Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for ultrasonic bonding or other processing can include a rotatable ultrasonic horn member (28) and a rotatable axle member (34). The axle member is operatively joined to the horn member (28), and can provide a node plane (38). An isolation member (42) can be operatively joined to the axle member (34), and may have a location that is operatively proximate the node plane (38) of the axle member (34). In a particular aspect, the isolation member (42) can exhibit high rigidity. In a further feature, the isolation member (42) is capable of bending under a horn-life range of sonic frequencies to provide an operative component of motion along a radial direction (102), and an operative component of motion along an axial direction (100) of the isolation member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20) can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) that is operatively joined to an isolation member (42) which has high rigidity. Additionally, a rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106) between the anvil member (86) and the horn member (28). A transfer device (110) can be configured to selectively adjust the horn-anvil gap (106), and an automated drive (130) can be operatively connected to the transfer device (110) to selectively modify the horn-anvil gap (106). A force sensor (126) can be configured to detect a gap force at the horn-anvil gap (106), and an electronic processor (128) can be configured to employ an output from the force sensor (126) to monitor the gap force, and provide a drive signal to the automated drive (130) to thereby adjust the horn-anvil gap (106).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for ultrasonic bonding or other processing can include a rotatable ultrasonic horn member (28) having a first axial side (30) and a second axial side (32). The first axial side (30) of the horn member (28) can be operatively joined to a first rotatable axle member (34), and the first axle member (34) can be operatively joined to a first isolation member (42). The second axial side (32) of the horn member (28) can be operatively joined to a second rotatable axle member (36), and the second axle member (36) can be operatively joined to a second isolation member (44). The isolation members (42, 44) are capable of bending under a horn-life range of sonic frequencies to provide an operative component of motion along a radial direction (102) of each isolation member (42, 44), and an operative component of motion along an axial direction (100) of each isolation member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20) can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) that is operatively joined to an isolation member (42) which has high rigidity. Additionally, a rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106) between the anvil member (86) and the horn member (28). A transfer device (110) can be configured to selectively adjust the horn-anvil gap (106), and an automated drive (130) can be operatively connected to the transfer device (110) to selectively modify the horn-anvil gap (106). A force sensor (126) can be configured to detect a gap force at the horn-anvil gap (106), and an electronic processor (128) can be configured to employ an output from the force sensor (126) to monitor the gap force, and provide a drive signal to the automated drive (130) to thereby adjust the horn-anvil gap (106).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for ultrasonic bonding or other processing can include a rotatable ultrasonic horn member (28) having a first axial side (30) and a second axial side (32). The first axial side (30) of the horn member (28) can be operatively joined to a first rotatable axle member (34), and the first axle member (34) can be operatively joined to a first isolation member (42). The second axial side (32) of the horn member (28) can be operatively joined to a second rotatable axle member (36), and the second axle member (36) can be operatively joined to a second isolation member (44). The isolation members (42, 44) are capable of bending under a horn-life range of sonic frequencies to provide an operative component of motion along a radial direction (102) of each isolation member (42, 44), and an operative component of motion along an axial direction (100) of each isolation member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for ultrasonic bonding or other processing can include a rotatable ultrasonic horn member (28) and a rotatable axle member (34). The axle member is operatively joined to the horn member (28), and can provide a node plane (38). An isolation member (42) can be operatively joined to the axle member (34), and may have a location that is operatively proximate the node plane (38) of the axle member (34). In a particular aspect, the isolation member (42) can exhibit high rigidity. In a further feature, the isolation member (42) is capable of bending under a horn-life range of sonic frequencies to provide an operative component of motion along a radial direction (102), and an operative component of motion along an axial direction (100) of the isolation member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20) can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) that is operatively joined to an isolation member (42) which has high rigidity. A rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106), and an automated drive (130) can be connected to an actuator (110), or other transfer device, to automatically adjust the horn-anvil gap (106). An electronic processor (128) can be configured to monitor an intermittent gap force detected from an output provided by a force sensor (126), and can provide a drive signal to the automated drive (130) to thereby adjust the horn-anvil gap (106) to operatively maintain a target, gap force value.

Abstract: A ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20), can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) operatively joined to a first isolation member (42) and a second isolation member (44). In a particular aspect, the first and second isolation members (42, 44) can exhibit high rigidity. A rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106), and the anvil member (86) can be located in a horizontally offset and vertically overlapping arrangement relative to the horn member (28). An actuator (110) or other transfer device can selectively adjust the horn-anvil gap (106). Additionally, an ultrasonic exciter (82) can connect to the horn member (28), and can provide an operative amount of ultrasonic energy to the horn member (28).

Abstract: A break-way coupling with spaced weakened sections includes a central controlled breaking region and rigid threaded bolts at each end for connection to a base at one end and to a pole or the like at the other end. The controlled breaking region includes two axially spaced necked-down portions of smaller diameter and solid cross-section. Where the axil length of the controlled breaking region is L and the necked-down portions have a diameter D, the dimensions D and L are selected so that the ratio D/L is within the range D/L.ltoreq.0.3. The necked-down portions have conical tapered surfaces to insure that at least one of the necked-down portions break upon bending prior to contact between any surfaces forming or defining the necked-down portions.