Abstract: A pressure vessel or pressurizable canister has a hollow, thin-walled, cylindrical metal shell or tube. Two end caps are hermetically sealed to the respective distal ends of the metal shell by the process of magnetic pulse welding that requires no external heat. The two end caps are made of a metallic alloy such as aluminum. The end caps are each cylindrically shaped and have at least one circumferential recess to accommodate the metal of the shell tube as it deforms about the end caps and forms an intermolecular bond. The canister can hold a pressure of at least 1,800 psi.

Abstract: A load bearing structural joint that is fabricated using an electromagnetic process, features a tube that is joined to a fitting of another component. Lightweight materials and thicknesses can be used, because the welding is performed without the adverse effects of annealing or heat. The fabricated structure has an improved strength to weight ratio, and prolonged fatigue life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating uniform splices for stranded cables. A joint for a stranded cable can be formed by inserting the ends of two cables into an electrically conductive splice band which, in turn, is inserted into a coil or inductor. The splice is fabricated by a process known as magnetic pulse forming, or magnetic pulse welding wherein a very large electrical current of short duration is directed through the coil or inductor from a charged capacitor bank. The resulting magnetic field in the coil or inductor induces a magnetic field on the splice band, compressing the splice band uniformly around the circumference of the two cable ends being spliced. In the case of magnetic pulse welding, the splice not only uniformly compresses the stranded cables, but a weld is also created between the inner diameter of the sleeve and the adjacent stranded cables.

Abstract: A process for joining high strength metal components by electromagnetic forming techniques. One of the metal components carries high loads or is subjected to combined stresses and strains, thus requiring that it be relatively strong and ductile. EMF or MPW processes are used to join the components, the strength of which is temporarily diminished prior to the joining step. The high strength material is subjected to a retrogressive heating and quenching process along a joined boundary thereof; then electromagnetically joined; and thereafter, the strength of the diminished material is restored to its higher temper and strength.

Abstract: An apparatus has a single workstation for joining high strength metal components by electromagnetic forming techniques. One of the metal components carries high loads or is subjected to combined stresses and strains, thus requiring that it be relatively strong and ductile. EMF or MPW processes are used to join the components, whose strength is temporarily diminished prior to the joining step. The high strength material is subjected to a retrogressive heating and quenching process along a joined boundary thereof and is then electromagnetically joined. Thereafter, the strength of the diminished material is restored to its higher temper and strength. In a first embodiment, the apparatus uses a single coil for both the heating and electromagnetic bonding of the metal. In a second embodiment, two adjacent coils are used and the material is moved along a work path between the coils.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating uniform splices for stranded cables. A joint for a stranded cable can be formed by inserting the ends of two cables into an electrically conductive splice band which, in turn, is inserted into a coil or inductor. The splice is fabricated by a process known as magnetic pulse forming, or magnetic pulse welding wherein a very large electrical current of short duration is directed through the coil or inductor from a charged capacitor bank. The resulting magnetic field in the coil or inductor induces a magnetic field on the splice band, compressing the splice band uniformly around the circumference of the two cable ends being spliced. In the case of magnetic pulse welding, the splice not only uniformly compresses the stranded cables, but a weld is also created between the inner diameter of the sleeve and the adjacent stranded cables.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an automotive spaceframe using Electromagnetic Pulse Forming (EMF) or Magnetic Pulse Welding (MPW) techniques. The spaceframe can be either an all aluminum structure or a combination of dissimilar materials, such as aluminum and steel. The welding or forming methods can include the use of split coils or split inductors that allow for ease of access to the joints to be bonded in the spaceframe.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular frame, e.g., a bicycle frame, from two substantially symmetrical frame-halves utilizes a plurality of interconnected half-tubular elements. Each half-tubular element has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and longitudinal edges that extend between the exterior and interior surfaces in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the half-tubular element. The surfaces of the longitudinal edges of the half-tubular elements are shaped such that corresponding edges of corresponding half-tubular elements in the left and right half-frames may easily be interengaged, and adjusted along the respective longitudinal axes of the half-tubular elements that are being joined. Preferably, the longitudinal free edges are stepped in the radial direction such that each level is substantially planar and smooth along the respective longitudinal axis of the half-tubular element.

Abstract: A pressure vessel, or pressurizable canister is described herein. The canister has a hollow, thin-walled, cylindrical, metal shell. The preferred metal is aluminum, because light weight is a consideration for the vessel. Two end caps are mechanically sealed to the respective distal ends of the metal shell tube by the process of electromagnetic pulse forming. The two end caps are made of a high strength, ductile thermoplastic. The preferred plastic is DELRIN.RTM., which is fabricated from an acetal resin. The plastic end caps are injection molded, and can include reinforcing threads. The end caps are each cylindrically shaped, and have at least one circumferential recess to accommodate the metal of the shell tube as it deforms about the end caps. The tube shrinks into the recess of the end caps, and forms a mechanical seal therewith.

Abstract: An improved optical putter. The optical putter has a club head whose cross-section is characterized as having four active surfaces: a substantially flat surface for resting the club head upon the green in a first alignment position; a ball-addressing surface; a second, substantially flat, reflective surface for aligning the golf club in a second alignment position; and a substantially flat bottom surface that is substantially perpendicular to the ball-addressing surface. The reflective surface is a semi-circular wedge shape having a sighting line for guiding the golfer to position her or her head and stance. Depending upon the alignment position, the reflecting surface can face upwardly towards the eye of the golfer or towards the cup of the green.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling tubular elements of a frame without welding or adhesive bonding. Connection elements are used with which mechanical connections may be accomplished by deforming the tubular element to conform to the shape of its respective connection element. Preferably, the connection element is shaped to be inserted within a hollow end of a tubular element and includes radially inwardly directed recesses. The tubular element is deformed with respect to the recesses, preferably by electromagnetic pulse forming, to thereby lock the tubular element and connection element against relative movement. Such connection elements and method may be used in frames of mobile units such as bicycles, wheelchairs, and walkers. The forming process used in connecting the tubular frame elements may also be used to create ride compliance features in the frame by deforming at least one of the tubular elements to modify its spring constant.

Abstract: A new method of fabricating the joint between a golf club head and the golf club shaft, and the article fabricated therefrom, is described herein. The golf club head in which the shaft is inserted has a bore hole having a recessed contoured aperture. The hollow, metal, or electrically conductive golf club shaft is placed into the bore hole of the club head, and an electric coil is placed inside the shaft. The electric coil is electrically pulsed, causing the shaft to expand outwardly to fit the contour of the aperture. The electro-formed, mechanically-bonded shaft is now permanently and integrally anchored to the golf club head. The club head aperture is additionally fitted with a plurality of vertically-disposed grooves along the vertical shaft axis. These vertical grooves capture the shaft as it expands outwardly to the internal surface during electromagnetic forming. The electromagnetically-formed shaft expands into these grooves and is prevented from rotationally or angularly slipping about the club head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for golfers, a training aid for detecting and indicating an out of balance condition of stance during practice swings. The device senses weight at the outer edge of the aft shoe of the user, calibrates or sets the weight sensed in a balanced stance condition as a null value or zero value, and signals the user when the weight then exceeds the null value.

Abstract: A method of aligning and addressing a golf ball upon a putting green in order to stroke and putt the golf ball into a cup of the green, comprising the steps of:a) resting a golf club upon a surface of a putting green with its shaft disposed at an acute angle with respect to the surface, in order to position a golfer with respect to a club head of the golf club, wherein his or her eye is directed directly over a reflective surface of the club head when addressing a golf ball, and a grip of said shaft being extended at an angle and adjacently to the side of the golfer;b) presenting the golf club in an addressing position, so that the club head is adjacent a golf ball, and is positioned to putt the golf ball, and the grip of the shaft is disposed in front of the golfer;c) optically aligning the club head towards a cup of the green by sighting a reflection of the cup upon a reflective surface on the club head, and adjusting the club head direction; andd) optically controlling the stroke of the club head by sighti

Abstract: A new method is disclosed of fabricating the joint between a golf club post and a drive shaft, as is the article fabricated therefrom. The golf club post to which the shaft attaches includes a circumferential recessed contour. The hollow, metal, electrically conductive golf club shaft is placed over the post, and an electric coil is placed around the shaft and post juncture. The electric coil is electrically pulsed, causing the shaft to shrink fit to the contour of the post. The electro-formed, mechanically bonded shaft is now permanently and integrally anchored to the golf club post. In a second embodiment, a non-conductive shaft of carbon fiber, for example, is electromagnetically bonded to the post, using a metallic ring, which is electromagnetically formed around the non-metallic shaft and post. In a third embodiment, the club head post is additionally fitted with at least one vertically disposed groove along the vertical axis of the post.

Abstract: A torque tube employing end members interconnected by a tubular member. The end members are provided with a male extension having radially spaced, axially extending grooves, the number of grooves, outer diameter of the end member, groove width and groove length being in prescribed proportions and ratios. The ends of the tubular member are positioned over the male end member extensions and the tube walls are conformed to the end member and grooves electromagnetically so that the tube walls are recessed into the grooves.