld zone (8a, 8b).

Abstract: An apparatus for balancing an aluminum drive shaft uses a transition material to attach steel counterweights to the aluminum drive shaft. The transition material is disposed between an outer surface of the aluminum drive shaft and an inner surface of the steel counterweights. A resistance welding process is then applied to the aluminum drive shaft, the steel counterweights, and the transition material to resistance weld the inner surface of the steel counterweights to the outer surface of the aluminum drive shaft. The transition material has a first surface adjacent to the aluminum drive shaft and a second surface adjacent to the steel counterweights, with the first surface being aluminum and the second surface being steel. In a method of balancing an aluminum drive shaft, a resistance welding process is applied to the aluminum drive shaft, the steel counterweights, and the transition material to resistance weld the inner surface of the steel counterweights to the outer surface of the aluminum drive shaft.