Welding Patents (Class 219/121.63)
  • Patent number: 8716624
    Abstract: A roll former for forming a sheet into a continuous multi-tubular reinforcement beam. The roll former includes a first set of rollers that are configured to bend the sheet to form a common center wall in generally perpendicular orientation relative to first and second lateral portions of the sheet that extend in opposing directions from respective first and second radiused ends of the common center wall. The first set of rollers also form radiused edges on the first and second lateral portions. A second set of rollers is configured to form a channel rib longitudinally along each of the first and second lateral portions. A third set of rollers is configured to bend the first and second lateral portions simultaneously and equally to abut the first and second radiused edges with the respective first and second radiused ends of the common center wall to define adjacent tubes of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas Johnson, Doug Witte, Daniel Gatti, Brian Oxley, Brian Malkowski
  • Patent number: 8716621
    Abstract: A head for the continuous precision machining on three-dimensional bodies includes a fastening means to a flange of a machining equipment, having a first mechanical rotation axis, an intermediate means having a second mechanical rotation axis in series to the first mechanical rotation axis. The second mechanical rotation axis is orthogonal to the first mechanical rotation axis which intersects at a point of intersection. A terminal processing means has in series with the first and second mechanical rotation axes a third mechanical translating axis. The intermediate means has an arc configuration of a circumference with its centre at the point of intersection. The first mechanical rotation axis and the third mechanical translating axis are radially oriented to the arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: Fabrizio Grassi, Graziano Rolando
  • Publication number: 20140120364
    Abstract: There are often difficulties in producing materials that are wide and long, such as from the availability of properly dimensioned feedstock materials, processing costs, engineering challenges, and the like. As such, new methods for joining materials are needed. The present invention relates to composite materials, such as a sandwich composite, articles prepared from a composite material, and methods for preparing articles, that employ an edge joint. The edge joint may be employed for attaching the composite material to another composite material, or for attaching it to a monolithic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen John Peca, Eyal Mizrahi
  • Patent number: 8710398
    Abstract: A splicing apparatus for joining a trailing end of a downstream metal strip to the leading end of an upstream metal strip includes a base having a working surface, a cover assembly operatively connected to the base and movable between an open position and a closed position, a fixed platen fixedly secured to the working surface, a moving platen slidably connected to the working surface, and a laser device for both cutting said downstream and upstream metal strips and for welding said metal strips together, the laser device including a laser source and a laser head in communication with the laser source, the laser head being connected to said cover assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Joining Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Boynton, Scott Poeppel
  • Publication number: 20140110383
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting two workpiece parts to form a workpiece by through-transmission welding by means of weld seams running in a preselected weld seam pattern in regions of the workpiece parts having different characteristics is provided. The apparatus has a laser beam source with a plurality of individually controllable laser beam emitters of different power which are arranged adjacently in an X direction and a homogenizer arranged downstream. At least two reflection channels are provided in the homogenizer which run parallel to one another in a Y direction and completely penetrate the homogenizer in a Z direction by a channel depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: JENOPTIK Automatisierungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Werner WOLLMANN, Christoph STEINER, Wilfried KRAEMER, Alexander VOITSCH
  • Patent number: 8698039
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for a firm bonding of a first material with a second material by means of soldering through focused laser radiation impacting on the first material, with the output controlled in dependence on the temperature measured in the area of the impacting focused laser radiation. To assure that surface properties will not lead to a noticeable distortion of the material temperature to be measured so that a reproducible, high quality soldering will be possible, it is provided for the temperature to be measured in an area of the first material that is adjacent to that in which the focused laser radiation impacts on the first material, with the area in which the temperature is measured and the area of impact of the laser radiation lying within the area of the soldering spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Reis Group Holding GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Lars-Soren Ott
  • Publication number: 20140097161
    Abstract: Provided are an optical system and a laser processing apparatus with which spattering can be suppressed by reducing an evaporation reactive force at a workpiece by forming two focal points on the optical axis, using a simple configuration. An optical system is provided with a convex lens that focuses laser light; and a concave lens that is disposed on the same optical axis as the laser light that passes through the convex lens, wherein the concave lens has a first region that has a through-hole, that is positioned on the optical axis, and that does not have lens properties, as well as a second region that surrounds the first region and that diverges the laser light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masao WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8689422
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a small form factor computer includes a number of keys and associated electrical contacts positioned between the top case portion of the computer and the feature plate. The attachment of the keyboard assembly during the manufacturing process can be accelerated by welding securing fasteners through small holes in the feature plate directly to the top case portion of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: John Raff
  • Patent number: 8686314
    Abstract: A method for soldering or welding components in a series production wherein: a fixing seam which connects the components (1, 2) is produced by melting a connecting material (3), which is supplied as an additional material or is formed by a base material of the components (1, 2), along a joint formed by the components (1, 2); and a volume-forming layer of connecting material is deposited onto the fixing seam by melting, or the fixing seam produced by means of the connecting material supplied as an additional material is re-melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: FFT EDAG Produktionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Schneegans, Martin Kraft
  • Patent number: 8681923
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a core shroud for a nuclear plant and a nuclear power plant structure in which a groove portion is easily assembled in the case of manufacturing the core shroud having a weld structure of a nuclear power plant by a laser welding, and it is possible to obtain a weld joint portion in which a plastic distortion region and a residual stress are as small as possible, going with a solidification shrinkage of the weld portion. At a time of welding butted portions of a plurality of members constructing a core shroud, a root face is provided in the butted portion, a length of the root face is set to 25% to 95% of a thickness of the thinner one of the butted portions of a plurality of members, a narrow groove is provided in the other than the root face, and the butted portions are welded by a laser welding using a weld wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Ashida, Xudong Zhang, Shoh Tarasawa, Masaya Okada, Yusuke Anma
  • Publication number: 20140076866
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for joining a first component (3) to a second component (5) by means of energy beam welding, wherein at least one of the components (3, 5) has a coating that regionally evaporates during the energy beam welding. In order to allow improved joining of the components (3, 5), the method is carried out by positioning the first component (3) and the second component (5) between a first pressure piece (7) and a second pressure piece (9), moving the pressure pieces (7, 9) towards one another and in the process analysing a profile (31) that characterizes a force (33) that occurs between the pressure pieces (7, 9), setting a relative position of the pressure pieces (7, 9) with respect to one another depending on the analysis, joining the components (3, 5) by means of the energy beam welding with the pressure pieces (7, 9) in the set relative position. The invention also relates to a device (1) according to the method for joining the components (3, 5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Mario Gramsch, Norbert Weferling
  • Patent number: 8669487
    Abstract: A device for joining by a laser beam two components along a ring-shaped contact zone, where a first of the two components is transmissive for the laser beam and a second of the two components is absorptive for the laser beam. The device includes a receptacle configured to affix the absorptive component and an internal clamping chuck configured for placement on the transmissive component within an open inside area of the contact zone. The device also includes a pressure element with an open inside area that is larger than an extension of the contact zone, a laser source configured to emit the laser beam, and a rotatable holding wheel. The pressure element is connected to the internal clamping chuck via an external axial bearing, the holding wheel and an internal axial bearing so as to transmit to the internal clamping chuck contact pressure exerted on the pressure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Jenoptik Automatisierungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Mangols, Michael Krug
  • Publication number: 20140061171
    Abstract: Hybrid welding apparatuses include a laser that produces a leading laser beam, and, an arc welder that produces a trailing backhand weld arc, wherein the leading laser beam and the trailing backhand weld arc are directed towards a common molten pool, and wherein the trailing backhand weld arc trails the leading laser beam as the leading laser beam progresses in a weld direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Dechao Lin, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Yan Cui, David Edward Schick
  • Publication number: 20140054273
    Abstract: A dual-weave welding system is disclosed. The system may have a first welding device configured to create a weld joint in a gap between two or more work pieces by moving a first welding component along a first weaving path. The system may also have a second welding device configured to create the weld joint in the gap by moving a second welding component along a second weaving path. The system may further have a controller that sends commands to control the movement of the first welding device and the second welding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Jacob Behmlander, Keith Maynard Egland
  • Publication number: 20140048518
    Abstract: A laser welding apparatus generates laser by a laser oscillator, converges the laser by a condenser lens, and applies the laser to an upper sheet and a lower sheet superposed together so as to weld the upper sheet and the lower sheet to each other. According to this apparatus, by laser irradiation, a melt pool Y is formed in the upper sheet and the lower sheet superposed together. Furthermore, by laser irradiation, the melt pool Y is caused to flow, and the upper sheet and the lower sheet are welded together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Ogura, Atsushi Kawakita, Toshiki Yui
  • Patent number: 8653407
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inspecting the quality of laser welding by monitoring the size of a metal molten pool (i.e., weld metal) during a laser welding process. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for inspecting the quality of laser welding, in which a new type laser welding quality inspection system is implemented in which one sensor signal and one filtered electrical signal of the plasma light can be used to perform a correct welding quality inspection through the development of a filtering method of an electrical signal of the plasma light, thereby facilitating a laser welding quality management and making possible its example application to a vehicle body laser welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kwang Min Oh
  • Patent number: 8653406
    Abstract: A device and a process for processing and/or joining work pieces via laser radiation, with an effective power laser and a pilot target laser that emit laser beams of different wavelengths, with the laser beams being directed at the work pieces by laser optics. Regarding the laser beams, by the laser optics that comprise at least one diffractive optical element (DOE) as a masking system, the beam pattern of the pilot target laser is adjusted to match the beam pattern of the effective laser beam. This is accomplished preferably by removing the pilot laser beam from the effective laser beam for part of the path length by dichroic mirrors, and by expanding the diverging pilot laser beam on said part of the path length by deflecting mirrors whose distance from the dichroic mirrors is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Leister Technologies AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Gubler, Michael Scheidt
  • Publication number: 20140042208
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle power transmission device having a case and a ring gear fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the case to transmit drive power from a drive source. The method includes: a welding step in which an annular flange is provided on the case or the ring gear and butt welding is performed by lapping a weld bead along the contact portion of one side surface of the annular flange and the case or the ring gear; a measurement step in which the outline of the other side surface of the annular flange placed in close proximity to the one side surface are measured; and an evaluation step in which a weld condition is evaluated based on part of the outline, which is determined in the measurement step, of a portion corresponding to the lapping portion of the weld bead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Uchida, Shingo Iwatani, Katsunori Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140034621
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for welding, using a laser-hot-wire welding system, in an out-of-position state, where the weld joint has a narrow groove opening but the groove of the weld joint has a wider portion than that between the workpiece surfaces than at the groove opening through which the welding operation is directed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph A. DANIEL, Michael Whitehead, Lisa M. Byall
  • Publication number: 20140034620
    Abstract: A clamping device and a laser welding apparatus using the same are disclosed. The clamping device may include: an upper clamping link mounted rotatably upwardly or downwardly by a hinge shaft; a lower clamping link mounted rotatably in an opposite direction of the upper clamping link by the hinge shaft and corresponding to the upper clamping link; at least two upper rollers rotatably mounted at the upper clamping link; at least two lower rollers rotatably mounted at the lower clamping link, corresponding to the upper roller, and fixing a welding object together with the upper rollers; and an operating cylinder configured to rotate the upper clamping link and the lower clamping link in opposite directions to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SUNGWOO HITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mun Yong LEE, Byung-Sun SONG
  • Publication number: 20140034622
    Abstract: A system and method for narrow groove welding is provided. The system includes at least one laser emitting a laser beam to heat at least one of a first workpiece and a second workpiece to create at least one molten puddle. The system also includes at least one wire feeder feeding at least one wire to the at least one molten puddle. An edge of the first workpiece and an edge of the second workpiece are configured such that an alignment of the workpieces forms a first groove and a second groove. The first groove and the second groove are formed on opposite sides of the workpieces. For each groove, its depth is 50% to 75% of a thickness of the first workpiece or the second workpiece, a gap width at a surface of the workpieces is 1.5 to 2 times a diameter of the at least one wire, and a sidewall angle is a range of 0.5 to 10 degrees with respect to a centerline of the respective groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: Mike BARRETT
  • Publication number: 20140027413
    Abstract: A dual-wire hybrid welding system includes a hybrid welding apparatus having laser, electric arc welder and second wire feeding device. Electric arc welder includes first wire feeding device for feeding first wire. Second wire feeding device is arranged and disposed to feed a second wire to electric arc welder. Laser and electric arc welder are arranged and disposed to direct energy toward at least two adjacent components along a joint and first wire is a consumable electrode fed into joint to establish molten pool generated by both laser and arc welder with first wire. Second wire is fed to molten pool to form a common molten pool. Common molten pool is operable to provide a full penetration weld with less total heat input to join the at least two adjacent components without cracking the components at a high constant weld speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dechao LIN, Srikanth Chandrudu KOTTILINGAM, Brian L. TOLLISON, Yan CUI, David SCHICK
  • Publication number: 20140027415
    Abstract: An adaptive control hybrid welding system including hybrid welding apparatus, control system connected to hybrid welding apparatus, and seam tracker connected to control system is provided. Hybrid welding apparatus includes a laser and an electric arc welder. Laser and electric arc welder each have adjustable welding parameters. Control system modifies welding parameters of laser and electric arc welder, and spacing between laser beam and arc of welder. Seam tracker is operable to measure seam property of adjacent workpieces prior to welding. Seam tracker is operable to send signals to control system in response to the measured seam property. Control system modifies welding parameters based on signal from seam tracker and adaptive control hybrid welding apparatus joins adjacent workpieces having variable gap sizes of up to 2.5 mm with full penetration welds. Also provided is a method of controlling the adaptive control hybrid welding system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dechao LIN, Srikanth Chandrudu KOTTILINGAM, Yan CUI, David SCHICK
  • Publication number: 20140027414
    Abstract: A hybrid welding system including a hybrid welding apparatus and method of welding are provided. The hybrid welding apparatus includes a laser, an electric arc welder with a non-consumable electrode and a wire feeding device. The electric arc welder provides an electric arc without feeding a welding wire. The wire feeding device is arranged and disposed to feed a wire to a treatment area, which is located between the projections of laser beam and the electric arc. The laser and the electric arc welder are arranged and disposed to direct energy toward at least two adjacent components to form a common molten pool. The wire is fed by the wire feeding device into the common molten pool created by the laser and the electric arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dechao LIN, Brian L. TOLLISON, Srikanth Chandrudu KOTTILINGAM, David SCHICK, Yan CUI
  • Patent number: 8637166
    Abstract: Provided are strain hardened high strength nickel based alloy welds that yield improved properties and performance in joining high strength metals. The advantageous weldments include two or more segments of ferrous or non-ferrous components, and fusion welds, friction stir welds, electron beam welds, laser beam welds, or a combination thereof bonding adjacent segments of the components together, wherein the welds comprise a strain hardened nickel based alloy weld metal composition including greater than or equal to 10 wt % Mo based on the total weight of the nickel based alloy weld metal composition. Also provided are methods for forming the welds from the nickel based alloy weld compositions. The strain hardened high strength nickel based alloy welds are useful in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry in applications for natural gas transportation and storage, oil and gas well completion and production, and oil and gas refinery and chemical plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Raghavan Ayer, Neeraj Srinivas Thirumalai, Hyun-Woo Jin, Daniel B. Lillig, Douglas Paul Fairchild, Steven Jeffrey Ford
  • Patent number: 8633418
    Abstract: There is provided manufacturing method of a spark plug that includes a center electrode and a ground electrode with a discharge gap left therebetween. At least one of the center electrode and the ground electrode has an electrode body containing a base metal and a noble metal tip welded to the electrode body. The spark plug manufacturing method includes a laser welding step for welding the noble metal tip and the electrode body by placing the noble metal tip at a given position on the electrode body, irradiating a pulsed laser onto the noble metal tip and the electrode body and thereby sequentially forming welding spots corresponding to pulses of the laser in a circumferential direction of the noble metal tip, wherein at least one of the laser pulses is an initially increasing type laser pulse having a laser intensity waveform in which a laser intensity increases with time during a predetermined initial period from a pulse start time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kato, Akikazu Taido, Yuichi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8629368
    Abstract: A direct-metal deposition (DMD) processing stage and a 5DOF (degree of freedom) dry micro-EDM (mEDM) stage are integrated to provide the submicron scale resolution necessary for the ultra-precision processing of work pieces. The DMD processing stage includes optical feedback for dimensional control utilizing a high-power, fiber-coupled diode laser with fast response time and small beam parameter product. The electrical discharge machining (EDM) stage is a dry EDM stage using an inert gas with appropriate dielectric properties to perform the surface finishing operations. The system further includes one or more surface treatment operations to obtain a desired level of surface hardness or wear resistance and/or to minimize the distortion induced in treating the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: DM3D Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Jyoti Mazumder, Jun Ni, Albert Shih
  • Publication number: 20140008332
    Abstract: A system and method for using gas flow to control a molten puddle in out-of-position applications is provided. The system includes a high intensity energy source configured to heat at lease one workpiece to create a molten puddle and a housing assembly configured to supply a gas over the molten puddle in order to minimize sagging of the molten puddle in the out-of-position applications. The system also includes a gas source that is configured to supply the gas. The gas source is operatively connected to the housing assembly. The pressure of the gas in the housing assembly is in a range of 15 psi to 35 psi. The method includes heating at least one workpiece to create a molten puddle and supplying a gas over the molten puddle via a housing assembly in order to minimize sagging of the molten puddle in the out-of-position applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan S. OGBORN, Edward Enyedy, Steven R. Sumner
  • Publication number: 20140008334
    Abstract: A system and method for use in brazing, cladding, building up, filling, overlaying, welding, and joining applications is provided. The system includes a first laser beam system which directs a first laser beam at a surface of at least one workpiece to create a molten puddle on the surface and a wire feeder which advances a consumable to the molten puddle so that the consumable contacts the molten puddle. The system also includes a power supply which outputs a heating signal and the heating signal is directed to the consumable to heat the consumable prior to the consumable entering the puddle. The system further includes a second laser beam system which directs a second laser beam at the consumable prior to the consumable entering the puddle and a controller which controls an output of each of the power supply and the second laser beam system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Elliott ASH, William T. Mathews
  • Publication number: 20140008333
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for welding a component to fill a groove therein. The method entails simultaneously projecting an electric arc and at least first and second laser beams into the groove. The electric arc melts and deposits a filler material in the groove while the first and second laser beams are projected onto opposite first and second walls, respectively, of the groove. The axis of each of the first and second laser beams is oriented at an acute angle relative to the respective wall thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dechao Lin, Jamison William Janawitz, David Vincent Bucci, Matthew James O'Connell, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Ronald Lee Souther
  • Publication number: 20140001163
    Abstract: A chip attraction passage 23 is provided extending through a housing 5A, a tool base 13, and a bonding tool 14. When the chip attraction passage 23 is attracted by the vacuum source 32, a semiconductor chip 3 can be attracted to and held on the lower surface of the bonding tool 14. The tool base 13 is configured by laminating transmitting members 11 and 12. A connection passage 29, which is a main part of the chip attraction passage 23, is configured by a groove 12B formed on the upper surface of the transmitting member 12 and a through-hole 12A in the center of the transmitting member 12. When the semiconductor chip 3 is heated by laser beams L and bonded to a substrate 2, even if flux or the like adhering to bumps 35 transpires and adheres in the connection passage 29.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Eiji TANAKA, Hiroyuki YASUYOSHI
  • Patent number: 8618437
    Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed which is capable of adjusting spacing between an optical member and a holding member or between optical members virtually without changing irradiation conditions of laser, and thus achieving reduction of joining time and improvement of positional accuracy at low cost. The apparatus includes an optical member, a thermomelting member, a spacing adjustment member and a holding member in this order. A first weld portion welding the spacing adjustment member and the holding member is formed therebetween, the first weld portion having been formed by heat generation of the holding member irradiated with the laser light transmitted through the optical member, the thermomelting member and the spacing adjustment member, and a second weld portion welding the spacing adjustment member and the optical member is formed therebetween, the second weld portion having been formed by the thermomelting member melted with heat transferred from the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Seita
  • Publication number: 20130341311
    Abstract: Laser hybrid welding systems adapted to identify and/or fix a weld defect occurring during a laser hybrid welding process are provided. Embodiments of the laser hybrid welding system may include one or more devices that provide feedback to a controller regarding one or more weld parameters. One embodiment of the laser hybrid welding system includes sensors that are adapted to measure the weld voltage and/or amperage during the welding process and transmit the acquired data to the controller for processing. Another embodiment of the laser hybrid welding system includes a lead camera and a lag camera that film an area directly in front of the weld location and directly behind the weld location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Patrick Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20130319981
    Abstract: A laser machine tool for the machining of workpieces by laser ablation comprising a moveable dual laser head (4). The laser machine tool has a dual laser head (4) intended for the emission of laser beams, whereby the laser head (4) incorporates in its housing two or more laser sources (8), each laser source emitting a different type of laser beams and whereby the two or more laser sources (8) incorporated in the laser head (4) cannot operate simultaneously for the machining of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: AGIE CHARMILLES NEW TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventor: Dino Cataldo Paganelli
  • Patent number: 8592714
    Abstract: A gripper device for laser welding and vision inspection is provided which includes a frame unit releasably mounted on a front end of an arm of a robot and a clamping unit mounted on the frame unit. Additionally, embodied in this single gripper device is a laser-vision exchange (first) module, a laser-vision sharing (second) module and a laser-vision target (third) module all embodied in a single gripper device to irradiate laser beam for welding a welding object and obtain a vision source of an inspection object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jung Whan Yeum
  • Publication number: 20130309000
    Abstract: A welding method and apparatus that simultaneously utilize laser beams and arc welding techniques. The welding apparatus generates a first laser beam that is projected onto a joint region between at least two workpieces to produce a first laser beam projection on adjacent surfaces of the workpieces and to cause the first laser beam projection to travel along the joint region and penetrate the joint region. The apparatus also generates an electric arc to produce an arc projection that encompasses the first laser beam projection and travels therewith along the joint region to form a molten weld pool. In addition, the apparatus generates a pair of lateral laser beams that produce lateral laser beams projections that are encompassed by the arc projection and are spaced laterally apart from the joint region to interact with portions of the weld pool that solidify to define weld toes of the weld joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMAPNY
    Inventors: Dechao Lin, David Vincent Bucci, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Yan Cui
  • Patent number: 8571823
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling the quality of an industrial process, of the type that comprises the steps of: providing one or more reference signals for the industrial process; acquiring one or more real signals that are indicative of the quality of said industrial process; and comparing said one or more reference signals with said one or more real signals in order to identify defects in said industrial process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: CRF Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Giuseppe D'Angelo, Giorgio Pasquettaz, Andrea Terreno
  • Patent number: 8563896
    Abstract: A welding system and method includes a main torch including a main electrode configured to form a first arc with a base metal; a first bypass torch including a first bypass electrode configured to form a second arc with the main electrode; and a second bypass torch including a second bypass electrode configured to form a third arc with the main electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventors: Yu Ming Zhang, Jinsong Chen
  • Publication number: 20130270232
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of laser diode unit of the present invention includes steps: placing a laser diode on top of a solder member formed on a mounting surface of a submount, applying a pressing load to the laser diode and pressing the laser diode against the solder member, next, melting the solder member by heating the solder member at a temperature higher than a melting point of the solder member while the pressing load is being applied, and thereafter, bonding the laser diode to the submount by cooling and solidifying the solder member, thereafter, removing the pressing load, and softening the solidified solder member by heating the solder member at a temperature lower than the melting point of the solder member after the pressing load has been removed, and thereafter cooling and re-solidifying the solder member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicants: TDK Corporation, SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd., ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji SHIMAZAWA, Osamu Shindo, Yoshihiro Tsuchiya, Yasuhiro Ito, Kenji Sakai
  • Patent number: 8558135
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the quality of laser-machining processes (500), in particular laser-cutting or laser-welding processes, including the operations of: acquiring via sensor means (540), in particular optical sensors, a machining-process signal (Xp) and calculating from said signal representing the process (Xp) parameters (E1, E2, DC) that represent the machining quality during the laser-machining process; and making available (130) corresponding reference parameters (E1r, E2r, DCr) representing a given machining quality, which are calculated from a process reference signal (Xr) acquired via said sensor means (540).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Prima Industrie S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Calefati
  • Patent number: 8552337
    Abstract: Laser hybrid welding systems adapted to identify and/or fix a weld defect occurring during a laser hybrid welding process are provided. Embodiments of the laser hybrid welding system may include one or more devices that provide feedback to a controller regarding one or more weld parameters. One embodiment of the laser hybrid welding system includes sensors that are adapted to measure the weld voltage and/or amperage during the welding process and transmit the acquired data to the controller for processing. Another embodiment of the laser hybrid welding system includes a lead camera and a lag camera that film an area directly in front of the weld location and directly behind the weld location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Patrick Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20130256281
    Abstract: A solder-jet nozzle for laser-soldering head-connection pads of a head-stack assembly (HSA) for a hard-disk drive (HDD). The solder-jet nozzle includes a body, a central duct, and an outer surface of the body. The body includes a tip configured to deliver a solder ball in proximity to head-connection pads of a head-gimbal assembly (HGA) of the HSA. The central duct is configured to convey the solder ball to the tip. The outer surface of the body includes a first portion, and at least a first flat. The first portion substantially coincides with a conical surface of a cone with axis disposed about along the central axis of the body. The first flat, which is parallel to the central axis, is contiguous with the first portion, and intersects the conical surface of the cone. A laser-soldering tool and a method, for laser-soldering head-connection pads of the HSA are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Tatsumi Tsuchiya, Nobuyuki Hashi, Yusuke Matsumoto, Takuya Satoh
  • Publication number: 20130256283
    Abstract: A welding method, e.g., a laser welding method, for connecting a first workpiece to a second workpiece, includes a first method step in which the first and the second workpiece are brought into contact with each other; a second method step in which a desired welding distortion is ascertained; and a third method step in which the first and the second workpiece are welded to each other as a function of the welding distortion, and/or in which the first and the second workpiece are rotated about an axis of rotation at a rotational speed, the first and the second workpiece being welded to each other as a function of the rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Jeihad Zeadan
  • Publication number: 20130248229
    Abstract: An electrical conductor includes a base substrate of at least one of copper, copper alloy, nickel or nickel alloy and a layered structure applied to the base substrate. The layered structure includes a foil and a graphene layer deposited on the foil. The layered structure is applied to the base substrate after the graphene layer is deposited on the foil. A method of manufacturing the electrical conductor includes providing a base substrate, providing a foil, depositing a graphene layer on the foil to define a layered structure, and depositing the layered structure on the base substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney I. Martens
  • Publication number: 20130232787
    Abstract: A connector comprises a base insulator, a plurality of elongated plate shaped contacts arranged on the base insulator, and a cover insulator arranged to hold the contacts in cooperation with the base insulator and welded to the base insulator, the base insulator is provided with a pair of openings arranged to face each other across each of holders and to intersect with the direction in which the holders are arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Takushi YOSHIDA, Yuko MOTOJIMA, Hiroshi AKIMOTO, Takahiro YAMAJI, Fumio ISHIBASHI
  • Publication number: 20130236299
    Abstract: A heat exchange system includes a first flow passage and a second flow passage. The heat exchange system is configured to transfer heat between a first fluid flowing through the first flow passage and a second fluid flowing through the second flow passage. The first flow passage includes an inlet header, a plurality of tubes, and an outlet header. The inlet header includes a plurality of header-tube transition portions configured to allow the first fluid to flow from the inlet header and into the tubes, the plurality of header-tube transition portions each including a smoothly curved inlet portion and a tapered tube connection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Harry Lester Kington, Mark C. Morris, Donald G. Godfrey, John Meier, Charles Lo
  • Publication number: 20130233836
    Abstract: Machinery and process are disclosed for laser welding. A beam is generated and focused on a discrete work surface, with a distinctive nozzle provided for delivering plasma suppression gas toward the surface. The nozzle has first and second inlets for receiving first and second sources of different plasma suppression gases, respectively. The nozzle has first and second outlets in fluid communication with the first and second inlets, respectively, together directing an externally mixed stream of the gases from the nozzle at an angle of incidence of 35 degrees to 50 degrees relative to the surface to impinge upon the generated plasma. The impinging stream intersects the beam at or above the surface, as the mixed gases are deflected across the beam. The invention saves on helium costs and demonstrably increases weld penetration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher Dackson
  • Patent number: 8513562
    Abstract: A method for hybrid direct manufacturing is provided. The method involves depositing a foundation of material onto a substrate platform or base plate. The foundation serves as a foundation for a block of material (a monolith) to be welded thereon. Once the foundation is created, the monolith or block of material may be placed against the foundation. The foundation may be created such that its boundary matches with the boundary of the monolith that will be welded on top of the foundation. Next, the monolith is welded to the foundation using a high energy beam such as an electron beam. The method may also involve depositing a layer of material on or adjacent to the monolith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Steve L. Bichsel
  • Publication number: 20130193123
    Abstract: A method for monitoring quality of a weld, includes implementing a probabilistic statistical model, for determining a rating of the quality of the weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Saint-Martin, Thierry Cembrzynski
  • Publication number: 20130193124
    Abstract: A system and method of hybrid welding a dual fillet weld. The system includes a laser system that leads a first torch and preheats at least one workpiece. The system also includes a first welding power supply that supplies a first welding waveform to a first wire via the first torch. The first welding waveform creates a first arc between the first wire and the at least one workpiece. The system further includes a second welding power supply that supplies a second welding waveform to a second wire via a second torch. The second welding waveform creates a second arc between the second wire and the at least one workpiece. A controller in the system is operatively coupled to the first power supply, the second power supply and the laser system. The controller synchronizes the first welding waveform and the second welding waveform such that welding current pulses of the second welding waveform at the second torch are not in phase with welding current pulses of the first welding waveform at the first torch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventor: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.