Systems Of Current Supply Patents (Class 219/108)
  • Patent number: 11904402
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a welding machine adapted for performing a spot welding process on a workpiece, wherein the welding machine is specifically adapted for automatically applying pre-conditioning a welding pulse portion to the workpiece prior to performing the spot welding process. The present disclosure also relates to a corresponding method and computer program product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Car-O-Liner Group AB
    Inventors: Anders Bergström, Tony Hedlund
  • Patent number: 11850674
    Abstract: Provided is a spot welding method by which welding can be performed successfully while inhibiting occurrence of expulsion. First to third metal plates W1 to W3 were welded in which a ratio of a total thickness to a thickness of the first metal plate W1 is 7. In Example 1, a peak current value A1 is 14.6 kA, an effective current value A2 is 7.8 kA, a peak duration T1 is 0.1 ms, and a no-peak duration T2 is 5.9 ms. As a result, a lower limit current value A3 is 6.9 kA, an upper limit current value A4 is 8.42 kA, a difference A5 between A4 and A3 is 1.52 kA, T2/T1 is 59.0, A2/A1 is 0.53, and rising time T3/falling time T4 is 0.53, furthermore, no expulsion occurs, and a welding result was determined to be OK.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Watanabe, Hitoshi Saito, Xihao Tan, Shinyu Hirayama
  • Patent number: 11724329
    Abstract: An arc welding control method for controlling welding in which a material of a welding wire is aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and a feed speed Fw of the welding wire is alternately switched between a forward feed period and a reverse feed period to repeat a short circuit period and an arc period, a welding current Iw is controlled so that an average value of maximum values of the welding current Iw during the short circuit period is 150 A or less. A reverse feed peak value Wrp during the reverse feed period is set so that an average value of time lengths of the short circuit period is 7 ms or less. Accordingly, the current value can be reduced when the short circuit is released and the lengthening in the short circuit period can be prevented, so that the spatter generation amount can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: DAIHEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Ono, Toshiaki Nakamata
  • Patent number: 11127451
    Abstract: A memory system includes a voltage generator disposed in a high temperature region, and suitable for generating a first voltage; a memory disposed in a low temperature region, and suitable for using a second voltage; and a voltage converter disposed between the high temperature region and the low temperature region, suitable for converting the first voltage into the second voltage, and including a core made from a material having lower heat conductivity than a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Se-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 10730134
    Abstract: The spot welding method of the present invention has steps of preliminary conduction, first conduction, second conduction, and third conduction: Preliminary conduction: Conduction method aimed at improving closeness of contact surfaces of steel sheets and reducing sheet gaps by gradually increasing the welding current (for example, upslope conduction). If rapidly applying current, current would be locally carried and that part would melt resulting in expulsion, so this is a conduction method gradually running current (for example upslope conduction) to avoid local heating. First conduction: Conduction method running a constant welding current and using the heat generated by the electrical contact resistance between steel sheets to cause the formation of a nugget when preliminary conduction results in close contact surfaces between the steel sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Furusako, Yasunobu Miyazaki, Hitomi Nishibata, Yasuo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10688584
    Abstract: A portable welding arrangement includes a welding apparatus having a storage battery, a power source, a welding control means and a connection for a welding torch. The operating mode of the welding apparatus can be changed between a standby mode and a welding mode. The portable welding arrangement includes a charging apparatus that can be connected to a power supply network and to the welding apparatus and has a charge controller for charging the storage battery. In a method for operating such a portable welding arrangement, for optimum charging of the battery, the charge controller of the charging apparatus is designed to control the charge of the accumulator of the welding apparatus in accordance with the operating mode of the welding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Starzengruber, Alexander Speigner, Juergen Binder
  • Patent number: 10464161
    Abstract: A power supply unit for a resistance welding apparatus, said power supply unit comprising a converter circuit adapted to convert an alternating power supply current, AC, applied via a residual current protection circuit to an input of said converter circuit into a pulsed electrical current supplied from an output of said converter circuit to a primary coil of a transformer of said resistance welding apparatus, and at least one switching element provided between the output of said converter circuit and protective earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: FRONIUS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Itzenberger, Martin Hoertenhuber
  • Patent number: 10459017
    Abstract: An example method includes causing an actuator to apply a compressive force to an object. The compressive force pushes a first electrode against a first end of the object and causes a second end of the object to push against a second electrode. The method further includes detecting an initial magnitude of the compressive force. The method further includes, in response to determining that the initial magnitude of the compressive force is outside of a predetermined range of magnitude, causing the actuator to adjust the compressive force applied to the object. The method further includes detecting a magnitude of the adjusted compressive force. The method further includes, in response to determining that the magnitude of the adjusted compressive force is within the predetermined range of magnitude, detecting a conductance of the object via the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Derek Tuck, Thaddeus Wells
  • Patent number: 10396505
    Abstract: A filter connector includes an insulative housing including a docking head and a base member, and an electrical module including a circuit board defining a first lateral side and a second lateral side, a plurality of input terminals mounted in the docking head and bonded to the first lateral side of the circuit board and a plurality of output terminals mounted in the base member and bonded to the second lateral side of the circuit board. Thus, the circuit board is vertically secured between the input terminals, ensuring that the filter connector is small in size, simple in structure, and easy to manufacture, and has a filtering function, thereby greatly improving the electric perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignees: U.D.ELECTRONIC CORP., U.D.(DONGGUAN) ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CORP., U.D.(ZHONG JIANG) ELECTRONIC CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Kai Chang, Bin Zeng, Yao-Ching Huang
  • Patent number: 10220466
    Abstract: Shifts of a reference point C in a robot coordinate system among three postures of a seam welding apparatus 10 are found, and calibration data is obtained (STEP 1). Correction data is found from the calibration data based on deformation of elastic units 22a due to weight of the seam welding apparatus 10 in accordance with the posture of the seam welding apparatus 10 relative to a robot 20 (STEP 5). Teaching data is corrected based on the correction data (STEP 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yamaashi, Yasuhiro Kawai, Mitsugu Kaneko, Haruhiko Kobayashi, Noriko Kurimoto
  • Patent number: 10201869
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are engine drive welding and/or cutting systems which optimize the utilization of engine drive systems, including hybrid engine drive systems. Embodiments include modular systems which allow for the remote utilization of a battery powered module which can be separated from an engine drive generator power supply. Other embodiments include engine drive power supplies that can communicate with a load coupled to the power supply, such as welders, cutters and wire feeders to determine an optimum operational level. Further embodiments include engine drive power supplies that can be coupled together to optimize fuel and system usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Enyedy, Adam M. Hruska
  • Patent number: 10189112
    Abstract: A welding equipment for metallic materials capable of performing heat treatment such as tempering based on partial heating in spot welding is provided. The welding equipment sandwiches metallic materials with a pair of electrodes, and heats different regions of the metallic materials by energization, with the pair of electrodes maintained at the same position with respect to the metallic materials. The welding equipment includes a first heating means connected to the pair of electrodes for heating and welding the internal region of the circle defined by projecting the cross-sectional area of the axis of the electrodes on the metallic materials by applying power having a low first frequency, a second heating means for heating a ring-shaped region along the circle by applying power having a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency, and an energization control unit for independently controlling the first and the second heating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: NETUREN CO., LTD., NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Takahiko Kanai, Munehisa Hatta, Fumiaki Ikuta, Kazuhiro Kawasaki, Eizaburo Nakanishi, Tsuyoshi Yoshida, Kotobu Nagai, Masao Hayakawa, Takehiko Itagaki
  • Patent number: 9993899
    Abstract: A vehicle body manufacturing apparatus includes: a jig that holds one work of the vehicle body, positions the one work to the another work, and joins the works together at a joint section; a welding gun that welds a weld portion in the joint section by an electrode that is moved along a pressure axis and pressed against the weld portion; and a welding position fixing member that regulates the pressure axis, along which the electrode is moved, within a setting area, the welding position fixing member being movable in a coaxial direction to the pressure axis along which the electrode is moved, being contactable with the joint section to interpose the joint section between the jig and the welding position fixing member, and having a controllable pressure at a time of welding the weld portion by the electrode, which is moved at the time of welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9950383
    Abstract: In a welding system, a preheating process is carried out prior to initiation of a welding arc, such as upon depression of a trigger or switch on a welding torch. The preheating process involves generation and application of desired currents and voltages to a welding electrode from a power supply. Preheating is continued until the welding electrode reaches a desired temperature or resistance, which may be determined by reference to an increasing voltage, a decreasing current, a peaked and declining voltage, resistance and/or power measurements, and so forth. Following preheating, a desired welding process may begin with initiation of the welding arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 9851704
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring an interface of a welding power source (31, 41, 51, 61, 81, 91), said interface comprising at least one external connection (201 . . . 206). Defined graphic symbols of a software are used for configuration, the edges of said graphic symbols having bulges and/or indentations which interlockingly engage with corresponding bulges and/or indentations of a second graphic symbol. The configuration process comprises the allocation of a parameter of the welding device to an internal and/or external connection (101 . . . 105) and optionally establishing a logic link by stringing the graphic symbols together. The invention further relates to a welding power source (31, 41, 51, 61, 81, 91) and to a computer program which are set up for performing or storing the process according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: FRONIUS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Spisic, Thomas Eisenkolb, Patrick Kliemstein
  • Patent number: 9604405
    Abstract: A pipe fusion data management system, including: a data receiving interface for receiving data directly or indirectly from at least one remote source, the data including at least one data field representing at least one of the following: fusion data, pipe data, parameter data, operation data, configuration data, condition data, measurement data, entity data, user data, or any combination thereof; an input for facilitating user input; a storage device for storing received and/or input data; and a processor for generating a visual user interface to display received, input, stored, and/or processed data relating to the fusion, joining and/or installation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Underground Solutions Technologies Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David Silvernail, Eric C. Davis, Patrick Smith, Bruce Schurter, James Ledger
  • Patent number: 9545681
    Abstract: An automatic wire connecting device includes a heating electrode that heats an electrode wire by applying a current to the electrode wire, a tension applying unit that applies a tension to the electrode wire to which the current is applied by the heating electrode, a tension control unit that controls the tension applied by the tension applying unit, and a power supply control unit that applies a heating current smaller than a preset annealing current to the electrode wire until a first set time elapses since the current starts to be applied and increases the current applied to the electrode wire to reach the annealing current during a second set time after the first set time elapses since the current starts to be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Zhengyong Liu, Rintaro Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 9079266
    Abstract: A welding equipment for metallic materials capable of performing heat treatment such as tempering based on partial heating in spot welding is provided. The welding equipment 1 sandwiches metallic materials 9 with a pair of electrodes 4, 4, and heats different regions of the metallic materials 9 by energization, with the pair of electrodes 4, 4 maintained at the same position with respect to the metallic materials 9. The welding equipment includes a first heating means 6 connected to the pair of electrodes 4, 4 for heating and welding the internal region of the circle defined by projecting the cross-sectional area of the axis of the electrodes on the metallic materials by applying power having a low first frequency, a second heating means 8 for heating a ring-shaped region along the circle by applying power having a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency, and an energization control unit 10 for independently controlling the first and the second heating means 6, 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: NETUREN CO., LTD., NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Takahiko Kanai, Munehisa Hatta, Fumiaki Ikuta, Kazuhiro Kawasaki, Eizaburo Nakanishi, Tsuyoshi Yoshida, Kotobu Nagai, Masao Hayakawa, Takehiko Itagaki
  • Publication number: 20150076122
    Abstract: A welding system includes a first field bus. The welding system further includes a first welding converter, wherein the first welding converter is operatively connected to the first field bus via a first interface. The welding system further includes at least one further component, wherein the at least one further component is operatively connected to the first field bus. The first welding converter is configured to transmit an actuation data to the at least one further component using the first field bus to actuate the at least one further component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Werner Meister
  • Patent number: 8969751
    Abstract: A method of detecting dust includes: a first step of monitoring a resistance value welding and determining if a variation amount of the resistance value per unit time is equal to or more than a first threshold; a second step of monitoring the resistance value after the first step and determining if a variation amount of this resistance value per unit time is equal to or less than a second threshold; a third step of determining if a difference value between a resistance value for calculating the variation amount equal to or more than the first threshold and a resistance value for calculating the variation amount determined equal to or less than the second threshold is equal to or more than a third threshold; and a fourth step of determining that dust is generated when the difference value is equal to or more than the third threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamitsu Numano, Junya Tanabe, Tetsuro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8957344
    Abstract: Various welding systems that provide communication over auxiliary or weld power lines are provided. The disclosed embodiments may include a multi-process welding power supply that is communicatively coupled to a pendant via an auxiliary conduit that facilitates the exchange of data and power between components of the welding system. In some embodiments, the pendant may also include auxiliary outlets that allow an operator to power auxiliary devices at the weld location. The disclosed embodiments further include a pendant with a wire spool and wire feeder drive circuitry that is configured to activate spooling during MIG welding. Embodiments are provided that also allow for bidirectional data communication over a power line in networked welding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James Francis Rappl, Brian Lee Ott, Andrew David Nelson, Jeremy Daniel Overesch, Anthony Van Bergen Salsich, Quinn William Schartner, Kenneth Austin Stanzel
  • Patent number: 8835795
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a schedule for impulse welding including generating a weld lobe using a preexisting welding schedule, the schedule prescribing a current, a weld time, and a pressure; identifying an operating window on the weld lobe; analyzing the operating window, the analysis including determining a maximum time range of the operating window, and determining a maximum current range of the operating window; until (i) the determined maximum time range of the operating window is greater than a predetermined percentage of the prescribed weld time of the schedule and (ii) the determined maximum current range is greater than the prescribed current of the schedule, creating additional weld lobes by varying the pressure and repeating the identifying an operating window and the analyzing the operating window steps; and selecting, within the operating window satisfying conditions (i) and (ii), a second schedule including a second weld time, a second current, and a second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Petru Sorin Buse, Ryan Robert Westbrook, Larry Henan Chen
  • Publication number: 20140251961
    Abstract: A programmable polarity module that permits rapid on-demand control of the polarities assigned to the welding electrodes retained on a welding gun is disclosed. The programmable polarity module is electrically connectable to the welding gun and a direct current power supply unit to provide direct current to the welding electrodes for exchange during spot welding. A first interchangeable polarity output lug and a second interchangeable polarity output lug of the programmable polarity module permit the polarities of the welding electrodes to be switched without having to electrically disconnect the module from the welding gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Karagoulis, David R. Sigler
  • Publication number: 20140183168
    Abstract: A welding process for the welding of aluminium includes a force sensor measuring a force between two welding electrodes on aluminum elements to be welded and transmitting its measured values to a welding control. Until the elapse of a set welding time, the welding control calculates and stores at least one absolute value and/or at least one increase in the measured force. The welding control compares the measured absolute value and/or the increase in the measured force with a reference value and/or a reference curve and calculates a control deviation from the comparison. After the elapse of the set welding time, the welding control subjects the welding electrodes to a constant current during a welding time extension that follows the set welding time, dependent on a magnitude of the control deviation that is measured at the point in time of the elapse and/or during the set welding time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Arndt, Juergen Haeufgloeckner, Michael Ripper
  • Patent number: 8766132
    Abstract: A method of identifying and selecting welding electrodes and welding output parameters on a welding power source is provided. The method includes identifying electrodes and/or electrode packaging with distinct colors and/or patterns which correspond to properties of the electrode. The method also may include employing distinguishable identifying markings on a power supply which correspond to the electrodes to be used to allow for easy setting of output parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: George Blankenship, Rob Micco, Arthur B Papineau
  • Publication number: 20140169914
    Abstract: In the field of manufacturing container bodies by means of resistance seam welding machines, at least a disturbance variable is collected, particularly errors in cutting the metal sheet. Because of this collection of disturbance variables, at least a control variable is automatically changed in order to compensate or to diminish the influence of the disturbance variable on the welding seam quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Willi Mueller, Daniel Dietrich
  • Publication number: 20140158668
    Abstract: A one-side resistance spot welding method includes a preheating step followed by a welding step. In the preheating step, an electric current having a smaller current value than a welding current is fed from a first electrode to second electrodes such that a substantially annular high-temperature region coaxial with the first electrode and having a higher temperature than neighboring parts is created in a workpiece due to resistance heat generation at a position located near a tip end of the first electrode. In the welding step, the annular high-temperature region forms a shielded current path due to its high electric resistance and serves to guide a welding current from the first electrode to flow into a bottom steel sheet of the workpiece via the shielded current path, thereby allowing the welding current to subsequently advance along the bottom steel sheet and reach the second electrodes via a top steel sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eisaku Hasegawa, Sumitomo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8710394
    Abstract: A method of controlling an indentation depth of an electrode into a metal substrate during formation of a weld includes selecting a weld force, current, duration, minimum indentation depth, and maximum indentation depth, contacting the substrate with the electrode to apply the force to the substrate, supplying the current to the electrode to initiate formation of the weld according to a first condition in which the depth is less than the minimum, a second condition in which the depth is greater than or equal to the minimum and less than or equal to the maximum, and a third condition in which the depth is greater than the maximum, and comparing the depth, minimum, and maximum. For the first condition, duration is changed. For the second condition, each of the force, current, and duration is maintained until the weld is substantially formed. For the third condition, current ceases to be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Daniel C. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 8698035
    Abstract: The system provides both a portable and appliance welding system. It can be use in the shop and field. In either location it can be plugged in or battery driven. When plugged in it can weld while charging simultaneously offering 100% duty cycle for heavy shop use, and a full range of metal thicknesses can be welded with ease. The system is implemented with a solid state high energy circuit; unrestricted and unfiltered, offering a wide spectrum of pure analog power. The systems is compact for maximum portability and use in remote field operations, yet can handle deep welds in a variety of metal compositions, conditions, environments, and sizes. The system uses a proven and robust storage medium of direct electric potential energy that is supplied by industrial batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: C. Tyson Fisk
  • Publication number: 20130334178
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a system that uses an active filter connected to phases of a three-phase power grid in parallel with a resistance welding apparatus in order to bring an input current of a welding converter closer to a sinusoidal shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Reinhard Scholz, Alfred Punzet
  • Patent number: 8563891
    Abstract: A welding assembly including a current generator, an electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the electrode including a first engagement surface, and a workpiece including at least two members, wherein at least one of the members includes a second engagement surface, defines a recess in the second engagement surface, and is electrically coupled to the current generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Innovative Weld Solutions Ltd.
    Inventor: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan
  • Patent number: 8558139
    Abstract: A hybrid welding device including a fuel cell and an energy storage device that cooperate to power a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation are provided. In some embodiments, the hybrid welding device may also include an engine coupled to a generator that is configured to supplement the power provided by the fuel cell and/or the energy storage device. The hybrid welding device may be adapted to provide power for a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation when operated as a standalone unit and/or when connected to a primary source of utility power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Patrick Albrecht
  • Patent number: 8507830
    Abstract: A hybrid welding device including a fuel cell and an energy storage device that cooperate to power a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation are provided. In some embodiments, the hybrid welding device may also include an engine coupled to a generator that is configured to supplement the power provided by the fuel cell and/or the energy storage device. The hybrid welding device may be adapted to provide power for a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation when operated as a standalone unit and/or when connected to a primary source of utility power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Patrick Albrecht
  • Patent number: 8455784
    Abstract: A method of welding two or more workpieces employing a motion-controlled electrode that reduces temperature and residual stresses at a workpiece-to-electrode interface is disclosed. During a first period of time, a first electrode force is applied to the workpieces to be welded, and a weld current is applied that causes heating of an associated workpiece-to-workpiece faying surface, the first electrode force being applied at a first electrode stroke. A temperature of the faying surface indicative of a weld nugget formation thereat is determined, and in response thereto the electrode force is reduced to a second level during a second period of time while maintaining a constant electrode stroke. During a third period of time, the electrode force is further reduced to a third level while simultaneously reducing the electrode stroke to a second level. Welding is stopped after the third period of time, resulting in a weld joint having reduced residual stresses and reduced likelihood of stress crack formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, John D. Fickes, Xiaohong Q. Gayden, Wuhua Yang
  • Patent number: 8450634
    Abstract: A resistance welding apparatus is provided with: a pair of electrode chips; a power supply device for supplying the electrode chips a welding current; and a spattering detecting device that detects a spattering. The power supply device supplies to the electrode chips a preset welding current until the spattering is detected. The power supply device supplies a current on which an additional current is added to the preset welding current, after the spattering is detected, until a preset energizing time expires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamitsu Numano, Yuya Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8415588
    Abstract: A hybrid welding device including a fuel cell and an energy storage device that cooperate to power a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation are provided. In some embodiments, the hybrid welding device may also include an engine coupled to a generator that is configured to supplement the power provided by the fuel cell and/or the energy storage device. The hybrid welding device may be adapted to provide power for a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation when operated as a standalone unit and/or when connected to a primary source of utility power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Patrick Albrecht
  • Patent number: 8405001
    Abstract: A hybrid welding device including a fuel cell and an energy storage device that cooperate to power a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation are provided. In some embodiments, the hybrid welding device may also include an engine coupled to a generator that is configured to supplement the power provided by the fuel cell and/or the energy storage device. The hybrid welding device may be adapted to provide power for a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation when operated as a standalone unit and/or when connected to a primary source of utility power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: Bruce Patrick Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20130062339
    Abstract: A tool to supply heat to a PEX pipe to permit the PEX pipe to be removed from a fitting connection includes a thermal element that can supply heat to the PEX pipe. The thermal element may be heated via electrical processes, such as resistive or inductive heating, or may be heated with a combustion process. The thermal element may be implemented in a pliers to permit the heating element to be placed around the PEX pipe and clamped, to allow the user to pull the PEX pipe off the fitting connection using the pliers. The tool may have a temperature control to regulate an amount of heat provided to the PEX pipe during removal, which control may include a feedback transducer, such as a thermocouple. The tool may be operated with AC or DC power, where the DC power may be provided by one or more batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Carmen T. DeRosa
  • Patent number: 8383978
    Abstract: This invention provides a steel pipe material weld zone heating method and apparatus for melting and welding the weld zone of a steel pipe material that during continuous induction heating and welding of moving steel pipe material as the material being heated controls temperature distribution and molten steel shape and weld frequency fluctuation with high accuracy and high efficiency, irrespective of the shape of the heated region of material being heated or the material properties of the material being heated, which comprises a first imaging device, a weld zone temperature distribution computation device, a heating control device, and a variable frequency alternating current power supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Fukutani, Kenji Umetsu, Yoshiaki Nakamura, Kazuto Yamamoto, Takashi Miyakawa, Ryuichi Shimada, Tadayuki Kitahara, Takanori Isobe
  • Publication number: 20130020288
    Abstract: A system and method of welding a workpiece. A predetermined current may be applied through electrodes that engage the workpiece. A resistance profile may be generated based on the predetermined current. A weld profile may be selected based on the resistance profile. The weld profile may then be executed to weld the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William C. Moision, Elizabeth Therese Hetrick
  • Patent number: 8357871
    Abstract: A welding assembly including a current generator, an electrode electrically coupled to the current generator, the electrode including a first engagement surface, and a workpiece including at least two members, wherein at least one of the members includes a second engagement surface, defines a recess in the second engagement surface, and is electrically coupled to the current generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Innovative Weld Solutions Ltd.
    Inventor: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan
  • Patent number: 8304682
    Abstract: The system provides both a portable and appliance welding system. It can be use in the shop and field. In either location it can be plugged in or battery driven. When plugged in it can weld while charging simultaneously offering 100% duty cycle for heavy shop use, and a full range of metal thicknesses can be welded with ease. The system is implemented with a solid state high energy circuit; unrestricted and unfiltered, offering a wide spectrum of pure analog power. The systems is compact for maximum portability and use in remote field operations, yet can handle deep welds in a variety of metal compositions, conditions, environments, and sizes. The system uses a proven and robust storage medium of direct electric potential energy that is supplied by industrial batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: C. Tyson Fisk
  • Patent number: 8278597
    Abstract: A hybrid welding device including a fuel cell and an energy storage device that cooperate to power a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation are provided. In some embodiments, the hybrid welding device may also include an engine coupled to a generator that is configured to supplement the power provided by the fuel cell and/or the energy storage device. The hybrid welding device may be adapted to provide power for a welding operation and/or an auxiliary operation when operated as a standalone unit and/or when connected to a primary source of utility power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Patrick Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20120241417
    Abstract: A system includes a welding power supply unit and control circuitry. The welding power supply unit includes an auxiliary power supply configured to supply power to an auxiliary power load connected to the auxiliary power supply. The control circuitry is configured to detect a voltage received by the auxiliary power load from the auxiliary power supply, compare an output voltage generated by the auxiliary power supply with the voltage received by the auxiliary power load, and apply a correction factor to the output voltage from the auxiliary power supply based at least in part on the comparison of the output voltage generated by the auxiliary power supply and the voltage received by the auxiliary power load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Mehn, Bernard J. Vogel
  • Publication number: 20120211472
    Abstract: A welding system includes an engine having a rotational power output, an AC welding generator operatively connected to the rotational power output for generating an AC current, a rectifying circuit electrically connected to the AC welding generator for converting the AC current to a DC output for welding, an auxiliary power generator for supplying AC power to an auxiliary electrically powered device, and a rotational speed adjuster coupling the auxiliary power supply to the rotational power output and configured to drive the auxiliary power supply at a different rotational rate than a rotational rate of the rotational power output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventor: Samir F. Farah
  • Publication number: 20120145677
    Abstract: A resistance welding system includes a plurality of first electrodes, and a second electrode which is provided facing the plurality of first electrodes and which is electrically connected to a welding power source. The welding system welds a plurality of weld members sandwiched between the plurality of first electrodes and the second electrode by resistance welding. A current feed roller which is electrically connected to the welding power source and which rotates while successively contacting the plurality of first electrodes for successively feeding current to the plurality of first electrodes and a pressing device which is designed to move in the rolling direction together with the current feed roller and presses the current feed roller so as to successively apply welding pressure to the plurality of weld members W are included in the resistance welding system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki SHIRAI, Tomohiko TAKENAKA
  • Publication number: 20120141824
    Abstract: A process for joining a brass part and a silicone carbide ceramics part, comprising steps of: providing parts comprising a brass part, a silicone carbide ceramics part, an aluminum foil and a nickel foil; bringing surfaces of the silicone carbide ceramics part, the aluminum foil, the nickel foil and the brass part into contact in turn; applying a joining pressure between about 10 MPa and 40 MPa to the parts; heating the parts at a rate below 50° C./min when a temperature of the parts is below about 300° C.; when the temperature of the parts is above about 300° C., heating the parts at a rate of about 80° C./min˜200° C./min until to a joining temperature of about 550° C. to about 650° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventors: HSIN-PEI CHANG, WEN-RONG CHEN, HUANN-WU CHIANG, CHENG-SHI CHEN, WEN-FENG HU
  • Publication number: 20120125896
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis by resistance welding a porous metal layer of the orthopedic prosthesis onto an underlying metal substrate of the orthopedic prosthesis. The resistance welding process involves directing an electrical current through the porous layer and the substrate, which dissipates as heat to cause softening and/or melting of the materials, especially along the interface between the porous layer and the substrate. The softened and/or melted materials undergo metallurgical bonding at points of contact between the porous layer and the substrate to fixedly secure the porous layer onto the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ZIMMER, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Vargas, Steven Seelman, Clarence M. Panchison
  • Publication number: 20120129043
    Abstract: To provide a method for producing an assembled battery with which electric resistance welding can be performed more efficiently and flexibility in cell layout can be increased. The method includes a step of preparing a lead plate 5A for connecting a cell 4A and a cell 4B, and a lead plate 5B for connecting the cell 4B and a cell 4C; a step of causing the lead plates 5A and 5B to contact against the cell 4B with one end of the lead plate 5A and one end of the lead plate 5B being spaced apart from each other with a predetermined plate gap therebetween; and a step of electric resistance welding the lead plates 5A and 5B to the cell 4B by causing electrodes to contact against the one end of the lead plate 5A and the one end of the lead plate 5B from the side opposite to the cell 4B and applying electric current between the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Shinji Ota
  • Patent number: 8178816
    Abstract: A device for resistance welding includes a welding clamp housing, a welding transformer, a welding clamp, a welding clamp drive for operating the welding clamp and a power supply using alternating supply voltage. The device may be built as small as possible and may be simple to expand. The power supply is implemented by a main converter and by drive and welding converters. The output of the main converter is connected to the inputs of the drive and welding converters. The inputs of the drive and welding converters are connected to one another. These connections are implemented by an a.c. voltage intermediate circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Dieter Stellwag, Thomas Klinger