Methods Patents (Class 219/121.64)
  • Publication number: 20140197143
    Abstract: Re-melting the material of a component transversely to the propagation direction of a crack in the component, providing a welding beam on the component and moving the welding beam at least transversely over the crack for re-melting the material, and more material is re-melted and increasing the strength of the re-melted crack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bernd BURBAUM, Torsten JOKISCH
  • Publication number: 20140193280
    Abstract: The damper mechanism used for a high-pressure fuel supply pump system is configured so that an outer circumferential surface of a cover in regard to the thickness direction of the base material of the cover engages with the inner circumference of an open end part of a bottomed tubular concave part formed in a damper housing or in a pump housing of the high-pressure fuel supply pump. The total height of the damper as a low-pressure pulsation reducing mechanism can be reduced and the dimensions of the damper in the radial directions can also be reduced. In cases where the damper mechanism is formed integrally with the high-pressure fuel supply pump, the total height of the high-pressure fuel supply pump can be reduced and the dimensions of the damper part in the radial directions can also be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Atsuji Saito
  • Patent number: 8772669
    Abstract: The present invention aims to rapidly and easily create processed data for scan controlling a laser light beam, and to create the processed data for the laser processing apparatus at high precision. A setting plane corresponding to a scanning region of a laser marker is displayed on a processed data generating device. A user operates the processed data generating device to arrange the processing pattern on the setting plane. Here, a marker head coincides an optical axis of the laser light beam L on a position corresponding to the reference point of the processing pattern, and photographs a work W with a camera which light receiving axis is coaxial with the optical axis of the laser light beam L. A photographed image monitor displays the photographed image along with a symbol indicating the position of the light receiving axis of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Idaka, Akio Takeuchi, Hideki Yamakawa
  • Publication number: 20140182127
    Abstract: The invention is a welding method for welding a cable to a terminal, the cable comprising multiple strands and an insulating sheath around the multiple strands, the method comprising the steps of removing the insulating sheath from an end section of the cable, pressing the multiple strands to the terminal with a pressing mechanism, and making at least one welding connection between the multiple strands and the terminal by applying at least one pulse of a laser onto the end section of the cable, and removing the pressing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Tamas Kovacs, Peter Nagy
  • Publication number: 20140188116
    Abstract: A cutting tool is provided with a cutting surface on a first side of the cutting tool and an attachment member on a second side of the cutting tool. The cutting surface can have cutting edges with characteristics that vary along the cutting tool. Novel methods of manufacturing such cutting tools are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher G. Sidebotham, Leon Roitburg, Randall J. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20140175069
    Abstract: Provided is a method of efficiently manufacturing a high-quality laser welded steel pipe at a high yield ratio while occurrence of underfill is prevented. Specifically, welding is performed using multiple laser beams each having a spot diameter of 0.3 mm or larger on an upper surface of an open pipe (a surface of a steel strip), the plurality of laser beams being arranged such that the sum of spot lengths of the plurality of laser beams, the spot lengths extending perpendicularly to a welding line, on the surface of the steel strip is 0.5 mm or larger and such that a distance between spot centers of the plurality of laser beams in a direction of the welding line falls within 5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yano, Kenji Oi
  • Publication number: 20140175068
    Abstract: A method of laser welding a first part to a second part including: shining a pointer laser, redirected by a bending mirror, to form a laser beam directed toward the first and second parts to create a laser stripe on the parts; detecting the laser stripe with a camera that is coaxially located and receives an image along an axis defined by the laser beam; processing the image with a camera processor to detect a location of the feature; automatically adjusting a laser welding system to account for the location of the feature; and activating a welding laser, directed through the bending mirror, to weld the first part to the second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Poss, Lance T. Ransom
  • Publication number: 20140177188
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for packaging of dissimilar devices using electromagnetic radiation from a laser. In one aspect, an apparatus can include a first substrate, a second substrate, and a first device and a second device disposed on the second substrate. A first metal ring on the first substrate contacts a second metal ring on a second substrate, and is heated by a first electromagnetic radiation from a laser to enclose a first cavity containing the first device. A third metal ring on the first substrate contacts a fourth metal ring on the second substrate, and is heated by a second electromagnetic radiation to enclose a second cavity containing the second device. Enclosing the first cavity may be performed under a first atmosphere, and the enclosing the second cavity may be performed under a second, different atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip Jason Stephanou, Ravindra V. Shenoy, Kwan-Yu Lai, James G. Shook, Nassim Khonsari, Peter Jings Lin, Tsongming Kao, Peng Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8759712
    Abstract: A method of forming stiffened plate by welding a plurality of stiffener materials and a steel plate, so that closed cross-sectional structures are secured onto a surface of the steel plate. The stiffener materials are joined to the steel plate as a result of edge portions of the stiffener materials which are in contact with the steel plate by being laser welded at a predetermined welding speed as a result of a laser having a predetermined output being irradiated from a predetermined direction thereon from the external side of the closed cross-sectional structures. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the weld quality when welding stiffener materials onto a steel plate, and to achieve an improvement in fatigue strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Koutarou Inose, Shiro Saito, Junko Kambayashi, Hiroto Yamaoka, Tomohiro Sugino, Isao Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8756785
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shaft of a surgical instrument including forming a proximal segment of the shaft to include one or more features for operably engaging the shaft to a first component of the surgical instrument, forming a distal segment of the shaft to include one or more features for operably engaging the shaft to a second component of the surgical instrument and forming an intermediate segment of the shaft. The proximal segment is welded to a proximal end of the intermediate segment; and the distal segment is welded to a distal end of the intermediate segment. The proximal and distal segments are welded to the intermediate segment such that the one or more features thereof are aligned in a pre-determined orientation relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Kim V. Brandt, Monte S. Fry, Keir Hart, Daniel A. Joseph, Peter M. Mueller, Jeffrey R. Unger
  • Patent number: 8759711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for spot welding with a laser beam (6) in which the laser beam (6) passes through a tube (3) and impinges on the components (7.1, 7.2) to be welded together. The cross section of the laser beam (6) is formed by reflections inside the tube, and the distribution of the radiation intensity is homogenized across the cross section of the beam. At the same time, the tube (3) exerts a contact force (F) on the components (7.1, 7.2) that are to be welded together. Using a plurality of laser beams (6), to each of which a tube (3) is dedicated downstream, it is possible to create a simple and robust, component-specific system by means of which several or all weld spots can be simultaneously produced so as to conjoin the two components (7.1, 7.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Automatisierung Stechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Wollmann, Wilfried Kraemer, Jan Langebach, Sven Fischbach
  • Patent number: 8759710
    Abstract: A process is described for form locking joining of two components through plastic deformation of one of the two components. In order for the tool for forming the form locking connection not to get in direct contact with the plasticized area of the joining partners, a third component between the tool and the two components to be joined through form locking is being used, which simultaneously enters into an adhesive bond with one of the two components to be joined through form locking. The thermal energy for creating the plastic state of one of the joining partners and for developing the adhesive bond is applied through electromagnetic radiation through the third component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
    Inventors: Frank Brunnecker, Alexander Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20140166797
    Abstract: A method of forming a processor disk for a processor of materials may include providing a disk blank with a central portion and a perimeter portion, with the perimeter portion extending between the central portion and a circumference of the disk blank, the perimeter portion having a perimeter surface; and applying material to the perimeter portion of the disk blank to form a plurality of teeth on at least the perimeter surface of the perimeter portion. A processor disk may comprise a disk blank with a central portion and a perimeter portion, with the perimeter portion extending between the central portion and a circumference of the disk blank and having a perimeter surface divided into opposite side surfaces by a circumferential edge; and a plurality of teeth formed on the perimeter surface through application of material to the perimeter surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: NOLAN DEN BOER, THAD DE JAGER
  • Publication number: 20140161618
    Abstract: A method for joining first and second metal portions includes welding together the portions such that a weld nugget joins them, compressively stressing the weld nugget throughout its volume, and heat treating the compressively stressed weld nugget to recrystallize metal therein. A method for strengthening a metal element includes imparting compressive stress within a region of the metal element, and heat treating it such that metal of the region recrystallizes with a finer grain structure than was present in the region before the step of imparting the compressive stress. A repaired metal part includes a first, original section made of metal alloy, and a second, repair section of metal alloy joined to the original section by a recrystallized metal weld having crystals within +/?3 ASTM-112 grain sizes of the size of the crystals of the original and repair sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Keystone Synergistic Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Walker, Raymond Walker
  • Publication number: 20140154521
    Abstract: Disclosed are a tailor welded blank and a manufacturing method thereof. The tailor welded blank is manufactured by connecting blank elements of different materials or thicknesses, thereby eliminating quality problems in a welded zone. A hot stamped component is manufactured by hot stamping the tailor welded blank formed by laser-welding blank elements made of coated steel plates having different strengths or thicknesses using a filler wire, wherein a laser-welded zone has a martensite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicants: PUSAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION, HYUNDAI HYSCO
    Inventors: Min-Suck Kwon, Yun-Gyu Kim, Young-Jin Kim, Chung-Yun Kang, Jong-Pan Kong, Myeong-Hwan Oh, Hyeon-Jeong Shin, Seung-Taik Oh
  • Patent number: 8742287
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to apparatuses for sealing the tips of pump-out tubes of vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units, and/or associated methods. In certain example embodiments, a laser source used in sealing the pump-out tube is thermally insulated from the VIG unit and emits a laser beam through one or more windows in an oven towards a mirror located therein. The mirror is located so as to redirect the laser beam onto the pump-out tube to thereby seal it. For instance, a substantially horizontal laser beam emitted from a laser source located outside the oven enters into the oven through one or more windows and is reflected by a mirror towards the pump-out tube to be sealed. The repositioning of the laser source advantageously can change its effective focal length and/or the location of the laser beam, e.g., because of the fixed location of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Ryan L. Dear
  • Publication number: 20140144024
    Abstract: A method of welding two sheet-like work pieces, such as a web and a belt of a vehicle suspension control arm, is provided. The method includes the step of positioning one of the sheet-like work pieces against and at an angle relative to the other work piece such that the first and second work pieces are in contact with one another by a generally flat contact surface. The method continues with the step of melting with a single welding process material of the first and second work pieces across the entire width of the contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: James R. Byrne, II
  • Publication number: 20140144893
    Abstract: Methods for welding a joint are disclosed herein. One example of the method involves welding the joint between two workpieces. Energy is focused onto the joint to weld the joint. The focus of the energy moves relative to the joint. A vaporized material is displaced from a keyhole created by the welding. The vaporized material is vaporized by the energy. A pool of molten material is formed adjacent the keyhole during operation of the energy at the joint. The pool of molten material is manipulated by displacing a portion of the molten material from a near end of the pool and from lateral sides of the pool to a far end of the pool. The far end of the pool is distal to the near end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: David Yang
  • Publication number: 20140144890
    Abstract: A method for connecting different types of metallic joining partners using a radiation source, the two joining partners, having a different melting temperature, at least indirectly making contact lying against each other in the region of a joining zone, and the radiation source introducing its radiation energy into the one joining partner in a region next to the joining zone. It is provided that, because of the radiation source in the joining zone only the joining partner having a lower melting temperature is melted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sonja Dudziak, Reiner Ramsayer, Christoph Bantel, Eugen Hilz
  • Patent number: 8732944
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of fabricating stimulation leads, the method comprises: providing a spool of polymer film; providing a plurality of payout carriers of wires; drawing the polymer film from the spool and the wires from the plurality of payout carriers over a rotating drum, wherein the drum comprises a plurality of grooves over an outer circumferential surface of the drum for directing the wires from the plurality of payout carriers, wherein a distance of each groove from an edge of the drum is varied about the circumference of the drum; bonding the wires to the polymer film while performing the drawing to form an intermediate assembly comprising the polymer film as a carrier with the bonded wires in a repeating pattern along a length of the intermediate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Homar Cisneros
  • Patent number: 8735769
    Abstract: A laser processing head in accordance with the present invention comprises: a laser emitting unit for irradiating a workpiece with a laser light; and a powder feeder disposed around a periphery of the laser emitting unit for discharging filler material powder to the workpiece, in which the powder feeder includes: a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position where the powder concentrates; and a powder concentration diameter adjustment mechanism for adjusting a diameter of the filler material powder. The laser processing head further comprises a controller for controlling the position adjustment mechanism and the powder concentration diameter adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Miyagi, Takeshi Tsukamoto, Hirotsugu Kawanaka
  • Publication number: 20140137977
    Abstract: The invention describes a device and method for making corrugated products. The device can be used with any substrate and includes, at least, first and second drive rollers for driving a middle substrate and a single wall corrugated product. In other embodiments the invention includes upper drive rollers, lower drive rollers and middle drive rollers for driving an upper substrate, a lower substrate and a middle substrate. The middle substrate is driven between the upper and lower substrates at a higher velocity to form flutes that are anchored between the upper an lower substrates thereby forming a corrugated product. The invention also provides for customized corrugated products having multiple fluted substrates in various desirable arrangements. Examples of such products include mattresses, partition panels, other furniture, construction products such as tubes or pipes previously made from metals or concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: BJ2, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Cik
  • Publication number: 20140140835
    Abstract: A slurry pump component includes a base member with a cladding surface. The cladding surface includes a brazing alloy inner layer, a ductile intermediate layer and a wear resistant outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Justin Curtis Embrey, Daniel Herbert Gerke, M. Brad Beardsley, Ondrej Racek
  • Publication number: 20140140882
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by additive layer manufacturing. The method includes providing layers of material in powder form on a support inside a chamber, and irradiating each layer with a beam before providing the subsequent layer. A gas atmosphere is maintained inside the chamber during the irradiation steps. The pressure and/or the composition of the gas atmosphere is controlled where at least two different gas atmospheres having different predetermined pressures and/or compositions are inside the chamber during irradiation of the layers, the beam spot size on the layers is controlled such that at least two different beam spot sizes are utilized during irradiation, and/or the temperature of the gas atmosphere inside the chamber and/or of the layer being irradiated is controlled such that at least two different temperatures of the gas atmosphere and/or of the layer being irradiated are present during irradiation of the layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Freerk Syassen
  • Patent number: 8729424
    Abstract: A method of welding a joint includes directing a first output from a high energy density heat source, such as a laser, against a first side of the joint. The method further includes directing a second output from an arc welding heat source, such as a gas metal arc welding torch, against a second side of the joint. The first output produces a keyhole surrounded by a molten metal pool which extends from the first side of the joint toward the second side of the joint. In some embodiments a third output from a second arc welding heat source may also be directed at the first side of the joint. A second molten metal pool produced by the arc welding heat source joins with the first molten metal pool and the third molten metal pool to form a common molten metal pool which solidifies to form the weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The ESAB Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dechao Lin
  • Publication number: 20140132374
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drift tube manufacturing method and a drift tube which can reduce cost while securing an adequate level of particle beam focusing performance. The method includes: a magnet housing stage of housing a predetermined number of permanent magnets in a housing, which has a through-hole at a center part and an annular magnet housing space on an outer circumferential side of the through-hole, from an opening part of the magnet housing space into the magnet housing space; a welding stage of setting a lid for covering the opening part on the opening part, and welding the lid and the housing by laser beam welding. At least a surface of the housing and a surface of the lid are formed of copper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori OKIHIRA, Kyusaku HIGA, Fumiaki INOUE
  • Publication number: 20140125090
    Abstract: Method for producing a vehicle component, in particular a motor vehicle component, in particular a B-pillar, including providing a first aluminum alloy and a second aluminum alloy. The second alloy composition substantially matches the first aluminum alloy composition. Performing a heat-treatment of the first alloy to increase the ductility of the first alloy. Performing a heat-treatment of the second alloy. The heat-treatment of the first alloy differing from the heat-treatment of the second alloy. Welding together the heat-treated first alloy and the heat-treated second alloy to obtain a composite part. Shaping the composite parts into a motor vehicle component. The motor vehicle component sub-region of the first alloy can be designed as a predetermined deformation region when a force is applied due to an accident to achieve a good combination of rigid regions for example forming a safety cell, and deformable regions forming a crumple zone for absorbing energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: ALERIS ROLLED PRODUCTS GERMANY GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Braunschweig
  • Publication number: 20140127530
    Abstract: The present invention relates to dispersion strengthened platinum-base alloys, and more particularly to a method for welding of these alloys and is based on the object of providing an improved process for connecting oxide-dispersed precious metal sheets and a device for carrying out this process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Rudolf Singer, Stefan Zeuner, Bernd Weber, Joerg Kopatz
  • Publication number: 20140124481
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laser welded steel pipe by forming a steel strip into a cylindrical open pipe and performing laser welding on edges that includes: emitting two laser beams along the edges from an upper surface side of the open pipe, the two laser beams being transmitted through different optical fibers with in-focus spot diameters exceeding 0.3 mm; emitting leading and trailing laser beams each inclined toward a direction in which welding proceeds at an incident angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the open pipe; setting the incident angle of the leading laser beam to be larger than the incident angle of the trailing laser beam; and setting a gap between a center point of the leading laser beam and a center point of the trailing laser beam on a back surface of the open pipe to 1 mm or larger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yano, Hiroyuki Sumi, Kenji Oi
  • Publication number: 20140124489
    Abstract: A hybrid welding method of laser welding and arc welding for a T-joint in which a rib as one member to be welded abuts orthogonally onto a surface of a flange as other member to be welded includes forming a groove portion on a lateral surface of the rib that is an abutting part between the rib and the flange forming the T-joint; forming a flat part at a bottom part of the groove portion formed in the abutting part between the rib and the flange; and performing a hybrid welding using both laser welding in which the groove portion A with this flat part therein is irradiated with a laser beam, and arc welding, to form weld beads of weld metal in the groove portion A, so that welding together the flange and the rib forming the T-joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Xudong Zhang, Eiji Ashida, Shoh Tarasawa, Yukihiro Soga
  • Publication number: 20140124488
    Abstract: A method of laser welding is disclosed. The method may be performed after an upper steel plate and a lower steel plate are overlapped. The method may include: forming a molten pool at the upper steel plate and the lower steel plate and welding the upper steel plate and the lower steel plate by irradiating a laser beam of focal region to a welding portion of the upper steel plate and the lower steel plate along a main welding pattern; and melting a peripheral portion of a keyhole formed at an end of the main welding pattern and welding the upper steel plate and the lower steel plate by irradiating the laser beam of the focal region along a fine welding pattern added to an end portion of the main welding pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: SUNGWOO HITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mun Yong LEE, Byung-Sun Song
  • Publication number: 20140126167
    Abstract: A new packaging method for a wide range of MEMS for application on both the wafer and device scale. Titanium is used as the packaging material and both silicon and titanium MEMS devices are integrated on to a titanium substrate. A Nd:YAG pulsed laser is used to micro-weld the titanium cap to the substrate. A three-dimensional time dependent model of heat flow during laser beam welding is presented. The heat transfer and parametric design capabilities of COMSOL were employed for this purpose. Model calculations are compared and calibrated with experimental results of pulsed laser welds. The functionality and hermiticity of the proposed packaging was evaluated by packaging a self actuated Veeco Instrument AFM cantilever tip. The experimental measurements show that the resonance frequency and quality factor of the device stay the same before and after packaging and the applied technique has no effect on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Payam Bozorgi, Noel C. MacDonald
  • 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: 8716622
    Abstract: A laser welding apparatus and method reproduces a welding state substantially identical to an actual operation of a robot at a manufacturing site even when an operating speed of the robot is changed. When a moving speed of the robot is, for example, 50% of an override ratio, a welding point speed, which is a resultant speed of a focus moving speed of the laser beam by movement of the robot having a scanner head and the focus moving speed of the laser beam by rotation of the laser scanning mirror, becomes identical to that when an override ratio is 100%. This is achieved by increasing a rotating speed of a laser scanning mirror within the scanner head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Yoshikawa, Gakushi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8716623
    Abstract: A method of closing off a mold plug opening in a turbine component includes the steps of inserting a weld member into an opening to be closed, and to abut a necked portion within a passage leading from the opening. Heat is applied to the weld member, such that a surface of the weld member in contact with the necked portion liquefies, and such that the weld member adheres to the necked portion, closing off the opening. The weld member and application of heat are selected such that the entirety of the weld member does not liquefy, but remains in the opening, without ever having liquefied. A turbine component formed by the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Lutjen, Kevin J. Ryan, Paul S. Bean, Paul C. McClay
  • Patent number: 8715772
    Abstract: A process for the thermal deposition coating of a workpiece is provided that comprises the steps of: thermally depositing a coating on a metallic surface of a workpiece from a deposition head wherein at least one condition selected from the group of: coating deposition rate onto said surface, relative motion between the surface and said deposition head, and cryogenic coolant application rate onto said workpiece is controllable; substantially simultaneously measuring temperatures at a plurality of locations over the metallic surface of the workpiece; determining an average temperature of the temperatures measured in step (b); comparing the average temperature to a preselected minimum temperature and a preselected maximum temperature for the workpiece; and adjusting at least one of the controllable conditions if said average temperature is not between the preselected minimum temperature and the preselected maximum temperature for the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Zbigniew Zurecki
  • Publication number: 20140117800
    Abstract: A laser-welded joint structure between insulation frame and bearing cup of fan includes a base having a bearing cup and a stator having at least one insulation frame. The insulation frame includes a sleeve portion defining a bore axially extending therethrough. The sleeve portion is provided on an inner wall surface with at least one pressing section that radially projects into the bore to press a lower side against an upper end of the bearing cup and a bearing received therein. A portion of at least one lateral side of each pressing section that is in contact with the upper end of the bearing cup is melted by laser beam to form a laser-welded joint, so that the insulation frame and the bearing cup are integrally connected together at reduced manufacturing cost and have increased structural strength. A method of forming the laser-welded joint structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bor-Haw Chang, Ping-Tsang Ho, Chin-Sung Pan, Feng Liu
  • Publication number: 20140119042
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicular lamp in which a thermal strain in a welding portion of a lamp body and a front cover is suppressed and a thermal deformation during welding is suppressed and a method of manufacturing the same. The vehicular lamp includes a lamp housing configured by a lamp body and a front cover which is welded to the lamp body and has a front surface exposed to the outside. In the lamp body, a light absorption material is contained. In the front cover, a light absorption material is contained at least in a region including a welding portion. This light absorption material of the front cover has a lower heating effect than that of the lamp body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji SAGESAKA, Michihiko SUZUKI
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8710399
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for producing a connection grid with an integrated fuse. The device includes a means for supporting the connection grid, a laser head, and a nozzle for supplying fuse wire. The means for supporting the connection grid is a support having a housing that is suitable for receiving a portion of the fuse in the space formed between two symmetrical arms of the connection grid. The support having an overall shape of a hollow half-cylinder, by a curved base and two lateral ribs standing on the base, and an upper surface of which is turned down by chamfering of the housing side. The laser head and nozzle are mechanically connected to a system of robotized shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics France SAS
    Inventor: Alain Bednarek
  • Publication number: 20140113185
    Abstract: An electricity storage device includes an electricity storage element that is constituted by an electrode body in a positive side and an electrode body in a negative side that face each other while holding a separator; a sealing member that seals a case member accommodating the electricity storage element; at least one electrode protrusion that is either of the electrode bodies, which protrudes from an element end-face of the electricity storage element, at least one current collector plate that is connected to the electrode protrusion; and a terminal member that is installed in the sealing member, a lateral face of the terminal member being connected to a lateral face of the current collector plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: NIPPON CHEMI-CON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Mori, Tatsuo Kubouchi, Takashi Nawano, Akihiro Furusawa
  • Patent number: 8704126
    Abstract: A laser beam machining apparatus includes laser beam irradiation unit for irradiating a wafer held on a chuck table with a laser beam, and control unit. The laser beam irradiation unit includes a laser beam oscillator for oscillating a laser beam with such a wavelength as to be transmitted through said wafer, repetition frequency setting section for setting a repetition frequency of pulses in the laser beam oscillated from the laser beam oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8704123
    Abstract: A method of creating a positive substance joint between components (1,2) involves the provisioning of the components (1, 2) and placing them at a joining position in relation to one another such that they contact at least one joining point or are kept apart by a narrow joining gap. The components (1, 2) feature a locating device that forces the components (1, 2) to fit and interlock in their relative position at the joining point. The components (1, 2) are then joined by a positive substance joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hella KGAA
    Inventor: Steffen Rosenkranz
  • Patent number: 8704124
    Abstract: A load-bearing medical implant is disclosed that includes a load-bearing structure with a cavity extending into the outer surface of the structure. The cavity accommodates a sensor that is held in a fixed position within the cavity by an encapsulant. The cavity is covered by a plate that is welded over the cavity in close proximity to the sensor and encapsulant to provide a seal over the cavity and the electronic component without causing thermal damage to the encapsulant or sensor despite the close proximity of the encapsulant and sensor to the welded areas of the plate and structure. Methods for encapsulating the sensor in the cavity, methods for encapsulating a wire bus leading from the sensor through a channel in the implant and methods for pulsed laser welding of weld plate over the sensor and encapsulant with thermal damage to either are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren James Wilson, Nicholas S. Ritchey, Stephen James Guy Taylor
  • 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: 20140100117
    Abstract: A method for producing a superconducting wire (10), wherein an internal wire (1), which contains superconducting filaments (4), is provided with a normally conducting stabilizing structure (9), is characterized in that, in a continuous or quasi-continuous process, one or more sheath elements (2; 2a, 2b) are shaped and/or placed around the internal wire (9), so that the entire circumference of the internal wire (1) is enclosed by one or more sheath elements (2; 2a, 2b), and all seams (6; 6a, 6b; 16; 16a, 16b) of sheath element ends (5a-5d; 15a-15d) facing each other are soldered and/or welded. A method for producing a superconducting wire is thereby provided, which restricts the cross section of the superconducting wire to a lesser extent and which permits the use of lead-free solder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Burkhard Prause, Manfred Thoener, Andreas Szulczyk
  • 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: 8692152
    Abstract: A laser lap welding method, for a galvanized steel sheet, includes preparing two steel sheets in lap configuration, at least one of which is the galvanized steel sheet, so that a galvanized layer thereof is located at an interface of the steel sheets; and irradiating a surface of any one of the two steel sheets in an overlapped region with a laser to perform lap welding. The welding is performed by applying the laser to travel at a predetermined power density and at a predetermined traveling velocity so as to partially and temporarily form an elongated hole in a molten pool extending backward from a laser irradiation spot at least in the steel sheet on the surface side, whereby metal vapor produced by laser irradiation is vented through the elongated hole backward in a laser traveling direction and in a laser irradiation source side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Katayama, Yosuke Kawahito
  • Publication number: 20140093365
    Abstract: A process of fabricating a shield, a process of preparing a component, and an erosion shield are disclosed. The process of fabricating the shield includes forming a near-net shape shield. The near-net shape shield includes a nickel-based layer and an erosion-resistant alloy layer. The nickel-based layer is configured to facilitate secure attachment of the near-net shaped to a component. The process of preparing the component includes securing a near-net shape shield to a substrate of a component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Theodore William FANDREI, II
  • Publication number: 20140094835
    Abstract: An infusion flow guidewire and a system including an infusion flow guidewire. The minimal cross section flexible infusion flow guidewire includes a nitinol hypotube, a flexible tip having a closed distal end, a coil, a core wire and at least one distally located rearwardly directed jet orifice for infusion of fibrinolytics and for introduction of high pressure fluids for maceration and rearwardly directed flow of thrombus debris located in tortuous small sized vessels. Apparatus, some of which is removably attachable, is provided in the system for grasping members of the invention for rotational torqueing and for longitudinal actuation along and within the vasculature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: MEDRAD, Inc.
    Inventors: John Riles, Douglas J. Ball, Michael J. Bonnette, Eric J. Thor, John L. Teschendorf, Hieu V. Le