Of Cylinders (e.g., Pipes And Tubes) Patents (Class 219/59.1)
  • Publication number: 20040035830
    Abstract: A method for metallurgically attaching together two tubes. A first tube is obtained having a far wall portion with a first through hole and a near wall portion with a second through hole. A second tube is obtained including first and second outward folds. The tubes are positioned with the first fold passed through the second through hole and contacting the far wall portion surrounding the first through hole and with the second fold located outside the near wall portion. A first resistance welding current path is created proximate the first fold and the far wall portion and the first fold is relatively moved deformingly against the far wall portion creating a first weld zone. A second resistance welding current path is created proximate the second fold and the near wall portion and the second fold is relatively moved deformingly against the near wall portion creating a second weld zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra, Johnny R. Gentry
  • Publication number: 20040035833
    Abstract: A method for metallurgically joining a tube to a member. A tube having a flange is obtained, and a member is obtained. A welding/brazing electrode wheel is obtained having an axis of rotation and having a rim. The tube and the member are positioned with the flange contacting the member directly and/or indirectly through an intervening welding/brazing joining material. The rim of the electrode wheel is positioned in direct contact with the flange. A resistance welding/brazing current path is created through the flange and the member using at least the electrode wheel creating a seam weld/braze zone which includes at least some of the flange and at least some of the member. During the current path creation step, the electrode wheel is rotated about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra
  • Publication number: 20040035829
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tubular assembly. A first tube is obtained. A first tubular connector is obtained having a first and second end portions. The first end portion is metallurgically attached to the first tube. A tubular member is obtained having a third end portion. At least one of the second and third end portions includes an annular outward fold including spaced-apart first and second fold portions. The first tubular connector and the tubular member are positioned with the second end portion aligned with and contacting the third end portion. A resistance welding current path is created through the first tubular connector and the tubular member proximate the second and third end portions and the second and third end portions are relatively and deformingly moved together creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the second and third end portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra, Johnny R. Gentry
  • Patent number: 6693251
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tubular assembly. A first tube is obtained. A first tubular connector is obtained having a first and second end portions. The first end portion is metallurgically attached to the first tube. A tubular member is obtained having a third end portion. At least one of the second and third end portions includes an annular outward fold including spaced-apart first and second fold portions. The first tubular connector and the tubular member are positioned with the second end portion aligned with and contacting the third end portion. A resistance welding current path is created through the first tubular connector and the tubular member proximate the second and third end portions and the second and third end portions are relatively and deformingly moved together creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the second and third end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra, Johnny R. Gentry
  • Patent number: 6689981
    Abstract: A method for metallurgically capping an end of a tube. A tube is obtained having a tube end portion and having a passageway which extends to the tube end portion A cap is obtained and positioned on the tube end portion covering the passageway. The tube end portion of the tube is folded around the cap creating an end portion fold while leaving a space within the fold. A resistance welding current path is created through the tube and the cap proximate the fold and the fold is moved deformingly against the cap creating a weld zone which includes at least some of the fold and at least some of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Dharmendra M. Ramachandra
  • Patent number: 6621037
    Abstract: A welding material assembly is constructed and arranged to position a welding material in electrically conductive relation between exterior surface portions of first and second weldable members at a location where the first and second weldable members are to be joined. The welding material assembly includes at least one welding material member mounted on a flexible carrier sheet in a predetermined arrangement with each welding material member being constructed of an electrically conductive metallic welding material capable of melting when heated by application of an electrical current. Each welding material member is mounted on the sheet such that when the sheet is placed between the exterior surfaces of the first and second weldable members to be welded, each welding material member is electrically conductively disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Richard D. Ashley, Ralph Miller
  • Patent number: 6552294
    Abstract: A first method for metallurgically attaching together two members. A first member is obtained having a through hole and having a longitudinally-projecting flange surrounding the through hole. A second member is obtained having a transversely-projecting annular rim. The second member is at least partially positioned in the through hole of the first member with the flange of the first member projecting away from the rim. The first and second members are resistance welded together, wherein after the weld is created, the rim of the second member is seated on the first member. In an other method, which is similar to the first method, the second member has no rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ventakatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Desra N. Herbst, Kevin J. Szeszulski
  • Patent number: 6548780
    Abstract: A technique for resistance welding an attachment such as a collar or base ring to a tank head section by causing welding current to flow through weld protrusions disposed on the attachment and which are pressed against the tank section. Electrodes are contacted to the attachment and the tank section in such a manner to provide for substantially equal welding current paths through the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Manchester Tank and Equipment Company
    Inventor: Arthur L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6545246
    Abstract: A profiling arrangement (1) with a roll forming machine (2) including several roller-type forming tools (6) and with a welding device (3) positioned in its processing path makes possible the application of more than one weld joint to a workpiece (51, 52, 53, or 54) to be manufactured. The welding device includes a single energy source and this source is connected with at least two welding heads (9) and (10) for producing both weld joints. The energy produced by welding device (3) is divided over the individual welding heads (9 and 10). This is especially favorable in the case of a welding device (3) with a laser-beam source. The laser beam can be split into several partial laser beams and guided to the individual laser-beam welding heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Dreistern-Werk Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Kummle
  • Publication number: 20030062343
    Abstract: A first method for metallurgically attaching together two members. A first member is obtained having a through hole and having a longitudinally-projecting flange surrounding the through hole. A second member is obtained having a transversely-projecting annular rim. The second member is at least partially positioned in the through hole of the first member with the flange of the first member projecting away from the rim. The first and second members are resistance welded together, wherein after the weld is created, the rim of the second member is seated on the first member. In an other method, which is similar to the first method, the second member has no rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Venkatasubramanian Ananthanarayanan, Desra N. Herbst, Kevin J. Szeszulski
  • Patent number: 6477774
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for initially performing a heat treatment process on a closed channel structural member to facilitate the subsequent performance of a magnetic pulse welding process so as to manufacture a vehicle frame component or a portion of a vehicle frame assembly. Initially, a workpiece is provided that is preferably formed from a closed channel structural member having a circular or box-shaped cross sectional shape. The workpiece is subjected to a scanning heat treatment process, wherein the workpiece is heat treated in a continuous and longitudinal manner from one end to the other. Preferably, the workpiece is supported vertically during the scanning heat treatment process to prevent the shape thereof from becoming distorted. The scanning heat treatment process is preferably a retrogression heat treatment process, wherein the workpiece is rapidly heated to a sufficient temperature that provides for full or partial softening thereof, followed by relatively rapid cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Marando, John L. Kichline, Jr., Richard L. Stuck
  • Publication number: 20020100747
    Abstract: A welding material assembly is constructed and arranged to position a welding material in electrically conductive relation between exterior surface portions of first and second weldable members at a location where the first and second weldable members are to be joined. The welding material assembly includes at least one welding material member mounted on a flexible carrier sheet in a predetermined arrangement with each welding material member being constructed of an electrically conductive metallic welding material capable of melting when heated by application of an electrical current. Each welding material member is mounted on the sheet such that when the sheet is placed between the exterior surfaces of the first and second weldable members to be welded, each welding material member is electrically conductively disposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Richard D. Ashley, Ralph Miller
  • Publication number: 20020100746
    Abstract: A welding material is constructed and arranged to be positioned in electrically conductive relation between exterior surface portions of first and second weldable members at a location where the first and second weldable members are to be joined. The welding material includes at least one welding material member constructed of an electrically conductive metallic welding material capable of melting when heated by application of an electrical current. Each welding material member is mounted on the exterior surface of the first weldable member and then positioned between the exterior surfaces of the first and second weldable members to be electrically conductively disposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Richard D. Ashley, Victor J. Malczewski
  • Patent number: 6417482
    Abstract: A number of tubes that are about to be welded, or have already been welded, are positioned on a table. The seam of each tube is welded by a laser welding unit. While one tube is being welded, it is possible to load the other positions of the table with tubes for welding and/or to unload tubes that have already been welded. This makes it possible to obtain optimum utilization of the laser welding unit. A sensor is used to detect the positioning of the welding edges and a tube is rotated if necessary to properly position the tube for welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Elpatronic AG
    Inventor: Peter Gysi
  • Patent number: 6403916
    Abstract: An automated system, method and apparatus for producing welded end closures in thin-walled metal tubes, preferably sealing a radioactive source inside the tubes, by use of an electronically controlled robot that grasps and sequentially repositions the tube through a series of stations in which the tube is bottom-welded, inspected, filled, inspected, top welded and inspected, and wherein the tube bottom and top are welded using multi-directional laser beams generated by a single laser light source and discharged through a plurality of spaced-apart laser welder heads. Brachytherapy seeds containing radiolabeled microspheres are produced using the system, method and apparatus of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Isostar International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Spooner, T. L. Thompson, Michael L. Vinson
  • Patent number: 6398101
    Abstract: A bi-directional compliant precision linear slide apparatus having a base that supports two side bearing blocks, side rails and an internal air cylinder. The bearing blocks allow for a set of side rails to be moved in a first direction via the introduction or expelling of air to and from the air cylinder. A top rail allows for a top mounting bracket to be moved back and forth in a second direction, and a set of spring loaded plungers facilitate the precise positioning of the top mounting bracket within the top rails prior to bracket engagement to tube. The top mounting bracket is connected to a first component that is to be welded to a second component. Thus, by controlling the precise position of the top mounting bracket, the gap between the two components is controlled thereby affecting the type and quality of weld needed, reducing the amount of the weld time, and reducing the amount of heat introduced into the two components during the welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Dimensional Tooling Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. Pollock
  • Patent number: 6373021
    Abstract: A method for forming an electrical resistance weld between a metal tube and a metal sheet is disclosed. In the method, a plurality of generally circular protrusions having generally triangular cross sections is formed upon the sheet. Thereafter, electrodes are utilized to flex the tube, while an electrical current is generated for electric resistance welding the sheet to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Ningjian Huang
  • Patent number: 6365865
    Abstract: A welding process in which fixture pipes 3 are resistance welded to opposite ends of a hollow stabilizer's suspension arm 1 for a vehicle and thereafter, these two parts are subjected to arc welding, but with a first step of the ends of the hollow stabilizer's suspension arm upset to form thick wall portions before resistance welding and arc welding are performed. The initial resistance welding retains the two parts in place for the arc welding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Chuohatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotusgu Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 6355899
    Abstract: A tube clamping assembly comprising a first portion having a base and a clamping device carried on the base, and a second portion having a base and a clamping device carried on the base. The first and second portions are coupled to each other such that the portions may be adjusted relative each other. In another embodiment, the invention is a tube clamping assembly comprising a base, and a first movable clamp arm and a first stationary clamp arm coupled to the base for gripping a cylindrical workpiece therebetween. The tube clamping assembly further comprises a second movable clamp arm and a second stationary clamp arm coupled to the base for gripping a cylindrical workpiece therebetween, wherein at least one of the stationary clamp arms is removably coupled to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: James M. Kane, Ronald K. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20010045411
    Abstract: A non-woven wire mesh screen having a first planar array of stainless steel wires disposed in a longitudinal direction and a second planar array of stainless steel wires disposed transverse to the first planar array. The stainless steel wires have a tensile strength greater than 200,000 psi.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Edwin C. Bailey
  • Patent number: 6322652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a substantially cylindrical tool from a substantially planar substrate, wherein the tooling has at least one patterned surface. The resulting tooling includes a patterned surface with a sufficiently strong weld that is capable of producing an article having a pattern surface that has a relatively narrow and preferably cosmetically pleasing seam line. Such articles include retroreflective sheeting, structured abrasive articles, adhesive articles suitable for use in personal care products, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Verlyn H. Paulson, Gary J. Geissler, Gerald M. Benson, Chester A. Bacon, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20010019039
    Abstract: A welding material in positioned in electrically conductive relation between exterior surface portions of first and second weldable members, such as hydroformed tubes, at a location where the first and second weldable members are to be joined. A welding device comprises first and second electrodes or conductive ends that extend along substantially the entire extent of first sides of the first and second weldable members, respectively. The first and second conductive ends include first and second concave recesses, which nest with the first and second weldable members, respectively. Electrical current is applied across the first and second weldable members by the nesting first and second conductive ends such that the applied current melts the welding material and thereby welds the exterior surface portions to one another. The welding device can be mounted on a robotic mechanism, which can move the welding device between first and second welding positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Victor J. Malczewski, Richard Ashley
  • Publication number: 20010008228
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molded part (10) which is configured by initially forming a tubular body (2) with a soldered flange (7). Subsequently, the body (2) is shaped in a mold (8) by securing the flange (7) under high internal pressure to shape the form part or the preform (10). Thus, preforms with a secured flange that can be used to connect said preforms to other parts can be easily obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: MARKUS MEIER, WERNER URECH
  • Patent number: 6259052
    Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for joining the ends of two cylindrical (i.e., pipe-shaped) sections together with a friction stir weld. The apparatus holds the two cylindrical sections together and provides back-side weld support as it makes a friction stir weld around the circumference of the joined ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: R. Jeffrey Ding, Robert W. Carter