Methods Patents (Class 219/121.64)
  • Patent number: 8866041
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: TDK Corporation, Rohm Co., Ltd, SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Shimazawa, Osamu Shindo, Yoshihiro Tsuchiya, Yasuhiro Ito, Kenji Sakai
  • Publication number: 20140308549
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a battery having a plurality of current collector tabs extended from a plurality of points of a current collector of at least one electrode of a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The battery further has a lid and a lead. The lead has a current collector tab junctional part connected with the current collector tabs, a lid junctional part fixed to the lid, and a vibration absorber part linking the current collector tab junctional part to the lid junctional part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toshifumi SHIMIZU, Kengo Kurata, Natsuki Toyota, Eiki Kashiwazaki
  • Publication number: 20140305916
    Abstract: A method of processing a plate-shaped workpiece includes: a positioning step of mounting the plate-shaped workpiece on a support plate; a joining step of irradiating an outer peripheral portion of the plate-shaped workpiece mounted on the support plate with a laser beam to form a fusion bond region where the plate-shaped workpiece is fusion-bonded to the support plate at the outer peripheral portion of the plate-shaped workpiece, thereby fixing the plate-shaped workpiece onto the support plate; and a processing step of processing the plate-shaped workpiece after the joining step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Frank Wei
  • Patent number: 8857021
    Abstract: An ink jet print head can be formed using a laser to melt a plating layer interposed between a piezoelectric actuator and a circuit layer bump. The plating layer can be formed on the circuit layer bump, the piezoelectric actuator, or both, and a laser beam output by the laser is used to melt the plating layer to provide a laser weld. In another embodiment, the circuit layer bump or the trace itself functions as the plating layer, which is melted using a laser to provide the laser weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley James Gerner, Peter J. Nystrom, Bryan R. Dolan
  • Publication number: 20140299581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for welding rotors for power generation such as gas turbines, steam turbines, and generators having a plurality of rotor discs arranged along a rotor axis. The method includes providing said discs with a weld seam preparation. The weld seam preparation includes a root, a first, gap-like welding section adjoining the root in radial direction, and a second, gap-like welding section adjoining the first welding section in radial direction. The method further includes melting the root by means of a first welding process; making a weld in the first welding section by means of a second welding process; and filling up the second welding section by means of a third welding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Sorin KELLER, Werner Martin Balbach, Claus Paul Gerdes
  • Publication number: 20140302340
    Abstract: A sheet metal component bent from a sheet metal blank having a triangular corner comprises a first and a second sheet metal member bent along bending lines from a base member to form two edges of the triangular corner. Two outer edges are weldable to each other to form a third edge. A recess extends into the base member, formed by a curved and/or polygonal first and second edge which protrudes towards the first edge. The second edge extends with a projection beyond a straight line defined by the bending line of the first sheet metal member. A projection tip is spaced from the first edge at least by a thickness of the sheet metal. When the sheet metal members are bent the projection is surrounded by the first edge and the recess is at least substantially closed by the projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Joerg Heusel
  • Patent number: 8853924
    Abstract: A spark ignition device, metal shell, and methods of construction are provided. The spark ignition device has a ceramic insulator extending along a longitudinal axis and a metal shell. The metal shell extends along the longitudinal axis to a distal end. A center electrode is received in the ceramic insulator and extends along the longitudinal axis. A ground electrode has an attachment end fixed by a weld joint to the distal end of the shell and a free end extending from the distal end to provide a spark gap. The weld joint includes a resistance weld joint and a laser weld joint, which in combination inhibit material expulsion; provide a reliable, strong attachment of the ground electrode to the shell; provide an improved heat transfer path between the ground electrode and the shell, and facilitate repeatable and accurate positioning of the ground electrode to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition Company
    Inventor: Frederick J. Quitmeyer
  • Patent number: 8853594
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dechao Lin, Jamison William Janawitz, David Vincent Bucci, Matthew James O'Connell, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Ronald Lee Souther
  • Publication number: 20140291304
    Abstract: A system and method for precision welding using a fiber laser is disclosed in which varying intensity laser pulses are spread across the material junction in a number of high aspect ratio areas. The power density applied along each area is varied to accommodate differences in the material characteristics of each material while allowing for the creation of a more uniform weld pool alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Photon Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Photon Automation, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140294490
    Abstract: A welding process, welding system and welded article are disclosed. The welding process includes directing energy from one or more fusion beams to join a first element to a second element and to join the first element to a third element. The directing of the energy is at a first lateral angle and a second lateral angle with respect to the first element. The welding system includes an energy emitting device, a first fusion beam and a second fusion beam. The first fusion beam and the second fusion beam are oriented to extend diagonally through an article. The laser welded article includes the first element joined to the second element, and the first element joined to the third element. A fillet weld is formed in a first inaccessible portion between the first element and the second element and a second inaccessible portion between the first element and the third element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dechao LIN, Zhaoli HU, Brian Lee TOLLISON
  • Publication number: 20140291033
    Abstract: A downhole tool and method for manufacturing such downhole tool. The downhole tool includes a bit body having a blank and a matrix bonded to and surrounding the blank, a shank having a threaded connection at one end, and a butt joint formed within a gap formed between the blank and the shank and coupling the blank to the shank. The blank includes a first planar surface while the shank includes a second planar surface opposite the one end. The butt joint is formed between the first and second planar surfaces when positioned adjacent to one another, wherein the first planar surface is positioned external to the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: VAREL INTERNATIONAL IND., L.P.
    Inventors: Marvin Windsor Amundsen, Charles Daniel Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140291301
    Abstract: A welding method for an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint includes constructing a cup section having track grooves, which engage with torque transmitting elements, formed along an inner periphery thereof and a shaft section that is formed on a bottom portion of the cup section by two or more separate members, joining a cup member forming the cup section and a shaft member forming the shaft section, and melt-welding end portions of the cup member and the shaft member. The cup member and the shaft member are shaped so that a sealed hollow cavity portion is formed when the end portions of the cup member and the shaft member are brought into abutment against each other, the melt-welding of the end portions being performed when the sealed hollow cavity portion is under atmospheric pressure or lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Tosaji, Naoki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8847098
    Abstract: Devices and methods are contemplated in which a first electrode is circumferentially movable about a second electrode such that a tubular work piece can be resistance welded to a second work piece. Most preferably, the first electrode is a wheel-shaped electrode, while the second electrode is static and disk-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Thermal Structures, Inc.
    Inventor: Vaughn V. Barnes
  • Patent number: 8847106
    Abstract: A welding method in which the power is controlled in accordance with the temperature of the welding point is provided. The temperature of the welding point is lowered in a controlled manner at the end of the method and the temperature of this welding point is measured by a temperature measuring appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Burbaum, Selim Mokadem, Norbert Pirch
  • Publication number: 20140284313
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: JAMES D. ALLEN, IV, KIM V. BRANDT, MONTE S. FRY, KEIR HART, DANIEL A. JOSEPH, PETER M. MUELLER, JEFFREY R. UNGER
  • Publication number: 20140284402
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an injector having an extrusion coating, including the following steps: providing an injection module, pushing a disk-shaped alignment element onto a part of the injection module, the alignment element having a slot in order to have sufficient flexibility, welding the alignment element onto the part of the injection module, at least part of the slot also being welded shut at the same time during the welding-on step in order to stiffen the alignment element, and molding the extrusion coating onto the injection module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Martin Scheffel, Axel Bormann, Sebastian Wieschollek
  • Patent number: 8841577
    Abstract: A laser lap welding method for parts made of galvanized steel sheet includes steps of press-forming two parts from galvanized steel sheet such that the two parts include elongated joining regions to be welded together on mutually opposed surfaces thereof and a plurality of protrusions are formed on at least any one of the joining regions of the two parts at predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction of the joining region; retaining the two parts in a state in which the joining regions are overlapped one on the other such that a gap according to a height of the protrusions is formed between the joining regions; and irradiating a laser onto one surface of the overlapped joining regions of the two parts such that the overlapped joining regions are fused and welded by energy of the laser, and zinc gas produced with fusing is discharged through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Takahashi, Tsukasa Hagihara
  • Patent number: 8841590
    Abstract: An article of cookware in the form of a cooking vessel exposes only a portion of a copper inner layer on the upper portion of the exterior sidewall. The layer does not change color or tarnish as it sufficiently distal from the bottom of the cooking vessel that it is not subject to direct heat and oxidation during normal use. The unique bright color of the native copper is further protected from tarnish caused by fingerprint by a protective coating that can withstand moderate heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Meyer Intellectual Properties Limited
    Inventor: Stanley Kin Sui Cheng
  • Patent number: 8841576
    Abstract: A method for producing a metal sheet with a welded-on tube which has at least partially curved sections, wherein the tube is guided by at least one guide element onto the sheet, is pressed thereon with at least one pressure element and is welded thereto at least at some points and wherein the tube is bent to form the curved sections. In order to achieve the welding-on in a simple manner even in the curved sections, it is provided that a bending is carried out in a plurality of discrete steps, wherein in individual steps firstly the tube with the at least one guide element is bent around a last created welding point and thereafter a new welding point is created. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: DTEC GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Dietl, Arnold Teufel
  • Publication number: 20140263210
    Abstract: A manufacturing method in which laser welding is used to weld multiple posts of a protection structure with multiple splits of the silicon steel sheet assembly of a stator module. The manufacturing method has high welding precision and excellent sealing effect. Also, the welding time is shortened and the thermal deformation is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bor-Haw Chang, Shu-Fan Liu, Kuo-Chen Chang
  • Publication number: 20140270922
    Abstract: A welded blank assembly includes a capping material in a weld region of the assembly. The capping material can help protect a weld joint joining first and second sheet metal pieces together. At least one of the sheet metal pieces has a coating material layer that is removed prior to forming the weld joint so that the coating material does not contaminate the weld joint. The removed coating material can be collected before the weld joint is formed and reapplied as part of the capping material after the weld joint is formed, effectively changing the coating material from a potential weld contaminant to a weld joint protectant. The capping material may also include additional material from a source other than the coating material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: James J. Evangelista, Michael Telenko, Jason E. Harfoot, Jack A. Atkinson, James W. Walther, Anthony M. Parente
  • Publication number: 20140265030
    Abstract: Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Insera Therapeutics, Inc
    Inventors: Vallabh Janardhan, Vikram Janardhan
  • Patent number: 8835805
    Abstract: The invention provides a simple and inexpensive method to assemble nanomaterials into millimeter lengths. The method can be used to generate optical, sensing, electronic, magnetic and or catalytic materials. Also provided is a substrate comprised of fused nanoparticles. The invention also provides a diode comprised of assembled nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Bahns, Liaohai Chen, Stephen K. Gray, Subramanian Sankaranarayanan
  • Patent number: 8835802
    Abstract: A method of creating thin wafers of single crystal silicon wherein an ingot of single-crystal silicon with a (111) axis is flattened and polished at one end normal to the axis, and a notch with a vertex in the (111) plane is produced on a side or edge of the ingot, such that the distance between this vertex and said end is the desired thickness of a wafer to be cleaved from the ingot and such this vertex is in the desired plane of cleavage. Light of a wavelength able to penetrate into the silicon crystal without significant absorption, when the intensity of the beam is low, but is efficiently absorbed and converted to heat when the intensity of the beam is high, is focused to an elongated volume with an axis of elongation in the desired cleavage plane, parallel to and a short distance from said notch edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen C. Baer
  • Patent number: 8835799
    Abstract: A method of forming a wire includes providing a first wire segment and a second wire segment. The first and second wire segments are inserted into opposite ends of a coupling segment. The coupling segment is laser welded such that the laser creates an indent in the coupling segment that penetrates into at least one of the first and second wire segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Todd W. Slininger, John W. Warling
  • Publication number: 20140254124
    Abstract: Presented herein are stud bump bonding techniques for electrically connecting an elongate conductor, such as a wire or pin, to a bonding pad. A plurality of stud bumps are bonded to a surface of a bonding pad and an elongate electrical conductor is positioned in proximity to the plurality of stud bumps. The elongate conductor is bonded to one or more of the stud bumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Milind Raje, Robert Bennett, Andrew Mudie, Gary Mark Ignacio
  • Publication number: 20140251960
    Abstract: A method of welding a fuel rod includes the following steps. An end plug and a cladding tube of the fuel rod are brought together to abut each other, and welded by applying a laser beam directed to a welding zone to melt material of the end plug and the cladding tube. The welding is sensed by sensing radiation within a first wavelength range, which includes the wavelength of the laser beam coming from reflections from the welding zone, sensing radiation within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, which includes infrared radiation from melted material, and sensing radiation within a third wavelength range different from the first and second wavelength ranges, which includes radiation from plasma. The welding and melting of material is monitored by monitoring the sensed radiations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC SWEDEN AB
    Inventors: Sten Borell, Tomas Rostvall
  • Patent number: 8826525
    Abstract: A coaxial connector for interconnection with a coaxial cable with a solid outer conductor by laser welding is provided with a monolithic connector body with a bore. A sidewall of the bore is provided with an inward annular projection angled toward a cable end of the bore. A sidewall of the inward annular projection and the sidewall of the bore form an annular laser groove open to a cable end of the bore. The annular laser groove is dimensioned with a taper at a connector end of the laser groove less than a thickness of a leading end of the outer conductor. The taper provides an annular material chamber between the leading end of the outer conductor, when seated in the laser groove, and the connector end of the laser groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Ronald A. Vaccaro, Kendrick Van Swearingen, James J. Wlos, James P. Fleming, Nahid Islam
  • Patent number: 8829388
    Abstract: A method for contactless laser welding of a plurality of sheets of material stacked upon one another includes simultaneously delivering a laser beam and a stream of fluid through a laser head and further through an end cap which is removably mounted to the laser head. The end cap is configured with a stationary cylinder, which is coupled to the laser head, and a piston movable relative the cylinder. The piston moves in response to a pressure differential generated by the fluid in chambers above and below the piston. Once the pressure equilibrium is reached between the chambers, the pressure in the chamber below the piston is sufficient to reliably press the sheets of material against one another during a laser welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: IPG Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Samartsev, Vladimir Antonenko, Leonid Pudov
  • Publication number: 20140248077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a lateral offset of an actual weld seam configuration relative to a desired weld seam configuration, in particular in the motor vehicle sector, comprising the following steps: a) providing at least a first structural part having a geometric deviation in the region of the desired weld seam configuration; b) guiding a laser beam along the first structural part to produce a weld seam, forming a melt pool, thereby producing the actual weld seam configuration; and c) detecting a reflection from the melt pool simultaneously with step b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Brose Fahzeugteile GmbH Co. Kommanditgesellscaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Torsten Seidel, Christof Bladowski
  • Publication number: 20140246272
    Abstract: A method for producing a fork arm (18) for load-carrying devices, said fork comprising a fork blade (5) which is substantially horizontal in the operating position, and a substantially vertical fork back (20) that connects via a fork bend (19) to said fork blade and is provided with connection elements (2, 3) for the conveying device, wherein the fork arm consists of a plurality of parts (1; 2, 4, 8, 9, 11; 18?, 12 to 17) that are connected to one another, at least a number of said parts are welded to one another, and parts (1; 2, 4, 8, 9, 11; 18?, 12 to 17) of the fork arm are welded to one another by electron beam welding and/or laser welding, wherein the weld penetrates planarly with a depth of at least 15 mm between adjoining surfaces of the parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventor: Philipp Szlezak
  • Patent number: 8822875
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser or welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Paul J. L. Webster, James M. Fraser, Victor X. D. Yang
  • Patent number: 8822881
    Abstract: A fiber optic device for enabling soldering is described. The fiber optic device includes an entry portion comprising an optical fiber bundle for receiving a single light beam wherein the optical fiber bundle splits the light beam into a plurality of separate portions, each of the separate portions for enabling soldering. The fiber optic device further includes an exit portion for emitting each of the plurality of separate portions of the light beam in a pattern to enable soldering at a plurality of locations simultaneously utilizing the single light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Xiangyang Feng
  • Publication number: 20140239693
    Abstract: A vehicle seat and seat back adjustment mechanism are disclosed that provide for adjusting the angle of inclination of a seat back relative to a seat base and also permit easy entry to the area behind the seat by allowing the seat back to be released to move between an adjusted angle of inclination and a position in which the seat back is folded over the seat base. The adjustment mechanism includes at least one comfort tilt recliner mechanism and one easy entry recliner mechanism that are joined via a first interface and a second interface face each, respectively, located on the outer surfaces of the facing plates of the two mechanisms by a radial laser welding process, such that the mechanisms may be coaxially attached to the vehicle seat to permit the seat back to pivot about a single axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Eckhard Nock, Johannes Barzen, Norbert Hertling
  • Patent number: 8813360
    Abstract: In a method for beam welding on components with a laser beam or electron beam generated by a beam source, the heat treatment of the welded component required to remove stresses is integrated into the welding process. In a work cycle combined with the welding process, a regulated heat supply to a selected region takes place, according to its residual heat resulting from the welding process and the predicted stresses in that region, using the residual heat remaining from the welding process following the welding process from the same or other beam source(s). The welding region is cooled in a controlled manner, so that welded components which are likely to be subject to high stress in use, provided for example for a aircraft engine, can be made available without inherent stresses and with the desired microstructure in a single—combined—work step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce PLC, Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Daniel Clark, Claudia Berkenhoff, Claus T Haubold
  • Patent number: 8816242
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an implantable pulse generator for generating electrical pulses for application to tissue of a patient, the method comprises: providing one or more housing components adapted to house at least pulse generating and switching circuitry of the implantable pulse generator; providing a feedthrough assembly adapted to be coupled with the one or more housing components, the feedthrough assembly comprising an array of feedthrough pins for providing respective electrical connections from a hermetically sealed enclosure formed within the one or more housing components to a location exterior to the enclosure; providing a plurality of welding components with each welding component comprising a first portion adapted to engage a respective feedthrough pin and a second portion for engaging a conductor wire; performing one or more weld operations for each welding component to connect each welding component with a respective feedthrough pin and a respective conductor wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken McGiboney
  • Publication number: 20140231021
    Abstract: Methods and systems for three dimensional large area welding and sealing of optically transparent materials are disclosed, including generating a beam of ultra-short pulses from an ultra-short pulsed laser; directing the beam to an acoustic-optic modulator to control the repetition rate of the beam; directing the beam to an attenuator after passing through the acoustic-optic modulator to control the energy of the beam; directing the beam to a focusing lens after passing through the attenuator to focus the beam between a top substrate and a bottom substrate in order to weld the top substrate to the bottom substrate, wherein the top substrate and the bottom substrate are in intimate contact; and controlling the position of the top substrate and the bottom substrate relative to the beam using a three-axis stage in order to weld the top substrate to the bottom substrate at different points. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: POLARONYX, INC.
    Inventors: Jian Liu, Huan Huang
  • Publication number: 20140231395
    Abstract: A method for joint-welding coated metal sheets in a butt joint. At least one pulverulent welding additive in the form of a gas-powder flow is added to the weld melt via at least one flow duct such that the gas-powder flow leaving the flow duct is directed towards the weld melt at a speed of at least 2 m/s, such that the welding additive mixes turbulently with the weld melt and flow eddies form in the weld melt. A device including at least one welding head for producing and/or focussing an energy beam and at least one flow duct for supplying gas-powder flow, the flow duct having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis and the beam axis of the energy beam being at an angle between 15 and 75 degrees. The flow duct is adapted to set the gas powder flow to a speed of at least 2 m/s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Max Brandt, Arndt Breuer, Robert Vollmer, Ralf Kolleck
  • Publication number: 20140224243
    Abstract: The application relates to a method (100) for producing a direct flow aluminium absorber of a solar thermal collector, the absorber including an absorber plate having at least one tube for a heat transport fluid, and at least one end tube for a heat transport fluid, the at least one end tube being connected to the absorber plate. The method comprises laser welding (130) the at least one end tube to the absorber plate for producing the complete absorber to be coated by at least one layer configured to absorb light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SAVO-SOLAR OY
    Inventor: Kaj A Pischow
  • Publication number: 20140220380
    Abstract: A slide component, used in internal combustion engines, provided with a metal-based substrate material and a protective liner (R), with the slide component having at least two main elements, the first one composed by an element with high resistance to corrosion, and the second element providing increase of the resistance to wear and/or presenting lower friction than the substrate material, both of them covering at least one of the surfaces of the slide component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicants: MAHLE METAL LEVE S/A, MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: José Valentim Lima Sarabanda, Edmo Soares, Juliano Avelar Araujo
  • Publication number: 20140220377
    Abstract: A method of forming a bonded assembly (10). The method comprises: providing at least first and second parts (12, 14) of an assembly (10) to be bonded; assembling the first and second parts (12, 14) in a required relative position to define a bond interface region therebetween; sealing part way along an edge (18) of the bond interface region using laser beam welding to define a cavity between the first and second parts (12, 14); in a vacuum environment, sealing the remainder of the edge (20) of the bond interface region using electron beam welding to form a fluid tight seal around the cavity; and applying heat and pressure to an external surface of the cavity to diffusion bond the first and second parts (12, 14) together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: John Harold BOSWELL, Daniel CLARK, Charles Richard CARPENTER, Andrew Richard KENNEDY
  • Publication number: 20140211384
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device in which an inner space for housing a gyro element is formed between a base and a lid and the base and the lid are bonded includes bonding the base and the lid in which a groove is provided on a surface to be bonded with the base so that the inner space communicates with the outside by not bonding the inner surface of the groove to the base and to position the groove around a concave portion provided on a side surface of the base, and closing a communication portion by irradiating a laser beam to the lid in the communication portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya AOKI, Juichiro MATSUZAWA, Osamu KAWAUCHI, Masaru MIKAMI
  • Publication number: 20140209577
    Abstract: A metal cladding process utilizing a feed material (66) formed as a hollow sheath (68) containing a powdered core (70) including powdered metal and powdered flux material. The powdered metal and flux may have overlapping mesh size ranges. The sheath may be an extrudable subset of elements of a desired superalloy cladding material, with the powdered metal and powdered flux materials complementing the sheath to form the desired superalloy material when melted. The powdered metal may include an excess of titanium to compensate for a reaction of titanium with oxygen or carbon dioxide in a shielding gas. Heat for melting may be provided by an energy beam (64) or by utilizing the feed material as an electrode in a cold metal arc welding torch (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Gerald J. Bruck, Ahmed Kamel
  • Publication number: 20140209529
    Abstract: A fluid filter apparatus comprising an upper housing shell; a lower housing shell; a pleat pack element comprising a peripheral frame and a folded pleated media. The frame is at least partially molded over the media to secure the media in the frame, and the pleat pack is sandwiched between the upper and lower housing shells and a frame of the pleat pack forms a side of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: John G. Eleftherakis, Ibrahim Khalil, Conrad F. Alfaro
  • Publication number: 20140209576
    Abstract: A superalloy component, such as gas turbine blade or vane, is structurally welded by placing the component in an isolation chamber. Inert gas is introduced into the chamber. The substrate is welded in the chamber, creating a weld zone. Pressure is applied directly on the weld zone that is greater than atmospheric pressure. Application of such pressure increases the weld zone ductility and reduces likelihood of solidification cracking and strain age cracking, compared to weld zones formed at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments an isostatic pressure chamber is used to apply isostatic pressure on the weld zone. In other embodiments the welding is performed by laser welding or cladding, TIG welding electron beam welding or autogenous welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Kazim Ozbaysal, Zafir A. M. Abdo
  • Publication number: 20140203420
    Abstract: A method for producing a semiconductor device includes laser welding to bond an upper terminal and a lower terminal as internal wiring members of the semiconductor device. When the upper terminal is fixed to the lower terminal by the laser welding, a gap between an upper surface of the lower terminal and a lower surface of the upper terminal is equal to or more than 20 ?m and equal to or less than 400 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Miyasaka, Yuta Tamai
  • Publication number: 20140197139
    Abstract: By tilting a welding nozzle back and forth for depositing each successively applied weld layer, a very fine-grained structure is achieved in the multilayered buildup of material producing a directionally solidified structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bernd BURBAUM, Torsten JOKISCH
  • Publication number: 20140197142
    Abstract: An exemplary system and method for welding a piston assembly includes a piston assembly having a cooling gallery and a loose granulated medium positioned therein. The cooling gallery is formed by a piston body and a cooling gallery ring, and a welder such as a laser welder is positioned proximate the assembly to weld the piston body to the cooling gallery ring. During welding, the assembly is rotated and the loose granulated medium is caused to remain in a gravitationally low portion of the cooling gallery. The weld is formed in an area proximate the loose granulated medium such that weld spatter emitted during welding is emitted into the loose granulated medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Montgomery L. Wilder
  • 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