Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonically welding workpieces that reduces sonotrode adhesion during the ultrasonic welding process. The sonotrode includes a contact surface wherein a fluid is deposited on the contact surface prior to the welding process. The fluid may be applied in different ways, including providing an aperture in the contact surface of the sonotrode. In addition, the sonotrode may be cooled below the dew point of the surrounding atmosphere thus causing moisture to form on the contact surface of the sonotrode. Cooling the sonotrode to a temperature above the dew point also reduces sonotrode adhesion during the ultrasonic welding process.

Abstract: The present invention is a disassembly apparatus and method for disassembling a workpiece having at least two layers joined together by welding or other bonding processes at bonding points. The method includes the steps of securing the workpiece into a fixture to prevent movement of one of the layers. The apparatus includes a sonotrode and a holding device. The method further includes moving the sonotrode to contact the workpiece to apply a predetermined amount of contact pressure to the workpiece. The sonotrode in contact with the layer on a side opposite the anvil is then vibrated at a predetermined frequency until the layers become disassembled. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining multiple layers of materials using an ultrasonic welding apparatus. The ultrasonic welding apparatus utilizes a sonotrode to perform a weld between at least the top and intermediate layer of the multi-layer member. Then, either the multi-layer member or the ultrasonic welding apparatus is rotated such that the bottom layer is positioned adjacent the sonotrode wherein the sonotrode forms a weld between at least the bottom layer and intermediate layer of the multi-layer member. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic welding gun having a C-shape frame including a base portion and a head portion. An ultrasonic welding device, including a sonotrode, is secured to the head portion and an anvil secured to the base portion. The ultrasonic welding gun is connected to a robot operative to position the ultrasonic welding gun to perform the welding operation.

Abstract: A masking for an engine block to be thermally sprayed with a coating includes a head deck mask portion adapted to engage a head deck of an engine block to prevent over-spray of a thermally sprayed coating on the head deck. The masking also includes a crankcase mask portion adapted to be disposed in a crankcase chamber of the engine block and engage a lower end of a cylinder bore cavity of the engine block to prevent over-spay of the thermally sprayed coating into the crankcase chamber.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welder 10 for providing improved surface finish on weldable material, including an anvil 22 and a fabric element 30 positioned between the anvil 22 and the weldable material 24 thereby protecting the surface finish on the weldable material 24.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonically welding workpieces that reduces sonotrode adhesion during the ultrasonic welding process. The sonotrode includes a contact surface wherein a fluid is deposited on the contact surface prior to the welding process. The fluid may be applied in different ways, including providing an aperture in the contact surface of the sonotrode. In addition, the sonotrode may be cooled below the dew point of the surrounding atmosphere thus causing moisture to form on the contact surface of the sonotrode. Cooling the sonotrode to a temperature above the dew point also reduces sonotrode adhesion during the ultrasonic welding process.

Abstract: The present invention is a disassembly apparatus and method for disassembling a workpiece having at least two layers joined together by welding or other bonding processes at bonding points. The method includes the steps of securing the workpiece into a fixture to prevent movement of one of the layers. The apparatus includes a sonotrode and a holding device. The method further includes moving the sonotrode to contact the workpiece to apply a predetermined amount of contact pressure to the workpiece. The sonotrode in contact with the layer on a side opposite the anvil is then vibrated at a predetermined frequency until the layers become disassembled. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining multiple layers of materials using an ultrasonic welding apparatus. The ultrasonic welding apparatus utilizes a sonotrode to perform a weld between at least the top and intermediate layer of the multi-layer member. Then, either the multi-layer member or the ultrasonic welding apparatus is rotated such that the bottom layer is positioned adjacent the sonotrode wherein the sonotrode forms a weld between at least the bottom layer and intermediate layer of the multi-layer member. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic welding gun having a C-shape frame including a base portion and a head portion. An ultrasonic welding device, including a sonotrode, is secured to the head portion and an anvil secured to the base portion. The ultrasonic welding gun is connected to a robot operative to position the ultrasonic welding gun to perform the welding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically welding workpieces that reduces sonotrode adhesion during the ultrasonic welding process. The sonotrode tip has a specific surface configuration, including a curvilinear shaped outer surface combined with a plurality of grooves and lands. Due to the curvilinear surface, the depth of the grooves gradually decreases near the outer edge or periphery of a contact surface of the sonotrode tip. Further, such a groove and land combination also provides a sharp edge or corner that reduces sliding of the tip on the workpiece and correspondingly reduces sticking. In addition, various types of coatings or inserts may also be used to reduce sticking of the sonotrode tip to the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a foamed metal structure using a powder supply of metal particles, comprising: (a) introducing the powder supply along with foaming agent particles into a propellant gas to form a gas/particle mixture stream; (b) projecting the mixture stream at a critical velocity of at least sonic velocity onto a metallic substrate to create a deposit of pressure-welded metal particles containing the admixed foaming agent; and (c) subjecting at least the coating of the substrate to a thermal excursion effective to activate expansion of the foaming agent while softening the metal particles for plastic deformation under the influence of the expanding gases.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welder 10 for providing improved surface finish on weldable material, including an anvil 22 and a fabric element 30 positioned between the anvil 22 and the weldable material 24 thereby protecting the surface finish on the weldable material 24.

Abstract: A masking for an engine block to be thermally sprayed with a coating includes a head deck mask portion adapted to engage a head deck of an engine block to prevent over-spray of a thermally sprayed coating on the head deck. The masking also includes a crankcase mask portion adapted to be disposed in a crankcase chamber of the engine block and engage a lower end of a cylinder bore cavity of the engine block to prevent over-spay of the thermally sprayed coating into the crankcase chamber.

Abstract: A thermally sprayed article and method of making same includes the steps of providing an article to be thermally sprayed and thermally spraying a metal material against the article to form an inner layer having a first predetermined thickness. The method also includes the steps of co-depositing a polymer and the metal material against the inner layer to form an outer layer having a second predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A masking for an engine block to be thermally sprayed with a coating includes a head deck mask portion adapted to engage a head deck of an engine block to prevent over-spray of a thermally sprayed coating on the head deck. The masking also includes a crankcase mask portion adapted to be disposed in a crankcase chamber of the engine block and engage a lower end of a cylinder bore cavity of the engine block to prevent over-spay of the thermally sprayed coating into the crankcase chamber.

Abstract: A thermally sprayed article and method of making same includes the steps of providing an article to be thermally sprayed and thermally spraying a metal material against the article to form an inner layer having a first predetermined thickness. The method also includes the steps of co-depositing a polymer and the metal material against the inner layer to form an outer layer having a second predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A method of making valve guides by thermal spraying a wear-resistant layer onto a rotating mandrel that is subsequently built up by thermal spraying steel on the wear-resistant layer. A flame spray polymer lubricant may be applied to the wear-resistant layer to improve self-lubricating properties of the engine valve guide. The mandrel and applied layers are then cut off and the remaining segment is further processed in a machining operation to remove the mandrel from the inside of the engine valve guide. The mandrel is preferably cooled as the thermal spray is applied preferably by routing a cooling fluid such as air through the mandrel.

Abstract: Method of making valve seats by thermally spraying bulk material. The method includes the steps of: (i) preparing a cylindrical polymeric mandrel having an outside dimension not greater than the desired inside dimension of the desired insert, the mandrel having no means to provide for separation of the sprayed material from the mandrel, (ii) thermal spraying separate particles of one or more types of steel or nickel alloys in the presence of a controlled oxidizing medium under conditions that allow firstly, melting of the mandrel and its infiltration into the sprayed material and secondly to form a subsequent polymer free dense metallic bulk composite material (iii) after cooling, machining and cutting into discrete seat shapes for implanting into the final product.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal and polymeric composite article by the following steps. Droplets of spray deposited metal and spray deposited polymeric material are combined to form an article having the polymeric material interspersed within the metal. A carrier or form that shaped to receive the metal and polymeric layers is provided. The carrier may be made either stationary or movable. Layers of spray deposited metal and spray deposited polymeric material are applied atop the carrier. The spray deposited metal is between 90 and 95 percent by volume of the article. The polymeric layers do not completely cover the metal layers. Succeeding spray deposited metal layers contact bond to previous metal layers. The polymeric material between imbedded between the interconnected metal layers.

Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy bodies, such as cast fuel pump bodies, are subjected to anodic spark deposition under deposition conditions in an electrolyte effective to form an surface layer that is enriched in alpha alumina to improve surface hardness and that includes a substantially uniform distribution of lubricant-retaining, nanosize surface pores.

Abstract: Transmission torque converter reactor thrust washer segments (12) comprising a surface hardenable aluminum alloy are subjected to electrical discharge machining (EDM) using an electrode (26) and under conditions effective to impart a hydrodynamic bearing surface profile to the segment surfaces (12a), reduce segment surface roughness, and increase segment surface hardness. Torque converter reactors (10) having integrated thrust washer segments machined in this manner exhibit improved wear resistance and hydrodynamic lift when compared to as cast thrust washer segments.