Friction Treatment (e.g., Welding) Patents (Class 156/73.5)
  • Patent number: 8186567
    Abstract: A method for weldbonding at least two work-pieces together includes applying an adhesive to a first surface of a first work-piece, and bringing the first surface of the first work-piece into contact with a surface of a second work-piece. The first work-piece and second work-piece are then friction stir or friction stir spot welded together, and the adhesive is cured. The use of bonding tools to maintain the two work-pieces together during curing of the adhesive is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Rajesh Talwar
  • Publication number: 20120125522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for producing a jointed member by subjecting two to-be-jointed members which are contacted each other to friction stir welding. The method for producing a jointed member executes a dwelling step in which a probe is rotated only for a predetermined period at least one of a probe starting point position which is a position of the probe for forming a joint starting point in the to-be-jointed member and a probe end point position which is a position of the probe for forming a joint end point in the to-be-jointed member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kato, Kazushige Yamasu
  • Patent number: 8181841
    Abstract: A linear friction welding system in one embodiment includes a ram configured to vibrate along a welding axis, at least one rocker arm with a first end portion spaced apart from the welding axis and constrained against movement along the welding axis, and a second end portion which is movable along the welding axis, and a first welding component support member configured to hold a first welding component, the first welding component support member operably connected to the ram and supported by the second end portion of the at least one rocker arm, such that vibration of the ram along the welding axis causes the location of the first welding component support member along an axis orthogonal to the welding axis to vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: APCI, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen A. Johnson, Thaddeus W. Gorski
  • Publication number: 20120088068
    Abstract: Disclosed are an aramid composite which satisfies bulletproof performance required for the related art, is lightweight and exhibits superior adhesive strength, and a method for producing the same. The aramid composite includes an aramid fabric, an adhesive layer and a metal substrate, wherein at least one of the surface of the aramid fabric and the surface of the metal substrate is modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jung Seop Lim, Jae Young Lee, Chang Bae Lee, In Sik Han
  • Publication number: 20120080134
    Abstract: An improved venturi-style eductor apparatus for dispensing chemicals into a motive fluid stream where an eductor body FIG. 3 is manufactured by molding a chemically inert polymer material FIG. 2 around and inside a metallic insert FIG. 1. Opposing ends of the metallic insert may be threaded, flanged, or machined for push-in connection to facilitate mating with a motive fluid source and a dispensing device. By manufacturing an eductor assembly using a single-piece metal insert over-molded with an inert polymer provides improved chemical resistance for aggressive applications and allows improvements in venturi geometry not achievable using traditional machined components. This apparatus reduces manufacturing cost over current state-of-the-art eductor assemblies by using a single molding step to create flow-path geometry in the eductor body while retaining mechanical strength with the metallic insert FIG. 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jaime Leonard Harris, Gary Allen Brown
  • Publication number: 20120048449
    Abstract: A welding tool, such as a vibration welding tool, includes one or more relief areas for material to flow into during a welding process to help prevent deformation of a substrate that a component is being attached to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Friedhelm Manzke, Douglas E. Redmond
  • Patent number: 8118957
    Abstract: In a vibration welding method and a vibration welding apparatus, a base plate and a vibrating plate which can be vibrated relatively to each other clamp an instrument panel, a storage box, and a duct as layers therebetween, which are joined to each other under pressure with vibration. A protective member of urethane is disposed on a workpiece rest for placing the base plate thereon. The storage box is made of a material having a relatively low melting point, and the duct is made of a material having a relatively high melting point. The thickness of the protective member is different depending on the location where the protective member supports the resin base, and the storage box or the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hisai, Shuji Kanamoto
  • Publication number: 20120031542
    Abstract: A method for connecting a pipe fitting with a buried pipe from above ground in which the top, outer wall surface of the buried pipe is exposed to an aboveground location, producing an exposed outer wall surface. An opening into the pipeline is formed at the exposed outer wall surface following which a fitting to be connected with the pipeline is inserted through the opening into the pipeline and connected with a circumferential pipe surface encircling the opening into the pipeline. Preferably, keyholing techniques are used to carry out the steps of the method so as to substantially limit the amount of excavation required compared with conventional pipe fitting connection procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Daniel Allen Ersoy, Ernest Lever
  • Patent number: 8109892
    Abstract: In a method of forming a compression sleeve, a wicking layer is provided that is strategically exposed to promote wicking and cooling of the body part acted upon by the sleeve. The wicking layer has a perimeter and a surface area. A bladder segment that defines a bladder has a surface area less than the surface area of the wicking layer. The surface area of the bladder segment is defined by the perimeter of the bladder material, less any openings formed through the bladder material. The wicking layer is secured to the bladder material so that portions of the wicking layer are not overlaid by the bladder material. The bladder segment is welded to the wicking layer along a seamline so that fibers of the wicking layer extend through the seamline and allow fluid wicked by the wicking layer to move through the seamline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Jennie Brown, Malcolm G. Bock, Raymond Avitable
  • Patent number: 8110054
    Abstract: A method for connecting at least two sheet-like formations, in particular at least two metal sheets with a thin material thickness for aircraft, comprises establishing butt-joint connections between the sheet-like formations by forming a joining region; mechanical processing of the sheet-like formations and/or of the joining region; mechanical and/or chemical adhesive pre-treatment of the sheet-like formations and/or of the joining region; and pasting-on at least one reinforcement element in the region of the top and/or the bottom of the joining region, wherein for the purpose of forming a second load path the width of the at least one reinforcement element is wider than the width 16 of the joining region. A connection is provided and made according to the method. A lightweight structure is also provided that comprises at least one connection according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Litzenberger, Marco Pacchione, Alexei Vichniakov
  • Publication number: 20120027323
    Abstract: A one way valve for exhaling or evacuating air from containers, such as storage bags for preserving food and other items. The one way valve device is attached or sealed airtight to the body of the bag's outer surface wherein the one way valve is centrally positioned over a hole created on the surface of the bag. The hole forms a passage for the air to be evacuated from the interior of the bag to be led to the one way valve device. The one way valve device is made of a composition that remembers its original form, the form of the device having at least two component arms that meet with a sealing male and female format that separates and opens to allow any and all of the air from the interior of the bag to be released through the use of human applied pressure against the bag flexible structure, thereby evacuating the air from the interior of the bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Nugent Vitallo, Mark Hasenberg, Peter Monaghan
  • Patent number: 8105460
    Abstract: A handling layer and adhesive parts having the handling layer are formed according to the present invention along with used therefore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: David Sheasley, Christopher Hable, Keith Madaus
  • Publication number: 20120013147
    Abstract: A spoiler includes an upper member and a lower member. The upper and lower members are joined together by vibration welding. One of the upper and lower members includes a main welding rib and an auxiliary welding rib. Each of the main welding rib and the auxiliary welding rib is protruded toward the other of the upper and members so as to be vibration welded to the other of the upper and lower members. The main welding rib is arranged to extend along a vibration direction of the vibration welding, and the auxiliary welding rib is arranged to extend along a direction perpendicular to the vibration direction. A height of the auxiliary welding rib is less than a height of the main welding rib before the vibration welding. The auxiliary welding rib is spaced apart from the main welding rib.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: INOAC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki EZAKA
  • Publication number: 20120000594
    Abstract: A method for producing a sputtering target assembly bonded to a backing plate. The method includes bonding a target to a high strength backing plate and further creating a vacuum seal between the target and the backing plate using friction stir welding processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: TOSOH SMD, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene Y. Ivanov, Erich Theado
  • Publication number: 20110315299
    Abstract: A pipe arrangement includes a pipe and a pipe coupling having on a front face a peripheral groove with a groove bottom. The pipe is insertable within the groove and weldable to the pipe coupling. At least one through opening structured and arranged to connect the groove to the surroundings of the pipe coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: NORMA GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Carsten ECKARDT, Peter HARTMANN, Oliver STRAUSS, Peter FOLTYN
  • Publication number: 20110308700
    Abstract: A spindle head for performing friction stir welding includes concentric spindle shafts driven by stacked, coaxial motors contained within a spindle housing. The coaxial arrangement of the motors results in a more compact package. Each of the motors is concentrically arranged around one of the spindles by directly connecting a rotor of the motor to a spindle shaft. The stators of the motors are mounted on the housing and are concentrically arranged around the concentric spindle shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kurt A. Burton, Mike P. Matlack, John Baumann, Herb Bommer
  • Patent number: 8066835
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for the production of a mitered corner joint between parts of a frame, by vibration welding. During the welding procedure, in each case two parts of a frame are displaced by oscillatory heads into mutually perpendicular straight-line translatorial oscillations, the phases of which have been matched to one another in such a way that mitered areas of the two parts of the frame oscillate perpendicularly with respect to a stationary mitered plane and through the same, while the mitered area is retained under a prescribed welding pressure in the system. The method and the apparatus can be used for the simultaneous production of the four corner joints of a frame, in particular of a frame of the moveable or fixed part of windows or of doors. For this, at least four, and preferably eight, oscillatory heads, which displace the parts of the frame into the translatorial oscillations, are synchronized in such a way that their frequencies and amplitudes are the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Branson Ultraschall, Fentech AG
    Inventors: Jörg Vetter, Peter Eugster, Beat Bruderer
  • Publication number: 20110277908
    Abstract: A method of sealing a ventilation channel for a pipe is disclosed. The method may include inserting a sealing insert into a ventilation hole of the ventilation channel, applying a vibrational energy to a region between the sealing insert and the ventilation channel, deactivating the vibrational energy once the sealing insert and the ventilation channel are welded together at the region, and forming a flush interface between the sealing insert and the ventilation channel at the ventilation hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Dave DOWNING, Roger Siferd, Nicholas Piazza, Stan Holowiecki, Howard Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20110272078
    Abstract: The lightweight component is equipped with two cover layers, which are made of a wood material, for example, and a filling disposed in between said layers after cutting everything to size, having an edge support comprising thermoplastic material. This is done in that the edge support is anchored both in the first cover layer and in the second cover layer starting from the narrow side, wherein the anchoring is achieved in that the edge support is brought into contact with the respective cover layer and mechanical vibrations are coupled into the edge support by a sonotrode engaging from the narrow side, wherein the edge support at the same time is pressed against the cover layer such that in the region of a transition between the thermoplastic material and the wood material of the cover layer part of the thermoplastic material is liquefied and pushed into the cover layer material, thereby producing a positively engaged anchoring after hardening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Laurent Torriani, Mario Lehmann, Marcel Aeschlimann
  • Publication number: 20110272343
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extracorporeal blood filtration involving the connection of a patient's cardiovascular circulation to an extracorporeal circulatory circuit, and filtration devices suitable for use in such apparatus and methods are disclosed. Such filtration devices include a filter medium comprising a layer of non-woven fabric (21) impregnated with porous beads (22) and carrying a porous screen (23) on at least one side. This invention enables the removal or particular molecular species such as pro-inflammatory cytokines from a patient's circulation, and is of particular utility in cardiopulmonary bypass and haemodialysis-like procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: BRIGHTWAKE LIMITED
    Inventors: Terence Gourlay, Stephen Cotton
  • Publication number: 20110265703
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to the efficient reinforcement of molded kiss-offs in a kayak. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a personal self-propelled watercraft comprising a unitary molded plastic body comprising a hull and a seat, a kiss-off connecting two proximate surfaces of the self-propelled watercraft, and a plastic reinforcing structure welded within an interior of the kiss-off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: JACKSON KAYAK, INC.
    Inventor: Brad Sisco
  • Publication number: 20110268494
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing welded lap joints comprising the following steps: Providing of two components each having at least one base; allocating the components in such a way that the bases face each other and the components overlap in an overlapping area, which extends at least partially over both components; joining the components by welding in the overlapping area such that a weld joint is formed, wherein at the edge of the overlapping area non welded areas are formed; removing of the non welded areas whereby outer cutting areas are formed at the components, which are arranged at obtuse angles to the overlapping area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Marco Pacchione, Juergen Silvanus
  • Publication number: 20110236277
    Abstract: Provided are a plastic microfluid control device having a multi-step microchannel and a method of manufacturing the same. The device includes a lower substrate, and a fluid channel substrate contacting the lower substrate and having a multi-step microchannel having at least two depths in a side coupling to the lower substrate. Thus, the device can precisely control the fluid flow by controlling capillary force in a depth direction of the channel by controlling the fluid using the multi-step microchannel having various channel depths. A multi-step micropattern is formed by repeating photolithography and transferred, thereby easily forming the multi-step microchannel having an even surface and a precisely controlled height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Dae Sik LEE, Hyun Woo Song, Kwang Hyo Chung, Seon Hee Park, Moon Youn Jung, Seung Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8025946
    Abstract: A vibration-welded structure includes a welding rib having a weld surface, which is provided on each of two parts to be welded with each other. At least one guide portion is provided on one of the two parts, and the at least one guide portion is capable of guiding a movement of the welding rib of the other of the two parts in a vibration direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Kyo Fujita, Minoru Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8016966
    Abstract: A stackable equipment container includes at least one reinforcement panel made of a composite material attached to the container on an interior surface proximate an arrangement of stackable elements. The panel is attached to the container using spin-weld plugs installed at a high rotation rate. Through the installation of the spin-weld plugs, the panel becomes fused or welded to the container. In one embodiment, the rotation rate of the spin-weld plugs during installation is sufficient to cause the panel and container to locally vulcanize with each other and with the spin-weld plugs. The panel provides the container with increased strength and operates to minimize or eliminate distortion of the stackable elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Environmental Cotainer Systems
    Inventor: Dennis M. Becklin
  • Publication number: 20110214799
    Abstract: When a friction stir weld tool penetrates the interface of two workpieces of dissimilar metal alloy materials, the resultant weld of the different alloy materials may produce a weak weld joint. Such weak joints are often experienced, for example, when attempting to form spot welds or other friction stir welds between a magnesium alloy sheet or strip and an aluminum alloy sheet or strip. It is discovered that suitable coating compositions including an adhesive placed at the interface of assembled workpieces can alter the composition of the friction stir weld material and strengthen the resulting bond. In the example of friction stir welds between magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy workpieces, it is found that combinations of an adhesive with copper, tin, zinc, and/or other powders can strengthen the magnesium-containing and aluminum-containing friction stir weld material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert T. Szymanski, Sri Krishna Chimbli, Mark T. Hall, Yen-Lung Chen
  • Publication number: 20110209811
    Abstract: Perfluoropolymer parts containing (reinforcing) fibers oriented parallel to the surface of the parts may be joined by frictional welding processes such as vibration welding and ultrasonic welding without disturbing the orientation of the fibers. The parts may be used directly or cut into other shapes. Such parts are useful where high temperature resistance and/or chemical resistance is desired along with good physical properties such as strength and/or toughness. These types of parts include gaskets and seal rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: J. David Booze, Clifford K. Deakyne, Thomas P. Gannett
  • Publication number: 20110192781
    Abstract: Housings for reverse osmosis filter cartridges and methods of making the same. The housings include: (1) a hollow cylindrical liner formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is adapted to surround a reverse osmosis filter cartridge; (2) a hollow head assembly that includes a transition collar portion formed of a thermoplastic polymer that is joined to said liner and a barrel portion formed of a chopped glass fiber-filled polymer that is overmolded onto said transition collar portion; (3) an end plug that is adapted to be received within an opening in the barrel portion; and (4) an overwrap layer comprising wound glass filaments and a polymeric resin that covers the outer surfaces of the liner and head assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: ENPRESS, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas S. Stolarik, Douglas M. Horner, Michael P. Mormino, Robert John Pristas
  • Publication number: 20110192523
    Abstract: A method for joining a first component made of a plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic material, to a second component by applying a joining element on the first component, wherein the joining element has a supporting plate formed of a thermoplastic and/or thermosetting plastic material and comprising a connecting means and a supporting plate bore. A joining element for creating a junction in accordance with the method, is also disclosed. Furthermore, a device, in particular for performing the method, is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Vas, Stephan Vissers
  • Publication number: 20110168320
    Abstract: A flame retardant patch for repairing a tear or hole in clothing or gear includes a flame resistant fabric and a pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to the fabric by hot melt lamination. The pressure sensitive adhesive contains halogenated flame retardant compounds. A release paper covers the pressure sensitive adhesive and is removed to allow application of the flame retardant patch to the clothing or other item being repaired. The patch is attached by applying pressure to the top fabric surface of the patch for approximately 45 seconds using the convex surface of a spoon-like object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Llano
  • Patent number: 7964046
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for vibration welding. The vibration welding is performed with a plurality of mechanically decoupled oscillating heads, each of which is connected with a frequency converter. An electrical circuit connects the frequency converters such that one of the frequency converters can be operated as the master and the other frequency converters as slaves. With the help of the controlling effect of the master, both a synchronous and a targeted asynchronous operation of the plurality of oscillating heads can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Branson Ultraschall Niederlassung der Emerson Technologies GmbH & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Christian Neuroth, Heiko Priem
  • Patent number: 7955458
    Abstract: A system that delivers window or door components to an assembly station where multiple components are assembled to form a multi-sided window or door frame or sash. A preparation station in proximity to the assembly station includes an alignment fixture for bringing multiple frame or sash components into alignment while a preceding frame or sash is being assembled at the assembly station. A conveyor moves aligned components of a next subsequent frame or sash to the assembly station while maintaining the alignment of said window components for clamping at the assembly station prior to assembly. One system is used to assemble vinyl door or window components by welding them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Auletta, John Grismer, Timothy B. McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 7955459
    Abstract: One side of a metal sheet is joined to a polymer layer by applying heat to a joining area on the opposite side of the metal. The heat flows through the thin metal to activate a thermoplastic material or heat setting polymer into a bond with the metal. The method can be used to bond the metal sheet to a plastic body or another metal member. It is preferred to use a friction or friction stir tool to heat the metal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yen-Lung Chen, Peter H. Foss, Mark W. Verbrugge, Xiaohong Q. Gayden
  • Patent number: 7950208
    Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material includes a supporting body, and a first work surface which interacts, in use, with a second work surface on a further jaw to grip the material to be sealed and perform a sealing operation; one of the jaws defines an anvil, and the other of the jaws defines heating means; the jaw has connecting means for connecting the first surface to the supporting body; the connecting means define a curved third and a curved fourth surface made of rigid material and cooperating mutually to allow the first surface to oscillate with respect to the supporting body when gripping the packaging material prior to the sealing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Mancin, Francesco Giordano, Ernesto Di Dodo
  • Publication number: 20110120353
    Abstract: A rackable pallet having an upper deck, a lower deck, and a center frame connecting the upper and lower decks together to form a rackable pallet. At least one of the upper deck, lower deck, and center frame comprises a structural foam molded thermoplastic resin material. A reinforcement support structure may be disposed between the center frame and lower deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Guy Jensen, Terry L. Ingham
  • Publication number: 20110120622
    Abstract: Apparatus for welding a workpiece includes an ultrasonic welding device, and a thermal welding device, wherein the ultrasonic welding device and the thermal welding device are moveable towards one another so as to act on opposite sides of the workpiece. While the thermal welding device heats the workpiece to a suitable temperature, the ultrasonic welding device executes the welding operation. Heating and welding may hereby be carried out simultaneously or successively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: TELSONIC HOLDING AG
    Inventor: HARTMUT MOEGLICH
  • Publication number: 20110108184
    Abstract: A method for controlling welding forces of a weld tip to a work piece during a vibration-welding process includes positioning an Active Material (AM) element adjacently to a welding interface, and varying a property of the AM element to regulate the welding force. The AM element may be disposed between the weld tip and a weld face thereof, or between the work piece and an anvil. The property may be varied as a function of heat generated by the welding process. A property of each of a plurality of AM elements may be independently and selectively varied via an energy source, or passively. A vibration welding system includes a weld tip and an AM element connected adjacently to a welding interface. The system regulates a welding force applied by the weld tip to a work piece during the welding process by varying a property of the AM element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne W. Cai, Xiujie Gao, Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne
  • Patent number: 7938310
    Abstract: A welded assembly includes a weld joint formed via a spin welding process. A disc receives a cylinder prior to spin welding, with the disc having a circumferential groove undercutting or defining an annular shelf. An interlocking feature retaining the cylinder and disc is formed between a flow pattern of the cylinder and the annular shelf upon cooling of molten flash in the groove underneath the annular shelf. Teeth can be formed integrally with the disc to provide a torsional interlocking feature between the disc and cylinder. A method for forming a weld joint between a plastic cylinder and disc includes providing the disc with a circumferential groove forming an annular shelf, and rotating the cylinder with respect to the disc under an axial force to thereby form an outflow of molten flash. The flash forms an interlocking feature when cooled after flowing into the groove underneath the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Richard M. Kleber
  • Patent number: 7935211
    Abstract: A method of welding a window frame provides a welding system (10) having movable head fixtures (16). Certain of the head fixtures include cutting structure (37) and each head fixture includes heat supplying structure (40). A one-piece lineal (20) has first and second ends and notches therein. The lineal is loaded with respect to the head fixtures, with portions of the lineal being folded about the notches to define folded corners. Head fixtures are moved to clamp on the lineal. The cutting structure cuts the lineal generally at each notch to separate each of the folded corners from the lineal, with each corner of the lineal being defined by a pair of ends. The head fixtures are repositioned so as to provide a space between each pair of ends. A heat supplying structure is inserted into the space to heat each pair of ends and then removed. The head fixtures are moved so that each pair of ends contact and join in a thermally welded manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Frank LaSusa
  • Patent number: 7909229
    Abstract: A method for joining materials in which a second material is overlapped over a first material preliminarily formed with a joining hole so as to cover the joining hole. A joining tool arranged in alignment with the joining hole is pressed, while rotated, onto the second material so as to locally soften and enter the second material in solid phase state into the joining hole of the first material through frictional heat generated between the joining tool and the second material. The joining tool is pulled out after a geometric engaging part is provided by the second material in relation with the first material and the engaging part is allowed to harden to join the first and second materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20110062287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of joining a thermoplastic material (10) to a fibre composite material (11), the thermoplastic material (10) being welded to the fibre composite material (11), wherein the fibre composite material is a fibre-rein-=forced matrix material or comprises a fibre-reinforced matrix material and wherein the matrix material is a thermoset or comprises a thermoset. Preferably, the thermoplastic material (10) and the fibre composite material (11) are welded together by motion welding and/or by induction welding. In addition, it is preferred that, for the preferred induction welding, an electrically conductive material is arranged in a joint area between the thermoplastic material and the fibre composite material and induction heat is generated in the electrically conductive material which is sufficient to cause the thermoplastic material to start to melt and to heat the fibre composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicants: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH, EADS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Sabine Metzech, Jürgen Schenk, Georg Wachinger
  • Publication number: 20110056611
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive instrument panel for eliminating distortion in an area of vibration welded air bags comprises: providing a weld fixture including at least one pre-stressor protrusion; placing the at least one pre-stressor protrusion against an instrument panel; generating a force to press the weld fixture against the instrument panel to create compression in a first surface of the instrument panel where the weld fixture contacts the instrument panel and to create tension in a second surface of the instrument panel, the second surface opposite to the first surface; and vibration welding an air bag chute to the instrument panel such that a weld bar of the air bag chute is welded to the second surface of the instrument panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Gregg S. Evans
  • Patent number: 7891535
    Abstract: A method of making a tailored blank comprising the following steps: (a) friction welding first and second structural members together at a substantially right angle with respect to each other to form an intersection comprising a first joining surface formed by adjoining bottom faces of the first and second structural members, and a second joining surface formed by an angled face of the first structural member that is disposed at a first oblique angle relative to the bottom face of the first structural member; (b) friction welding the first joining surface of the intersection to a first portion of a surface of a base member; and (c) concurrently linear friction welding first and second joining surfaces of a third structural member to the second joining surface of the intersection and to a second portion of the surface of the base member respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin T. Slattery, Christopher H. Swallow, Loren J. Strahm
  • Patent number: 7892374
    Abstract: A method for welding material including: applying a release material to a first film, the release material applied to locations where a weld is not desired; positioning a second film opposite the first film, the release material being positioned between the first film and the second film; placing the first film and the second film between planar press plates having planar surfaces and closing the press plates on the first film and the second film; applying energy to at least one of the press plates to weld the first film to the second film where the release material is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dielectrics Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Pekar
  • Patent number: 7883048
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the combining of hollow fibers to form a bundle, wherein after a batch-wise taking of continuously manufactured hollow fibers onto a reel apparatus the hollow fibers placed together to form bundles are wound around by means of a winding film and are subsequently welded. Such hollow fibers represent intermediate products in the manufacture of dialyzers for use in hemodialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Jörn Hörmann
  • Publication number: 20110029078
    Abstract: Synthetic structures for soft tissue repair include a multi-layer planar fibrillar structure having layers which are intermittently secured to each other and which approximates mechanical properties comparable to those of soft tissue. In embodiments, the fibrillar structure possesses an intermittently secured edge portion secured by intermittent welds. In embodiments, the multi layer planar fibrillar structure includes a bioactive agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony Ratcliffe, Andreas Kern, Mohammad Sotoudeh, Fatemeh Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 7879124
    Abstract: There is provided an air cleaner in which an adsorption element for adsorbing vaporized fuel is surely fixed to a housing without additionally providing a special step, and moreover the performance of element and the performance of an air cleaner itself can be maintained, and a manufacturing method for the air cleaner. The air cleaner is configured so that a filter element and an adsorption element for adsorbing vaporized fuel are incorporated in a housing formed by joining the open ends of a pair of housing members to each other. At the open end of each of the housing members, a welding protrusion projecting toward the open end on the other side is formed, and a connecting portion formed with a welding protrusion is provided on a holding frame of the adsorption element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyo Roki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Soichi Uemura, Wataru Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7862671
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to welding of a polymeric material and structures formed by such welding. The material is preferably a thermoplastic material that is a blend of one or more thermoplastic polyolefins and one or more elastomers. One preferred welding technique is vibration welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James Thomas Seliskar, James David Oelberg
  • Publication number: 20100326740
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a bonded assembly comprises providing a first and second portion of the assembly; preparing a mating surface on each portion that conforms substantially to the mating surface of the other portion; rapidly heating a bonding material while substantially heating no more than a thin surface zone adjacent each mating surface, and rapidly assembling the two portions in such a manner as to confine a fraction of the bonding material between the mating surfaces. The first portion may comprise polycrystalline diamond or thermally stable polycrystalline diamond; the second portion may comprise cobalt-cemented tungsten carbide. The assembly may comprise a tool for high-impact applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: David R. Hall, H. Tracy Hall, JR.
  • Patent number: 7854246
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method and a device for forming a weld joint at the connecting surfaces between two parts. At the connecting surfaces a heatable element is provided, during warm-up the two parts approach each other, and the heatable element is also moved or positioned depending on the movement or position of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Urban GmbH & Co. Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Tesch