Abstract: A resistance weld shielding control system includes a computer that is executed to control a fixture to receive and hold at least one part to be welded. The computer also controls one or more electrodes to apply electrical energy to the part for welding the at least one part, and controls a gas delivery system to direct an inert gas onto the part for shielding the part from the ambient atmosphere via a nozzle. The nozzle is configured in the fixture such that the fixture holds the nozzle in a fixed physical relationship to the part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of providing a duplex stainless steel strip for an armouring layer of a flexible pipe, said method comprising providing at least two duplex stainless steel pieces each having an end-face, welding said end-faces of said two pieces of duplex stainless steel together to form a welded interface section using resistance welding, such as dual upset welding or flash welding, and providing a controlled cooling of said welded interface section. The duplex stainless steel strip should preferably be heated to a temperature of at least about 1100° C., preferably at least about 1200° C., such as at least about 1500° C. in said interface section, and the controlled cooling of said welded interface section preferably comprises prolonging the cooling of the interface section preferably at least for the cooling from about 800° C. to about 600° C., more preferably at least for the cooling from about 1100° C. to about 600° C.

Abstract: A method of connecting two components includes providing an assembly including a first component and a second component, optically sensing a connection region between the first component and the second component to produce an image, defining a substantially elliptical path in a three-dimensional space based on the image, and initiating relative movement between the assembly and welding means such that the welding means is positioned, by relative movement, along the substantially elliptical path to produce a weld between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for introducing studs (2) into work pieces by welding using a welding station which is supplied with the studs via a conveyor section (11).

Abstract: An article with an embossment thereon is fabricated by providing an article precursor, providing an embossment precursor, and flash welding the embossment precursor and the article precursor together, to form the article with the embossment thereon.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a ball forming process in a wire bonder. A glow discharge parameter between an electrode on the wire bonder and an end of a wire mounted on the wire bonder on which the ball is being formed is monitored. The monitored parameter is compared with a reference value to determine whether the ball formed is satisfactory.

Abstract: A guide pin comprising a metal core and a generally smooth, non-porous insulative ceramic layer disposed on the metal core. An intermediate layer comprising titanium-carbonitride (TiCN) may be disposed on the metal core, thereby improving bonding of the ceramic layer to the guide pin assembly. In an important feature, the insulative layer is generally nonporous and has high hardness, and thus exhibits excellent wear resistance. The intermediate and insulative layers are deposited by a chemical vapor deposition process known as the “Bernex” process that results in a very hard, generally nonporous coating.

Abstract: An installation for positioning edge to edge and welding by means of a laser beam at least two sheet blanks comprises means for supporting and positioning a first sheet blank in a horizontal reference plane, means for positioning the edge to be welded of the first sheet blank on the axis of the laser beam, means for maintaining the edge to be welded of the first sheet blank, means for clamping the first sheet blank, means for supporting and positioning at least one second sheet blank, means for maintaining the edge to be welded of the second sheet blank against the edge to be welded of the first sheet blank, means for clamping with a sectorized pressure the second sheet blank, means for exerting a lateral and sectorized pressure on the edges to be welded of the sheet blanks, and a welding unit employing a laser beam movable along the joint plane of the sheet blanks to be welded.

Abstract: A fuel rod for a nuclear reactor includes a metal cladding tube filled with nuclear fuel and having ends, an outer surface, and a longitudinal axis. A metal seal plug is welded to one of the ends of the cladding tube at a transition point, defining an annular bead on the outer surface of the cladding tube at the transition point. The annular bead has a cylindrical outer jacket surface with jacket lines being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cladding tube. The annular bead has material being formed of the metal of the cladding tube and the metal of the seal plug. A welding apparatus for producing a fuel rod includes an electrode having a through bore formed therein for receiving one end of a cladding tube. A counter electrode is displaceable relative to the electrode for holding a seal plug to be welded the one end of the cladding tube. The electrode has a cylindrical step formed therein at an end of the through bore facing toward the counter electrode.

Abstract: The endwise resistance welding of a weld coupling to a plate. The weld coupling is mounted in a collet which is mounted slideably in a cavity in a block of conducting material. In the standby condition of the apparatus the collet is urged outwardly of the cavity by a spring between the block and the collet. The end of the block at the entrance to the cavity and the outward end of the collet have frustro-conical or tapered surfaces tapered at the same angle to the common axis of the block and collet. The surfaces are face-to-face. This assembly including the weld coupling is mounted on the movable electrode of the welder. During welding this electrode is moved towards the cooperative electrode, on which the plate is mounted, compressing the weld coupling against the plate. Under the reactive forces from the coupling and plate, the collet is moved inwardly of the block causing the tapered surface of the collet to slide with a cam-like motion along the tapered surface of the block.

Abstract: This method of electric welding metal band ends together comprises a fusion cycle with the introduction of inert gas, a cooling cycle with the introduction of cooling air, and an annealing cycle. The method is carried out in a fusion head having grippers to manipulate the band ends, and a control system for the grippers, inert gas, cooling air, welding and annealing currents and timing functions.

Abstract: The average winding diameter of a finite roller band length wound on a supply coil is increased by having the roller band rewound from the supply coil to a storage coil of a larger than the winding diameter, which encloses the supply coil concentrically. During the uncoiling of the band stored on the storage coil for purposes of a continuous manufacturing operation, a welding device is arranged in the annular area between the external diameter of the supply coil and the internal diameter of the storage coil and welds the band trailing end of the storage coil together with the band and leading end of the supply coil. The contents of the supply coil are then taken over by the storage coil, and while this material is uncoiled, a further supply coil is inserted and its leading edge welded to the end of the storage coil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for attaching welding pins to sheet metal, and particularly for attaching by a resistance welding procedure pins for retaining insulating material to a duct substrate. A characterizing feature of the invention resides in the provision of a fixed hopper member for receiving bulk quantities of weld pins and a carriage movable relative to the hopper for enabling the pins to be applied to the duct at spaced points, the combination including means for discharging a plurality of oriented pins from the bulk supply hopper to the movable carriage responsive to predetermined movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a continuous railroad track including a mobile welding plant which is comprised of, for example, a string of flat cars for transporting a number of already formed continuous rails, another flat car or the like carrying means such as a winch and other related apparatus for delivering the individual continuous rails to the mobile welding plant, and another flat car or the like transporting a puller or pusher apparatus for controlling the movement of the continuous track which is formed, in and from the mobile welding plant.

Abstract: An automatic welding apparatus comprises a positioning mechanism successively supplied with a first workpiece, for positioning the first workpiece so that a joint part of the first workpiece faces towards a predetermined direction, a holding and moving mechanism for holding and moving the first workpiece which is positioned by the positioning mechanism, a holding mechanism provided at a position opposing a second workpiece which is successively supplied, for receiving the first workpiece moved by the holding and moving mechanism and holding the first workpiece in a state where the joint part of the first workpiece opposes the second workpiece, and a welding mechanism for welding the first work held by holding mechanism and the second workpiece in a confronting state, at the joint part of the first workpiece.

Abstract: This application relates to a method and apparatus for welding together small oxide coated components by driving a sharp edge or point of one part into a face of another part and then discharging electrical energy, for example, a capacitively stored electrical current through the joint. Precision micrometer control of the distance one part accelerates toward the other along with continuously adjustable spring tension are used to program the inelastic collision of the two parts. The electrical discharge circuit is controlled to provide a controlled arc after collision.

Abstract: A second workpiece component, such as a rectangular frame member, is positioned on a first workpiece component, such as the end of a rectangular duct. The first workpiece component is engaged by a clamp member secured to a frame so that the first workpiece component remains fixed relative to the frame. A positioning device, which is secured to a securing device such as a spot welder, is moved into abutting relation with the second workpiece component. The positioning device moves the second workpiece component to a preselected location on the first workpiece component while the securing device moves to a preselected location in overlying and underlying relation with the first and second workpiece components. In this position, the second workpiece component is secured to the first workpiece component at a preselected location.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning and securing apparatus includes a fixed frame for slidably supporting a welding machine into and out of a preselected position relative to a pair of workpiece components to be welded together. A first workpiece component is fixed by a clamping device on the frame. A second workpiece component is supported by a positioning member that is movable with the welding machine into a predetermined position relative to the first workpiece component. A pair of piston cylinders actuate the clamping device to fixedly engage the first workpiece component. A second pair of piston cylinders on the frame are operable to simultaneously move the welding machine and the second workpiece component into a preselected position relative to the first workpiece component.

Abstract: A welding machine for the continuous welding of spot contacts on a support material is provided wherein the contact material in the form of wire, tape or sectional shape is supplied to a cutting tip, along a path parallel to the welding electrode, and is sheared off by a cutter movable at a right angle to the welding electrode, so that the contact "pill" is pushed into the gap formed between the welding electrode and the support material.

Abstract: A percussion welder includes a single acting main cylinder having a ram extending through both ends of the cylinder mounting a spring loaded chuck on one end of the ram and an adjustable return spring on its other end.An automated version includes a hollow ram for the main cylinder through which a stud to be welded is blown from an escapement in a vibratory feeder bowl. The escapement has two spaced guide rails which receive the studs in a single column and a block which slides transversely across the end of the rails to pick off a single stud and move it into alignment with a gush of air which blows the stud head first through a tube to the hollow ram. A chuck having a stationary and a movable clamp is mounted on the opposite end of the ram. An actuator is disposed adjacent the chuck and opens the chuck to permit the stud to pass therethrough and at the same time places a platform beneath the chuck to prevent the stud from exiting the chuck more than a selected distance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grid welding machine operating on the electrical resistance welding principle and having continuous forward feed of the longitudinal wires. Groups of rotary electrodes and counter-electrodes cooperate in pairs and are arranged above and below the feed path of the longitudinal wires respectively. The electrodes and counter-electrodes are formed as rollers, opposite each electrode roller on the far side of the feed path of the longitudinal wires a counter-electrode being disposed in the same plane. The electrode rollers are spring-loaded individually in the direction towards the associated counterelectrode roller. Between the counter-electrode rollers and coaxially therewith there are arranged substantially circular cross-wire feed discs each having a number of grooves provided at angular intervals along the periphery of said disc for receiving said cross-wires.

Abstract: A transport drum is located adjacent two positions, one being a severing position in which a severing punch is located adjacent the drum to punch out contact plates in the order of at most 3 mm surface area from a strip of contact material, and place the punched-out plates in suitable openings formed at the circumference of the drum which, upon indexing rotation to the welding position, transports the plates thereto. Punch elements and welding electrodes have one portion of the elements located inside the drum, the other outside the drum adjacent the respective position. The contact carrier, for example in strip form, is fed to the drum, preferably tangentially, the contact plate being welded on the carrier at the welding position. Preferably, and simultaneously with the severing operation, the contact strip is deformed in advance of the severing so that the next subsequent severing operation will already accept a deformed element to provide a welding bump for concentrated application of spot welding current.

Abstract: A welding gun for wire spring relays has jaws designed to clamp the wire contact arm with the end of the wire on which the contact is to be welded projecting a predetermined amount through the jaws. Mechanism on the gun brings the contact against the clamped wire (to which it is to be welded) with a predetermined spring pressure, the mechanism increases the pressure between contact and wire by a consistent amount before initiating the welding operation.

Abstract: A stud welding gun having means for automatically feeding studs to the barrel of the gun is provided with a stud receiver which facilitates removal of jammed studs from the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to produce a gold, inlaid contact surface for an electrical contact device by welding gold ribbon segments to the contact device wire base prior to the coining, trimming, slotting and various other forming operations which transform the wire base into a finished contact device. The apparatus features a sequential arrangement of gripping devices which manipulate the gold ribbon for processing as stated above, a welding apparatus for combining the gold ribbon segment with the contact wire base, a cutting device for cutting the gold ribbon and apparatus for forming the finished electrical contact device. The product features a formed contact device including a wire support member and a contact material simultaneously formed and flattened, to provide a minimum amount of inlaid or coined gold for effecting desirable contact characteristics.

Abstract: A weldable fastener for supporting insulation adjacent to a surface and apparatus for welding the fastener are provided. The insulation fastener is specifically designed for applying insulating material to the outer surface of a wall of a cryogenic container, which walls are commonly made of aluminum. The fastener includes, in the preferred form, an aluminum stud having a weldable end and a recess at the opposite end. A strong plastic-glass fiber rod, which is preferably made by a pultrusion process, is affixed in the recess of the stud and extends outwardly therefrom, coaxially with the stud. After the insulation is placed over the rod and stud and against the surface, a suitable clip or washer is applied over the end of the rod to hold the insulation in place. The apparatus for welding the stud to the surface includes a stud welding tool which operates by a known end-welding technique. The tool has a chuck leg terminating in an offset member holding a chuck at one side of the tool.

Abstract: Contact beads of noble metal are welded to a substrate of less corrosion-resistant metal in an apparatus in which one electrode formed with a receptacle is moved cyclically between a welding position adjacent another, stationary electrode and a remote feeding position. A gap between the electrodes receives the substrate, and blanks of contact bead material are fed into the laterally open receptacle through a stationary guide aligned with the receptacle in the feeding position of the movable electrode in a direction transverse to the direction of electrode movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning nuts to be welded to a base such as a steel sheet. The base is located between a pair of relatively movable welding electrodes, one of which has a retractable nut supporting and locating pin with a tapered shoulder, the pin being movable in the electrode and extending from its contact face. A nut is placed on the pin and locked onto the tapered shoulder. As the electrodes move together to a welding position the supporting and locating pin is depressed so that the nut comes into engagement with the contact face of the respective electrode. The nut is consequently freed from its taper lock on the supporting and locating pin as it is pressed against the base by the contact face of the respective electrode. Welding current is then passed between the electrodes through the nut and the base to weld the nut in place.

Abstract: A welding apparatus for welding together arcuate components, for example a platform and web of a brake shoe comprises a pair of opposed clamping members which are relatively movable to engage the web, one on each side thereof, over a substantial portion of the web surface area. The clamping members are continuously rotated by suitable drive arrangement. Preferably, two such pairs of clamping members are provided for clamping respective webs.

Abstract: Apparatus for joining a first workpiece from a supply station to a second workpiece at a work station which accurately positions the first workpiece in engagement with the second workpiece at a predetermined location spaced from the periphery of the second workpiece. Positioning means are provided for transferring the first workpiece from the supply station to the work station in a manner such that the first workpiece is spaced from the second workpiece during such transfer until it is moved to the predetermined location in engagement with the second workpiece. The positioning means includes a transfer guide and a transfer device for transferring the first workpiece along the transfer guide to the work station.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for fabricating an orificed wall for a feeder for flowing streams of filament forming material such as molten glass by punching an aperture through a plate from one side to the other and then permanently depressing the plate immediately adjacent the aperture at the other side to such an extent that any tendency to bow from the aperture forming operation is essentially negated.

Abstract: Apparatus for the mounting and shaping, continuously and at high speed, of contacts on telephonic relay elements, notably blades, non-detached from a supply band, and utilizing balls adapted to be welded to elements of the band to form contacts. A container stores the balls and a distributor slide driven in alternating horizontal movement receives a plurality of balls fed from the container and feeds the balls to respective recesses formed in the upper horizontal surface of an electrode. The electrode is driven in an alternating horizontal movement between a first position for reception of the balls and a second position where it is placed under the relay band and a counter-electrode is driven vertically towards the band to effect welding of the contacts to the elements of the band.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying gold contacts to a metal member comprising an ultrasonic welding unit, a welding zone for receiving and superposing the foil element and metal member, a stripping plate disposed in the welding zone between the element and the member having an opening therein for superposing and welding the element and member. The gold foil element is welded to the metal member and the stripping plate separates the unwelded portion of the gold foil from the welded portion to leave the welded portion of the gold foil attached to the metal member.

Abstract: A system for electrically terminating two or more insulated or uninsulated wires comprising forming a terminal about the wires with a ram and die cavity such that the terminal and wire configuration cross sectional profile is elongated in one direction, withdrawing the ram and die and engaging the terminal with a pair of electrodes to fuse the same under pressure and heat such that the terminal and wire configuration cross sectional profile becomes elongated in a direction generally perpendicular to said first direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for forming elongate reinforcing elements having a pair of rods and transverse rungs welded perpendicularly between said rods, said rods being fed parallel to one another in stepwise fashion between the welding electrodes, and said rungs being inserted perpendicularly between said rods before welding.