End Or Edge To Surface Patents (Class 219/107)
  • Patent number: 11549644
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an internally finned pressure vessel includes a plurality of positioning discs, each of the positioning discs defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extending radially into the positioning disc from a perimeter thereof, and one or more rods extending through the plurality of positioning discs, the plurality of positioning discs being held in axial alignment by the one or more rods. A method of fabricating the internally finned pressure vessel includes providing the apparatus, loading a plurality of fins into the slots of the positioning discs, inserting the apparatus containing the plurality of fins into a pressure vessel, attaching the plurality of fins to the pressure vessel by a brazing process, and removing the apparatus from the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Seatrec, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Zedelmair, David Fratantoni, Yi Chao, Robin Willis
  • Patent number: 11459089
    Abstract: A propeller blade having a blade body including a blade base, a blade tip, a pressure side surface, and, a suction side surface. Each of the pressure side surface and the suction side surface extend between the blade base to the blade tip. An end plate is provided on the blade body. The end plate is exposed to an airflow and positioned at the blade base. The end plate projects outwardly of at least a portion of one of the pressure side surface and the suction side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Allen J. Bishop
  • Patent number: 11105427
    Abstract: A gate valve includes a first plate with a first opening; a second plate with a second opening positioned opposite the first plate such that the first opening is aligned with the second opening; a gate with a gate opening positioned between the first plate and second plate and movable from a close position where the gate blocks flow through the first opening and the second opening and an open position where the gate opening aligns with the first opening and the second opening to allow flow through the valve; and a wear ring lining the gate opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: IHC Holland IE B.V.
    Inventors: Niels Dentro, Dennis Boudestijn
  • Patent number: 11007599
    Abstract: A welding assembly including a current generator, a first electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the first electrode including a first engagement surface, a second electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the second electrode including a second engagement surface, a width-determining fixture positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode to define a welding volume having a width, and an electrically nonconductive material positioned to electrically insulate at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode from an electrical conductor outside the width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Innovative Weld Solutions L.L.C.
    Inventor: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan
  • Patent number: 10739162
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) is provided. The IED includes a metering sub-assembly and an input base module sub-assembly. The metering sub-assembly is hinged to the input base module sub-assembly, where when in an open position, various cables, connectors, and input/output cards/modules are accessible. Various input/output cards/modules are interchangeable to add/change functionality and/or communication capabilities to the IED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRO INDUSTRIES/Gauge Tech
    Inventors: Tibor Banhegyesi, Hai Zhu, Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 10633786
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an aerator for use with clothing such as socks, gloves, shoes, and/or boots. In a preferred embodiment the aerator is provided as a flat stock that can be wrapped or rolled to form a spherical aerator. The aerator forms a cylindrical base with projections emanating from the cylinder. These projections generally span the length of the cylinder. In a preferred embodiment the projections are generally triangular in shape. In a further preferred embodiment the cylinder and/or projections utilize openings to enhance air flow. The aerator can be utilized in conjunction with a forced air system or can be used for passive aeration. What is further disclosed is the method of using an aerator for drying an article of clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy D. Spencer
  • Patent number: 10591162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion chamber heat-shielding element of a gas-turbine, having a bolt for mounting the combustion chamber heat-shielding element on a combustion chamber wall or a combustion chamber head, where the combustion chamber heat-shielding element is designed substantially plate-like and where on one side at least one bolt, which is designed as a separate component, is anchored on it by means of a bonded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventor: Carsten Clemen
  • Patent number: 10584734
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing an adhesive screw connection between at least one upper component and at least one lower component using a flow drill screw, which penetrates the upper component at a joining point through a pre-drilled hole and is screwed together with the lower component, forming a flow-drilled hole. The pre-drilled hole in the upper component is covered by a secured cover which is first perforated by the flow drill screw before the latter penetrates into the pre-drilled hole and is then screwed together with the lower component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eugen Haak
  • Patent number: 10465415
    Abstract: A fence panel has pinched end connections. The ends of the rails are pinched such that they are flattened from their normal diameter, which are secured to the posts, for example, by welding. A center post may also be used, where its ends are pinched and secured to the middle of the rails. Likewise, additional rails may be utilized, each with pinched ends, and secured to the appropriate posts. The fence panels with pinched ends of particular members may be offset stacked on top of each other to create a nested stack of fence panels that is more stable and compact for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventor: Gary W. Ash
  • Patent number: 10376993
    Abstract: A manifold assembly for an automobile cooling system includes a crossover tube and a crossover tube cover welded in an opening of the crossover tube A flash trap is provided adjacent the region of the weld joint to receive and capture weld flash migrating inwardly in the crossover tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Took Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Davis, Tyler L. Terrell
  • Patent number: 10337595
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover and at least one impeller blade fixed to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade fixed to the turbine shell; a hub; a seal plate; and a weld fixedly connecting the hub and the seal plate. A line orthogonal to the axis of rotation passes through, in sequence, the hub, the weld, the seal plate, and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Drew Hilty, Justin Persinger
  • Patent number: 10274340
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) is provided. The IED includes a metering sub-assembly and an input base module sub-assembly. The metering sub-assembly is hinged to the input base module sub-assembly, where when in an open position, various cables, connectors, and input/output cards/modules are accessible. Various input/output cards/modules are interchangeable to add/change functionality and/or communication capabilities to the IED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventors: Tibor Banhegyesi, Hai Zhu, Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 10180072
    Abstract: A bladed disk for a gas turbine engine is provided. The bladed disk includes a rotor disk, a plurality of rotor blades, and an interlocking transition zone. The rotor disk includes a plurality of fused layers of a first material formed via additive manufacturing and defines an outer rim. The plurality of rotor blades includes a plurality of fused layers of a second material formed via additive manufacturing. The interlocking transition zone includes a plurality of projections alternately extending from the outer rim of the rotor disk and the plurality of rotor blades, respectively, to undetachably couple the rotor disk and the plurality of rotor blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Richard William Albrecht, Jr., Michael John McCarren, Peter Andrew Flynn, Michael Francis Xavier Gigliotti, Jr., Eric Alan Estill
  • Patent number: 10166422
    Abstract: A trampoline support frame comprises transversal and longitudinal branch pipes. The transversal ones are connected to form an annular frame. Each longitudinal one is provided with a fitting portion and two reinforcing portions integrally extended from the fitting portion to corresponding two side surfaces of the transversal one and then fixed to the transversal one by welding. The two reinforcing portions of each longitudinal one are extended from and integrally formed with the fitting portion, such that each transversal one is fixed to the two reinforcing portions by welding directly after the transversal one is placed between the two reinforcing portions without precision alignment, whereby the manufacturing process for the trampoline support frame is simplified, and manufacturing energy consumption is reduced to meet requirements for environment protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: CROWNTEC (JIANG XI) SPORTS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Hua-Lu Hsiang
  • Patent number: 9995316
    Abstract: A blower assembly having a housing and a cross flow fan rotatably mounted to the housing. Rotation of the fan drives fluid flow through the housing and produces an eccentric vortex of fluid flow in the housing. The fan has a circular blade support that induces fluid flow with rotation of the fan which interacts with the eccentric vortex. The circular blade support has at least one flow interrupter configured and arranged to rotate through the interaction of the eccentric vortex and the flow induced by the circular blade support to disrupt the interaction between the eccentric vortex and the flow induced by the circular blade support. In this manner, the at least one flow interrupter reduces the effect of the unstable vortex-blade support interaction on the airflow through the blower assembly which stabilizes the air loading on the blower assembly motor and reduces noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Revcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Hall, Nathan K. Shoemaker, Stephen A. Adamski
  • Patent number: 9845584
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for endwise connecting subterranean barrier members is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least two barrier members with each barrier member extending between top and bottom edges. Further, each barrier member has a side first edge having a flange defining a first connector and an opposed second side edge having a channel defining a second connector. The channel is sized and shaped to receive the flange of an adjacent barrier member in slidable interconnection therein. The apparatus further include a first side panel shaped to lie against a first side of the barrier members, a second side panel shaped to lie against a second side of the barrier members and a bridging plate located between the first and second panel members so as to bridge a gap therebetween, wherein the gap has a width corresponding to a width of the first and second barrier members. The associated method is directed toward creating the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Richard Christian Goldammer
  • Patent number: 9844830
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pot-shaped pressure vessel, in particular an air spring pot for a vehicle, comprises the following steps: providing a pot, which comprises a bottom, which comprises at least one aperture, providing at least one screw, which comprises a head and a shank, inserting the shank of the at least one screw through the aperture from an inside of the pot, so that the shank of the screw protrudes from an outside of the bottom, and firmly joining the screw to the bottom of the pot. In the transitional area from the head to the shank at least one screw comprises a connecting section tapering from the head to the shank and extending all round the circumference. In inserting the shank through the aperture the connecting section is brought to bear against the edge of the aperture, and the connecting section is joined to the edge of the aperture along its bearing contact with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: PROGRESS-WERK Oberkirch AG
    Inventors: Hubert Leible, Max Dinkelbach, Dirk Stahlberger, Horst Siefermann
  • Patent number: 9822648
    Abstract: A blower wheel for use in a blower assembly is disclosed, wherein the blower wheel includes a hub, a concentrically arranged outer ring, and an array of spaced apart blades arranged on an outer periphery of the hub and extending between the hub and the outer ring. The hub includes a wave configuration formed therein. The wave configuration includes an annular array of crests and an annular of troughs alternately formed in at least one of an outer surface and an inner surface of the hub. The hub may also include an annular array of support members formed on the inner surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jayanthi Iyer, Yafei Zhou
  • Patent number: 9789556
    Abstract: A method for assembling a set including an inner wall, a shrouded outer wall and an intermediate element, each presenting substantially circular sections, the shrouded outer wall presenting a shape substantially complementary to a shape of outer and inner surfaces of the intermediate element, and whose inner surface covers the outer surface of the intermediate element. In particular, the method includes a step of placing a brazing sheet, whose melting temperature is lower than melting temperatures of other elements of the set, over an assembly surface in contact with another assembly surface, and a step of heating, by a furnace, a set including the outer or inner walls and the intermediate element between which is interposed a brazing sheet so as to fix the outer or inner wall by brazing on the intermediate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Philippe Bienvenu, Helene Malot, Francisco Caneque
  • Patent number: 9649717
    Abstract: A welding assembly may include a current generator, a first electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the first electrode including a first engagement surface, a second electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the second electrode including a second engagement surface and a width-determining fixture positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode to define a welding volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Innovative Weld Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan
  • Patent number: 9447711
    Abstract: Forming of a valve head portion (1) of a hollow engine valve (V) comprising a material particularly satisfactory in heat resistance is performed by cold forging. The material with excellent heat resistance is worked to form a valve head portion semifinished product (11) having a hollow hole (S11) whose inner diameter (?11) is equal to the maximum inner diameter (?11) of a hollow hole (S1) of a finished product of the valve head portion (1), and having a diameter-increased section (111) whose maximum outer diameter (?12) is equal to the maximum outer diameter (?12) of a diameter-increased section (1a) of the finished product. Parts of the valve head portion semifinished product other than a central part to a lower part of the diameter-increased section (111) are necked down by cold forging performed a plurality of times to obtain the finished product of the valve head portion (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: FUJI HOLLOW VALVE INC., YOSHIMURA COMPANY
    Inventor: Hyoji Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9347481
    Abstract: A method of attaching a nut to a panel includes forming an aperture in a sheet metal panel by lancing a tab from the sheet metal panel. A root of the tab remains attached to the panel. The method further includes pressing a self-attaching nut into the aperture to attach the self-attaching nut to the sheet metal panel. The tab is bent to substantially prevent material from entering a bore of the nut from a blind side of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Whitesell International Corporation
    Inventors: Randy M. Hoffman, Patrick Bolick
  • Patent number: 9346117
    Abstract: An integrated member can comprise different members each formed of materials having different mechanical characteristics. A method for manufacturing such an integrated member can comprise an electric resistance welding step in which the first member is press-fit into the second member and the press-fit portion can be electrically energized to achieve the electric resistance welding so as to integrate the first member and the second member. The method can further comprise a carburized layer forming step in which carburizing-quenching and tempering, or carbonitriding-quenching and tempering, is performed on the integrated member obtained in the electric resistance welding step to form carburized layers therein in accordance with the mechanical characteristics of the first member and the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Hamamoto, Yasuyuki Doi
  • Patent number: 8770231
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pipe element with a trimmed edge for welding onto a carrier, wherein the trimmed edge is cut from a base tube so that the pipe element can be arranged on the surface of the carrier and welded to it along the trimmed edge, wherein the trimmed edge has a first cam with which the pipe element can be placed on the surface of the carrier. It is further provided that the trimmed edge has at least one second cam with which it can be placed on the surface of the pipe element, so that an air gap remains between the surface of the carrier and the trimmed edge in a region lying between the first cam and the second cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH
    Inventors: Heimo Dolzer, Ephraim Arzt
  • Patent number: 8415582
    Abstract: A method of monitoring and maintaining a weld cap which is executing successive resistance welds on a plurality of workpieces includes measuring a first weld indentation formed during a first resistance weld and measuring a second weld indentation formed during a second resistance weld. The measured first and second weld indentations are compared with a severe threshold. If either of the measured first or second weld indentations is greater than the severe threshold, an abnormal condition is signaled. The method may include tip dressing the weld cap based upon the signaled abnormal condition. The method may further include determining a degradation rate between the first resistance weld and the second resistance weld. The degradation rate is the time differential between the measured first and second weld indentations, and either a first or a second tip dressing schedule is chosen based upon the determined degradation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Daniel C. Hutchinson, Michael J. Karagoulis, Sheila A. Marin
  • Publication number: 20100059488
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: NKT FLEXIBLES I/S
    Inventor: Steen Inselmann
  • Publication number: 20080251501
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Heiko Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7385156
    Abstract: A forced-insertion welded structure is provided which is formed by welding members making up a metal component and which is easy to manufacture and has low cost, a good finish precision and a high bonding strength. The forced-insertion welded structure comprises: a first member 2 with a hole 13 which has the same geometry as a cross section of a forcibly inserted portion of a second member; and the second member 4 having a constant cross section over its length which is similar in shape to the hole 13; wherein a press-fit interference of the second member 4 relative to the hole 13 of the first member 2 is set to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignees: Ohashi Technica, Inc., TK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Nozue, Osamu Kimpara, Masayuki Mizutani, Takuya Saito, Kazuyoshi Harada
  • Patent number: 7019251
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing lamella packets (e.g. 70) such as those used for adjustable steering columns in automobiles. According to the invention, at least one of the lamellae (e.g. 71) is provided with a collar (71.1) and is joined to another lamella (e.g. 72) so that the collar (71.1) of the first lamella (71) is supported against the other lamella (72) whereby defining the width (B) of a space between the lamellae (71, 72). Both lamellae (71, 72) are welded at at least one location of the collar (71.1). The welding is preferably carried out by resistance welding. In order to obtain defined ratios, the edge of the lamella collar (71.1) is preferably provided with projecting points (Z). The method is, among other things, advantageous in that the same material quality can be used for all lamellae (1–74).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Adval Tech Holding AG
    Inventor: Hans Jöhr
  • Publication number: 20030121892
    Abstract: A high frequency oscillator has a substrate, a resonator circuit which is disposed on one principal surface of the substrate and consists of a closed loop-shaped slot line including an inner conductor and an outer conductor, an electric boundary point set on the slot line, a two-port negative resistance element for connecting between the inner conductor and outer conductor, and an output line electrically connected to the slot line. The electric boundary point is set by connecting, for example, a stub to the resonator circuit. The stub functions as an electrically short-circuited end or an electrically open end. A Gunn diode is preferably used for the negative resistance element, and inserted at a position of the slot line resonator circuit at which impedance matching is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Masayoshi Aikawa, Takayuki Tanaka, Fumio Asamura, Takeo Oita
  • Patent number: 6552294
    Abstract: A first method for metallurgically attaching together two members. A first member is obtained having a through hole and having a longitudinally-projecting flange surrounding the through hole. A second member is obtained having a transversely-projecting annular rim. The second member is at least partially positioned in the through hole of the first member with the flange of the first member projecting away from the rim. The first and second members are resistance welded together, wherein after the weld is created, the rim of the second member is seated on the first member. In an other method, which is similar to the first method, the second member has no rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ventakatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Desra N. Herbst, Kevin J. Szeszulski
  • Publication number: 20030062343
    Abstract: A first method for metallurgically attaching together two members. A first member is obtained having a through hole and having a longitudinally-projecting flange surrounding the through hole. A second member is obtained having a transversely-projecting annular rim. The second member is at least partially positioned in the through hole of the first member with the flange of the first member projecting away from the rim. The first and second members are resistance welded together, wherein after the weld is created, the rim of the second member is seated on the first member. In an other method, which is similar to the first method, the second member has no rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Desra N. Herbst, Kevin J. Szeszulski
  • Patent number: 6407357
    Abstract: A method for resistance projecting welding the components of a current sensor is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a first blade having a projection extending outward and a first conductor, supporting the first blade and the first conductor, positioning the first blade adjacent to the first conductor so that the projection of the first blade contacts an opposed surface on the first conductor defining a contact area, supplying an electrical current of a predetermined magnitude and predetermined duration to the first blade and the first conductor to create a weld at the contact area and continually applying a compressing force of a predetermined magnitude to the first blade throughout the supplying step to resistance projection weld the first blade and the first conductor at the contact area. The present method overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an alternative method to fabricate current sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph P. Bellino, Robert R. Leclair
  • Patent number: 6396023
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for hermetically sealing a semiconductor laser element, by which the cleanness of a package can be maintained extremely satisfactorily in a stabilized state, in order to prevent organic substances from being adhered to the end faces of high output semiconductor laser elements due to photochemical actions. The method comprises the first step of introducing oxygen into a chamber of a hermetical-sealing apparatus and irradiating ultraviolet rays onto an unsealed package having a semiconductor laser element mounted, in the chamber, and the second step of purging the chamber with an inert gas and hermetically sealing an unsealed package in the inert gas atmosphere without being exposed to the outer atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Aikiyo
  • Patent number: 6294751
    Abstract: A method of electrically welding a part such as a bolt around a bore of a composite sheet comprising an intermediate layer of a substantially insulating material disposed between two metal layers. Said sheet is pre-heated in the vicinity of said bore in order to remove said substantially insulating material therefrom, after which said part is welded onto said sheet by a conventional resistance spot welding method. Preferably, said pre-heating operation is conducted by passing an electric current between a counter-electrode applied to the sheet from the same side as said part to be welded, in the vicinity of said bore, and an electrode applied on said part to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: ARO
    Inventor: Patrick Le Gall
  • Patent number: 6175097
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventors: Srimathy Raghavan, Raghavan Krishnaswamy
  • Patent number: 5896960
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a suspension damper with a welded rod fitting includes attaching a piston rod to a piston assembly. The piston assembly with the attached piston rod is inserted into a tube so that the piston rod extends from the tube. Hydraulic fluid is added to the tube either before or after the piston assembly is inserted. A rod guide assembly is slidingly received over the piston rod and is secured to the tube. An end fitting is secured in a weld fixture. The tube, containing hydraulic fluid, the piston assembly, the secured rod guide and the extending piston rod is positioned so that the piston rod abuts the end fitting. An electrical current is passed through the end fitting and the piston rod. The piston rod is moved away from the end fitting forming a gap as the electrical current is passing through the end fitting and the piston rod so that an arc is established across the gap to weld the end fitting to the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan
  • Patent number: 5819384
    Abstract: A plant for producing metal heat exchanger tubes with spiral heat exchanger ribs secured to the exterior surface from smooth tubes and strip-form flat material for the ribs. In order to allow ribbed tubes to be economically produced at any desired location, the main plant units needed to produce the ribbed tubes, such as a rotating device, strip conveyor and joining device, are installed in one or more mobile container-type modules in production order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fritz Bruhl, Hendrik Rombaut
  • Patent number: 5401933
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for welding an end plug to an open end of a surface-coated tube in order to provide a control rod. First, the end plug is brought into pressed abutment with the open end of the surface-coated tube. Then, resistance welding is performed in order to join the end plug with the open end of the surface-coated tube by applying electric current between the surface-coated tube and the end plug to heat the same while keeping the end plug pressed in abutment with the open end of the surface-coated tube. With these procedures, even when a surface-coated tube having a hard coating formed over its entire length is employed, the coating material is prevented from dissolving into the welded portion and therefore ensures an excellent welding quality, and the resulting control rod exhibits excellent characteristics over its entire length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel Co.
    Inventor: Eiji Yoneda
  • Patent number: 5276304
    Abstract: The present invention has as its subject a device for guiding and for transfer of at least two sheet metal blanks to be welded edge to edge.The device comprises, on the one hand, for each sheet metal blank, means (14a, 15a) for supporting the sheet metal blank along a horizontal reference plane and movable horizontally in the direction of a laser beam and means (14c, 15c) for vertical pressing of the sheet metal blank onto the support means and movable horizontally in synchronisation with the said support means for the movement by adherence of the sheet metal blanks and, on the other hand, means for maintaining in reference along a vertical plane the edge to be welded of one of the sheet metal blanks in the axis of the laser beam and means for placing under lateral pressure the edges to be welded of the two sheet metal blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Sollac
    Inventors: Francis Sauvage, Gilles Peru, Yvon Le Roy, Charles Sion
  • Patent number: 5228195
    Abstract: A rotary machine which includes a stator assembly 36 having a seal assembly 38 is disclosed. Various structural, details are developed which improve the structural integrity of the seal assembly during fabrication. In one detailed embodiment, the seal assembly includes a substrate 42 having angled surfaces 44, 46 facing a flowpath 24 for working medium gases which intersect at an obtuse angle region I and an axially continuous metal structure 48 which is attached to both surfaces and extends across the obtuse angle region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Allen W. Brown, Raymond A. Wolf
  • Patent number: 5147483
    Abstract: An improved infusion device is of the type which can be implanted for drug delivery within a patient's body, and supplied with infusate without the need for surgical removal. The infusion device has a housing forming a chamber and an entry port into the chamber. The entry port is closed by a septum. The septum has a convex top section extending from the housing, and a frusto-conical section which matingly engages a similarly shaped interior surface of the housing. The interior surface can be provided with a plurality of notches with which the septum engages by material flexure. This arrangement improves retention of the septum and operation of the infusion device, and permits advances in the method by which such devices are manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Therex Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald S. Melsky, Frank R. Prosl
  • Patent number: 4991765
    Abstract: A push rod is manufactured by projection-welding a bottom surface of an end element to a tapered annular end surface of a pipe. To prevent some inclination from arising between the bottom surface of the end element and the annular end surface of the pipe when they are tightly pressed against each other, the bottom surface is formed integrally with a plurality of rose seats of wedge shape in cross section that extend radially with respect to the axial center of the end element. Projection-welding is performed after the rose seats are brought into confronting contact with the tapered annular end surface of substantially triangular shape in cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha/Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 4924056
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method of using it to straighten a dent in a sheet metal workpiece are provided. The apparatus includes a stud welding gun to releasably grip a stud and weld it to the dent, as well as integral hammer means to apply force to the welded stud, straightening the dent. The apparatus and the method of use then provide means for dewelding the stud from the straightened workpiece, thereby avoiding the usual stud cutting and grinding operations. Exchangeable electrodes are provided so that the apparatus can be used for both stud welding and spot welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: Richard M. Bevilacqua
  • Patent number: 4835358
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for soldering a platelike body inside hollow elements involves placing the platelike body and a hollow element on respective supports. The platelike body is drawn out or move to become positioned for electrical connecting to a first electrode of a soldering machine. This machine has at least a first and second electrode through which a voltage is applied to solder the platelike body to the hollow element using the Joule effect. A series of at least four phases will be carried out by the apparatus during the process. Protrusions are provided within the hollow element to concentrate current flowing therethrough and to aid connection of the element to the platelike body. Various check elements can be provided to determine the adequacy of the connection to the platelike body to the hollow element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Italtel Tecnomeccanica S.P.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Cecchellero, Daniele Salvatore
  • Patent number: 4676427
    Abstract: A method of making an assembly including a metal tube and a surrounding flange member comprises providing an abutment shoulder at the open end of the tube, passing a spacer sleeve along the tube into engagement with the shoulder, placing the flange member in engagement with a flange of the sleeve and welding one end of the spacer sleeve to the shoulder and the other end thereof to the flange. It is alternatively possible for the flange and sleeve to be integrally formed, in which case only welding to the shoulder is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: William J. P. Constance
  • Patent number: 4544823
    Abstract: To obtain acceptable arc percussion welding of tin plated copper pins to thin brass strip members, the tin must be prevented from becoming trapped in the weld zone and gaseous and other forms of material also being trapped. By giving the end of a pin a smooth, hemispherical profile, the plasma arc is initiated at the center of the pin end and progressively moves radially outwards. This melts the tin plate layer and the tin is caused to flow radially outwards from the weld zone. The copper of the pin and brass of the strip then melt slightly and on impact welding is achieved. The outward flow of tin also assists in causing other undesirable elements being removed from the weld zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: George Tihanyi
  • Patent number: 4506135
    Abstract: For the manufacture of heat exchanger tubes having a metal strip (tangential surface) welded to the surface of the tube, the metal strip is fastened to the surface of the tube by through-welding with welding current of alternating value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: kabelmetal electro Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Gerhard Ziemek, Friedrich Schatz, Dieter Muller, Douglas W. Rowell
  • Patent number: 4421969
    Abstract: In the method of welding open web steel joists a chord member is formed by bending a web in an undulating configuration. The chord is welded to the webs by simultaneously clamping and resistance welding to form four welds. The weld current is applied by a series of time controlled intermittent impulses of electrical current. The weld electrodes used are of unequal resistance so as to balance the heat generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Joseph M. Tanenbaum
  • Patent number: 4409459
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Tokico, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuzi Nakayama