Plier Or Tong Type Patents (Class 219/90)
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Patent number: 10610959Abstract: The invention relates to ultrasonic welding tongs (10) for performing ultrasonic welding on a tubular electrically conductive welding medium (20), wherein a first welding jaw or a second welding jaw and a welding-medium stop device (21), which delimits a welding-medium holding space (19) formed between the welding jaws, are each electrically conductive and arranged electrically isolated from each other, the electrically conductive welding jaw and the electrically conductive welding-medium stop device forming components of a safety circuit in such a manner that a welding process including a closing of the welding jaws is triggered after the safety circuit has been closed by the formation of an electrical contact between the electrically conductive welding jaw and the welding-medium stop device by way of the welding medium.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: SCHUNK SONOSYSTEMS GMBHInventors: Frank Gassert, Peter Quillmann, Udo Wagenbach
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Patent number: 9796040Abstract: A melt cutter includes a case, an electricity-connecting portion, a heating device, a working portion, a control portion, and a heat-dissipating device. The case has a heat-dissipating zone. The electricity-connecting portion is disposed in the case for connecting with an electricity source. The working portion is disposed in the case and has a gap with changeable size for clamping an object. The control portion alternatively triggers the heating device to heat and to transmit heat to the working portion, and it also reduces the size of the gap for melting and cutting the object. The heat-dissipating device is disposed at the heat-dissipating zone and is electrically connected with the electricity-connecting portion. Thereby, the heat-dissipating device helps air communication between interior and exterior of the case.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Inventor: Yuan-Hung Wen
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Patent number: 9492911Abstract: A hand tool includes a first jaw, a first handle fixed to the first jaw, a second jaw, and a second handle pivotally coupled to the second jaw, a link member, and an adjustment member. The adjustment member is operable to axially move a first end of the link member to vary a distance between the first and second jaws. The adjustment member includes an engagement surface engageable with the first end of the link member, a shank in threaded engagement with a bore in the first handle, and a flange extending from the shank opposite the engagement portion. The flange includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and an elongate opening extending through the first and second sides.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Steven W. Hyma, Cheng Zhang Li
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Patent number: 8969750Abstract: The invention relates to a compensation cylinder unit that acts as a drive for the electrode arms of a welding device. The unit comprises a cylinder and at least two pressure chambers, which are sub-divided by a piston assembly and which can be alternately supplied with a pressurized medium by means of a valve assembly for controlling the drive displacement. According to the invention, the valve assembly comprises a proportional valve which can be controlled by a control unit, first in accordance with harmonized path signals that represent the position of the piston assembly and then by pressure signals that respectively represent the pressure in the pressure chambers, in such a way that the difference between the pressures that prevail in the pressure chambers in a predeterminable position of the piston assembly assumes a constant value that represents the weight compensation force of at least one electrode arm.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Norgren GmbHInventors: Florian Braun, Thomas Laubacher, Helmut Schneider-König, Frank Schnur
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Patent number: 8866037Abstract: The invention relates to spot welding tongs with tong compensation, including a tong base body (4), two tong arms (6, 7) and a compensation unit (17) movably connecting one of the tong arms (6, 7) with the tong base body (4) and designed to convert a rotational movement into a linear movement, wherein the compensation unit (17) is composed of a drive unit (18) and a connector element (19), and the connector element (19) is eccentrically and movably fastened to an eccentric disc (23) fastened to the drive unit (18). In order to provide such spot welding tongs (1) with a compensation unit, which converts the rational movement into a linear movement, the connector element (19) is designed to be curved in an end region.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Fronius International GmbHInventors: Wolf Kronegger, Robert Schiefermüller, Walter Stieglbauer
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Publication number: 20140291300Abstract: A spot welding system (1) includes a welding pressure command generating unit (31) which generates a reference welding pressure command for a spot welding gun by applying pressure to workpieces to be welded between two electrode tips and at least one detective welding pressure command, an elastic displacement quantity deviation calculating unit (32) calculating, as an elastic displacement quantity deviation, a rotational position deviation between the rotational position of a servomotor when the reference welding pressure command is used and the rotational position of the servomotor when at least one detective welding pressure command is used, and an estimating unit (34) which estimates that there is an abnormality in the spot welding gun when the deviation between the elastic displacement quantity deviation based on the reference welding pressure command and at least one detective welding pressure command and the reference displacement quantity deviation is greater than a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: FANUC CORPORATIONInventor: Yasuhiro Amagata
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Patent number: 8847099Abstract: A resistance welding gun is provided that includes an arm assembly having spaced apart plates. First and second spaced apart blocks interconnect the plates and extend between the plates in a first direction. The first and second blocks are machined to provide a desired spacing between the plates. An electrode arm is arranged between the plates and blocks and supports an electrode end having a replaceable cap in one example. A clamping device applies a clamping load in a second direction transverse to the first direction to secure the electrode arm between the blocks. Lateral alignment between opposing electrode ends is achieved by a movable adjustment assembly on one of the arm assemblies. A pivot pin interconnects the block and electrode arm for permitting rotation of the electrode arm relative to the block. In one example, the adjustment assembly includes an adjustment member that is rotated to laterally move the electrode arm about the pivot pin in a desired position.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Doben LimitedInventors: Rene B. Scodeller, Michael J. Renaud
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Patent number: 8754347Abstract: A resistance spot welder includes: a motor, having a shaft; a cylindrical casing; a hollow guide rod, inserted into the casing, and adapted to be moved linearly for moving a first electrode tip facing a second electrode tip provided at a gun arm; a ball nut, fixed in an inner circumference of the guide rod; a ball screw, fitted through the ball nut; a coupling, including a first fastening portion into which the shaft of the motor is inserted and a second fastening portion into which the ball screw is inserted and which is opposite to the first fastening portion; and a bearing, fitted between an outer circumference of the first fastening portion and an inner circumference of the casing. The guide rod is moved between a first point which is a motor side and a second point which is an electrode tip side. When the guide rod is positioned at the first point, the guide rod accommodates at least a part of the second fastening portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Dengensha Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Toshio Murai, Yoshiaki Iwamoto
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Patent number: 8680423Abstract: The invention relates to a spot welding rod for the resistance welding of workpieces, the rod comprising a drive, which displaces the pincer arms and is configured by a spur gear and a connecting rod that is connected to the gear, the spur gear being connected to one pincer arm and the connecting rod to the other pincer arm. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting the pressure of a spot welding rod of this type. The aim of the invention is to provide a spot welding rod of this type with a simple, compact, modular construction, whose drive requires minimum maintenance and which permits a high number of spot welds. To achieve this, the connecting rod is connected to the spur gear outside the center of the latter, in particular at a defined distance to the central axis of the spur gear by means of a bearing assembly, the latter executing a curved movement during the working operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Fronius International GmbHInventors: Manuel Binder, Walter Stieglbauer, Günter Weigerstorfer
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Patent number: 8445809Abstract: A welding method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a plurality of stacks of metal sheets are clamped together in sequence at a welding site between a pair of electrode caps across which welding current is supplied to spot weld together the sheets in each of the stacks in a series of welding operations in a production run. The electrode caps are pressed against the sheets in each of the stacks when each of the stacks is at the welding site with an applied force that includes a closing force to clamp the sheets together in a surface-to-surface interface fit plus a predetermined interjoint force that is increased progressively throughout the production run.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Vernon Fernandez, Manohar Das, Gerry Grzadzinski
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Patent number: 8319140Abstract: A spot welding gun for resistance welding of workpieces, includes a base body and a bracket, in which electrode holders are arranged, the electrodes being in turn arranged in the holders. At least one electrode holder is fixed to an actuator that enables the electrode holder fixed thereto with the electrode to be displaced in longitudinal direction towards other electrodes. To protect the electrodes, a winding device with a band is arranged, the band being displaceably arranged between the contact surface of the electrode and the workpiece opposite the electrode. The winding device assigned to the displaceable electrode is connected to the displaceable electrode so that it moves at the same time as the electrode when the electrode is moved in longitudinal direction. The electrode holders and the electrodes have devices for guiding the band from the winding device axially along the electrode holders towards the electrode and vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Fronius International GmbHInventors: Walter Stieglbauer, Guenter Weigerstorfer
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Patent number: 8237078Abstract: A multiple welding gun system includes a plurality of welding guns, simultaneously performing welding operations, mounted to a robot arm of a welding robot and a pitch changing device as a space adjusting device disposed between the plurality of welding guns. The pitch changing device is configured to change a gun pitch so as to adjust a space between the welding guns by rotating one of the welding guns relative to other one of the welding guns to thereby move the welding guns closer to or separate from each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Norio Yasunaga, Mitsuo Munakata
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Patent number: 8178817Abstract: Spot welding tongs for robotic applications in resistance welding of workpieces, in particular sheets, comprise tong arms, mounted such as to pivot on a base body. These tongs which may be adjusted and to which electrode holders for the electrodes are fixed and a winding device with a pay-out roller and a wind-in roller, for the winding in and out of a strip to protect at least one electrode. These spot welding tongs may be produced, in which access is not seriously affected and with a very simple and compact construction, whereby the pay-out roller and the wind-in roller of the winding device are arranged on the base body, or the tongs arm and at least one guide groove, for guiding the strip, is arranged in the tongs arm and/or the electrode holder.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Fronius International GmbHInventors: Walter Stieglbauer, Günter Weigerstorfer
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Patent number: 7968815Abstract: A resistance spot welder including a first plate, a second plate rotatably connected to the first plate through a shaft and driven on the shaft by an actuator, gun arms removably fixed on and electrically insulated with the first and second plates, and electrode tips confronting each other and fixed on the gun arms.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Dengensha Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Toshio Murai, Yoshiaki Iwamoto
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Patent number: 7851723Abstract: A spot welding head includes an electrical conductor guided into a tubular sheath whose ends are rigidly connected to rear ends of supporting bodies of several electrodes. The sheath defines a substantially stiff loop portion configured and arranged so as to be substantially parallel and to face an annular path defined by the electrodes and the supporting bodies, in such a way that two magnetic fields, one generated by electromagnetic induction caused by electric current flowing through the electric conductor placed into the loop-shaped sheath, and the other generated by electromagnetic induction caused by electric current flowing through the electrodes and the supporting bodies thereof, substantially cancel each other out or generate an overall magnetic field which is located forward of the rear end of the welding head or forward of the operator's body.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventor: Massimo Di Pardo
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Patent number: 7673784Abstract: A welding fixture for supporting first and second workpieces in a coaxial relationship along a workpiece axis relative to each other includes a base, a left clamp on the base for holding a first workpiece, and a right clamp on the base for holding a second workpiece on an opposite side of a welding plane in a coaxial relationship with the first workpiece. The fixture also includes a left handle on the base for operating the right clamp, and a right handle on the base for operating the left clamp.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Swagelok CompanyInventors: Robert Scott Headings, Charles W. Hayes, II, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig Mizer, Marc L. Vitantonio, Peter M. Oyster
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Publication number: 20090266797Abstract: There are spot welding tongs for robotic applications in resistance welding of workpieces, in particular sheets, comprising tong arms, mounted such as to pivot on a base body, which may be adjusted using an operator and to which electrode holders for the electrodes are fixed and a winding device with a pay-out roller and a wind-in roller, for the winding in and out of a strip to protect at least one electrode. According to one embodiment, such spot welding tongs may be produced, in which access is not seriously affected and with a very simple and compact construction, whereby the pay-out roller and the wind-in roller of the winding device are arranged on the base body, or the tongs arm and at least one guide groove, for guiding the strip, is arranged in the tongs arm and/or the electrode holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: Walter Stieglbauer, Gunter Weigerstorfer
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Patent number: 7538293Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting an electrode during the resistance welding of workpieces, in particular sheet metal. Said device comprises a strip that is placed over the electrode and can be displaced in relation to the latter, a backing material of said strip having an electrically conductive coating. To improve the welding quality, the coating is applied to the opposite side of the strip from the electrode and consists of a material, whose hardness is less than that of the backing material of the strip. The soft, electrically conductive coating improves the transfer of current from the electrode to the workpiece, thus preventing weld spatter and improving the welding quality.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Fronius International GmbHInventors: Walter Stieglbauer, Gerald Hieslmair
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Patent number: 7518083Abstract: A spot-welding tool having at least one electrode for resistance welding of workpieces such as metal sheets. The spot welding tool has a pressure element for holding down the workpieces arranged on the electrode in a region of the electrode cap to prevent process-dependent warping or arching of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Fronius International GmbHInventors: Walter Stieglbauer, Manfred Wimmer, Karin Himmelbauer
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Patent number: 7511244Abstract: A method for resistance welding for welding two workpieces to one another using spot-welding tools. In the method, two electrodes of the spot welding tool are pressed against each other, and the electrodes are powered with energy. The workpieces are interposed and contact of the workpiece with the spot-welding tool is detected with a pressure element movably arranged on at least one of the electrodes and projecting beyond the electrode. The pressure element is then displaced relative to the electrode until the electrode contacts the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Fronius International GmbHInventors: Walter Stieglbauer, Manfred Wimmer, Karin Himmelbauer
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Publication number: 20090050607Abstract: The invention relates to spot welding tongs with tong compensation, including a tong base body (4), two tong arms (6, 7) and a compensation unit (17) movably connecting one of the tong arms (6, 7) with the tong base body (4) and designed to convert a rotational movement into a linear movement, wherein the compensation unit (17) is composed of a drive unit (18) and a connector element (19), and the connector element (19) is eccentrically and movably fastened to an eccentric disc (23) fastened to the drive unit (18). In order to provide such spot welding tongs (1) with a compensation unit, which converts the rational movement into a linear movement, the connector element (19) is designed to be curved in an end region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2006Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: Fronius International GmbHInventors: Wolf Kronegger, Robert Schiefermuller, Walter Stieglbauer
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Patent number: 7435924Abstract: A drive device for a pair of welding tongs having a pair of limbs, is arranged between the adjusting ends of the limbs, located opposite to the welding electrodes, for adjusting between a welding position and a standby position. In order to reduce its length, provide continuous control and monitoring, simplify the device and reduce noise, the drive device is provided with an electric motor-driven screw-thread drive with a rotating nut and a rotating spindle which is axially displaceable between an extended and a return position, the spindle being connected to an adjusting end of the limb. The drive device can be used as a main drive for a pair of welding tongs for the positioning of the limbs, or can be used as a secondary drive, for setting of a stopping position of the pair of welding tongs.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2003Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: SWAC Electronic GmbHInventors: Stefan Schmitt-Walter, Robert Hartmann
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Patent number: 7420137Abstract: A method for open or closed-loop control of welding tong movement utilizes a welding tong drive having a primary and a secondary drive device. The primary drive device moves two welding tong limbs with welding electrodes toward a welding object from opposite sides. The welding tong limbs press onto the welding object with a predetermined compressive force. During actuation, the secondary drive device varies a spatial orientation of the welding tongs. In order to contact the welding object in a controlled manner, and to reliably acquire any deviations from specified spatial points during contacting, the welding tongs first approach a spatial point relative to the welding object. The welding tong limbs are held in a fixed spatial orientation during the approach. The secondary drive device is actuated until a welding tong limb contacts the welding object. The primary drive device then closes the welding tong limbs.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: SWAC Electronic GmbHInventor: Stefan Schmitt-Walter
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Publication number: 20080078748Abstract: The invention relates to a spot welding rod for the resistance welding of workpieces, the rod comprising a drive, which displaces the pincer arms and is configured by a spur gear and a connecting rod that is connected to the gear, the spur gear being connected to one pincer arm and the connecting rod to the other pincer arm. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting the pressure of a spot welding rod of this type. The aim of the invention is to provide a spot welding rod of this type with a simple, compact, modular construction, whose drive requires minimum maintenance and which permits a high number of spot welds. To achieve this, the connecting rod is connected to the spur gear outside the center of the latter, in particular at a defined distance to the central axis of the spur gear by means of a bearing assembly, the latter executing a curved movement during the working operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2005Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Manuel Binder, Walter Stieglbauer, Gunter Weigerstorfer
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Patent number: 7173210Abstract: A spot welding rod for resistance welding of object comprises a rod which is moveable axially, and two electrode arms provided with electrodes, wherein the electrodes face towards each other and the welding gun is adapted to press together objects to be welded located between the electrodes by axial movement of the rod, and to allow welding current to flow between the electrodes. The rod axis extends in a direction which is generally perpendicular to the directions of the electrodes and at least one of the electrode arms is pivotally mounted. The welding gun includes structural elements which are connected operatively to the at least one pivotally mounted electrode arm and the rod.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Car-O-Liner ABInventors: Magnus Eek, Sivert Stenkvist
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Patent number: 7067760Abstract: Spot welding gun, having a support, a lower half-gun and an upper half-gun articulated one to the other by a pin, mounted in an oscillating configuration with respect to said support and propping up corresponding welding arms, and a working cylinder including a body and a stem moving with respect to the body so as to control the movement of the upper half-gun and of the lower half-gun. The support has a main plate from which extend two parallel support sides with an articulation axis around which the lower half-gun and the upper half-gun are articulated. The lower half-gun comprises two actuating forks to which the body of the working cylinder is articulated around an axis parallel to the articulation axis. The stem of the working cylinder has an end articulated to the upper half-gun around another axis parallel to said articulation axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Comau SpaInventor: Dino Porta
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Patent number: 7019250Abstract: A quick change device has a mounting member for mounting an actuator to a resistance welding gun by headed fasteners. The mounting member has several keyhole type apertures arranged in a circle. The fasteners extend through the narrow portions of the keyhole type apertures and the fastener heads clamp the mounting member to the welding gun. To detach the actuator, the mounting member is first released by loosening the fasteners and rotating the mounting member until the heads of the fasteners align with the wide portions of the keyhole type apertures. An additional fastener extends through a round aperture which is removed before the mounting member is released and the actuator is detached.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: Vernon Fernandez, James W Strausbaugh, Gerry Grzadzinski, Feng Cao
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Patent number: 6927357Abstract: A weld gun having a linkage, which relates pivotal motion of a pair of laterally opposed facing electrodes of the weld gun in a predetermined manner. Based upon the predetermined motion of the electrodes a welding robot positions the electrodes of the weld gun on opposite sides of a workpiece to be welded so that the electrodes simultaneously engage the workpiece on opposite sides.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Kenneth R. Schmidt, Peter C. Sun, Pei-Chung Wang
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Patent number: 6875945Abstract: A pair of welding tongs includes two moveable tong arms, with each tong arm including a first arm element with an electrode, a second arm element, and a connecting element disposed between the first and second arm elements, whereby the connecting elements of the tong arms can rotate about a common fixed reference point. An articulated lever is connected to the second arm element. The pair of welding tongs further includes a mechanical coupling to link the articulated levers of the tong arms, and a drive unit for driving the mechanical coupling. The motion of the mechanical coupling is transmitted to each tong arm of the welding tongs.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Axel Knauff, Holger Schunk
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Publication number: 20040238499Abstract: The invention is characterized in that the indexing and de-indexing device comprises an electric step motor (19) controlling, via a screw-nut type mechanical transmission (18), a sliding indexing pin (15) moving between an abutting position against the fixed indexed arm (3) and a position spaced apart from the fixed indexed arm (3), said electric motor being controlled by a management electronic module (20) designed to receive a control signal (22) and, in response to the reception of said signal, to power the motor (19) and provide controlled displacement of the indexing pin (15). The invention is applicable to electrically-driven welding pliers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventor: Michel Beffrieu
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Patent number: 6723944Abstract: A pinch type weld gun wherein the weld arms are pivotally mounted on the frame structure via a ball bearing structure including annular members of insulative material positioned in apertures in the weld arms, inner races fixedly mounted on a common pivot pin, outer races positioned within the respective insulative annular members, and ball races positioned between the respective inner races and respective outer races. A shunt is fixedly secured at one end thereof to a gun electrode and fixedly secured at another end thereof to the gun transformer, and the other end of the shunt defines a coolant passage communicating with the transformer coolant passage system whereby coolant may be delivered to the transformer coolant passage system through the coolant passage in the other end of the shunt.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries Co.Inventor: Jeffrey R. Angel
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Patent number: 6706990Abstract: A device for use in combination with a hand held resistance welder to allow for insertion of an elongated portion of metal between two electrodes for welding hard to reach areas. The device features a mount to attach the device to a conventional hand held resistance welder with a laterally translatable pressure shaft. Once operatively mounted, translation of the pressure shaft translates a pivoting electrode which in turn rotates a primary mounting arm which causes two electrodes to move together and form a weld on the metal inserted.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventor: Goran K. Olsson
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Publication number: 20030160028Abstract: A pair of welding tongs includes two moveable tong arms, with each tong arm including a first arm element with an electrode, a second arm element, and a connecting element disposed between the first and second arm elements, whereby the connecting elements of the tong arms can rotate about a common fixed reference point. An articulated lever is connected to the second arm element. The pair of welding tongs further includes a mechanical coupling to link the, articulated levers of the tong arms, and a drive unit for driving the mechanical coupling. The motion of the mechanical coupling is transmitted to each tong arm of the welding tongs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Axel Knauff, Holger Schunk
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Publication number: 20030094441Abstract: A multi-axis articulatable robot with a weld gun having a pair of opposing arms, where at least one arm is movable relative to the other arm to apply pressure to a workpiece during a welding operation. At least one of the opposing arms of the weld gun can be rotatable or translatable relative to the other arm. At least one arm is moved relative to the other arm by an inverted roller screw linear actuator. The robot can include an electric controller for controlling the operation of the actuator of the weld gun as an additional axis of the robot movement. The actuator can be mounted on either of the opposing arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Michael R. Dugas, Velibor Kilibarda, Jeffrey R. Angel
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Patent number: 6252193Abstract: An X type electric welding machine with an electrode pressing force that is not susceptible to the wear of electrodes or variation of deflection of gun arms which varies every pressing force. An accurate electrode pressing force can be obtained for an electrode pressing force set by a simple controller. The X type electric welding machine includes at least two gun arms each having electrodes at tip ends thereof which oppose each other. The gun arms are connected to each other at a connection part on which at least one gun arm is rotatably pivoted. A reduction gear is disposed separately from the connection part of the gun arms and a motor is connected to the reduction gear. A power transmission mechanism is provided at an output side of the reduction gear for rotating one of the gun arms, wherein the power transmission mechanism includes a swing arm fixed to an output shaft of the reduction gear and a link formed between the swing arm and one of the gun arms.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Obara CorporationInventor: Shigeru Umeda
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Patent number: 6072146Abstract: A resistance welding device having a welding current source, a control and/or regulating device for regulating the welding current, and at least one set of interchangeable welding guns on which welding electrodes are mounted in such fashion that they can be pressed toward one another to hold sheets to be welded between them. The interchangeable welding guns contain a local data storage memory located on the welding guns for storing data specific to the operation of the welding guns, and a data interface which can interact with a second data interface located on the control and/or regulating device. When the set of welding guns in attached to the welding device, the two data interfaces are connected thereby permitting the specific operating data for the welding guns to be transmitted to the program memory of control and/or regulating device.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Matuschek Messtechnik GmbHInventors: Ulrich Matuschek, Norbert Metzen, Karl Poll
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Patent number: 5958262Abstract: A spot welding apparatus having a welding gun with movable and fixed electrodes carried on an articulating wrist, the apparatus comprising: a) a robotically actuated articulating wrist carrying the gun for movement to and from a welding position for a workpiece; b) a primary cylinder assembly connecting the wrist to the movable electrode of the gun for imposing pressure by such movable electrode to the workpiece and to the fixed electrode during a welding stroke toward the workpiece; and c) a fixing cylinder assembly connecting the wrist to the fixed electrode, the fixing cylinder assembly having (i) a fixing cylinder housing with a movable fixing piston therein connected to the fixed electrode of the welding gun and having a fixing piston stop, (ii) a primary balancing spring acting between the fixing cylinder housing and the movable fixing piston to carry the weight of the gun, (iii) structure for introducing a fixing air pressure into the fixing cylinder housing to urge the fixing piston to a position lockType: GrantFiled: January 19, 1999Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Palko, James Wayne Dolfi, Keith Albert Dils
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Patent number: 5928531Abstract: A motor-driven resistance spot welding machine includes: a drive rod having an electrode tip on an end thereof and making a linear motion; a linear guide for guiding the linear motion of the drive rod, the linear guide including a bearing; and a reduction gear being supported by a gun arm or a gun bracket. The machine also linearly drives the drive rod in an electrode force direction by transmitting an output torque of an electric motor to the reduction gear. In the machine, a rear portion of the drive rod is connected to a swing lever through a link, the swing lever being secured either to an output shaft of the reduction gear or to a main body of the reduction gear, whereby an arcuate motion is transmitted to the swing lever by an output of the electric motor, and is then converted into a linear motion of the drive rod by the link to thereby drive the drive rod so as to apply electrode force.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Dengensha Manufacturing Company, LimitedInventors: Yoshio Sato, Junichi Taniguchi, Keiji Kameta
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Patent number: 5911889Abstract: A method is provided to remove crystal regions from silicon wafers which are damaged as a consequence of mechanical machining of the silicon wafers. The silicon wafers are pretreated with an aqueous solution containing hydrogen fluoride. Then the wafers are etched in an aqueous solution exposed to ultrasound and containing alkali metal hydroxide at temperatures from 55.degree. C. to 95.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1996Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Wacker Siltronic Gesellschaft fur Halbleitermaterialien AktiengesellschaftInventors: Laszlo Fabry, Bernd Passer, Edeltraud Steiger
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Patent number: 5750953Abstract: A motor-driven X-type resistance spot welding gun. A servo-controlled motor torque is converted into force to drive gun arms and into electrode force by using a reduction gear without converting rotational output of the motor into rectilinear motion. The two arms are respectively attached to an output shaft of the reduction gear or a case, and the rotational output of the motor can be converted into swing-wise movement to close and open the arms. The electrode tips on the arms nip a workpiece to apply electrode force to the workpiece, and current is passed through the workpiece to perform spot welding. A motor, a reduction gear and the like are assembled on a common base to form a driving unit so that an arm actuator for the X-type resistance spot welding gun is formed. The same driving unit can be used commonly to various X-type gun models. The independent properties of functions of a bracket for attaching the welding gun to a robot are improved.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1996Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Dengensha Manufacturing Company LimitedInventors: Yoshio Sato, Keiji Kameta
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Patent number: 5739499Abstract: A pair of tongs position the first and second electrodes with respect to the workpiece while the tongs rotate with respect to one another about a pivot axis. A counterbalancing mechanism balances the first and second electrodes when in or in close proximity to, the welding position, where the electrodes compressively engage opposite sides of the workpiece during the welding operation. The counterbalancing mechanism is disposed with respect to the pivot axis for biasing one of the tongs in a rotational direction with respect to the pivot axis, such that the weld gun apparatus including the pair of tongs and tong actuator are balanced about the pivot axis when in the closed position. The counterbalance mechanism may include a torsion spring connected to the pivot pin defining the pivot axis. The biasing force of the torsion spring may be adjusted to achieve the desired counterbalancing force to balance the weight of the weld gun assembly about the pivot pin.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries CompanyInventors: Richard F. Suzio, Michael S. McFadden, Ronald R. Hendricks
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Patent number: 5632911Abstract: Apparatus for aiding in the manipulation of a tool by supporting the weight thereof is designed particularly for a resistance welding tool. The apparatus includes an overhead support, a curved bar hanging below the support, a trunnion connected to a lower end of the curved bar and a generally horizontal arm rotatably held by and extending out from the trunnion. In particular, the apparatus includes a bail having a circular frame affixed to an outer end of the generally horizontal arm. The bail has two plates affixed together and rotatably carried by the circular frame. The plates have central openings therein to receive the tool and have holes spaced around the central openings to receive fluid fittings to aid in operating the tool. The plates can have manifolds therein to reduce the number of lines required to operate the tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1995Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Assignee: Doben LimitedInventors: Robert L. Wigle, Edward J. Grondin
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Patent number: 5252801Abstract: A resistance welding gun which is adapted to prevent asymmetrical impacting of two or more metal sheets to be welded. The resistance welding gun includes a pair of rotatably connected arms, each of which has a corresponding working end and actuation end. An electrode tip is located at each working end to provide a pair of opposed welding electrodes, while a cylinder is attached to the actuation ends of the arms to provide rotation therebetween. Between the actuation ends there is provided an equalizing mechanism including a crank and a pair of linkages which serve to equalize the movement of the arms about their pivot. In cooperation with the pivot of the arms, the crank establishes a fixed or datum point at which the electrode tips of the resistance welding gun are targeted such that, when properly positioned on opposite sides of the metal sheets, the electrode tips contact the metal sheets substantially simultaneously and apply substantially equal forces to the opposite sides of the metal sheets.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1992Date of Patent: October 12, 1993Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries Co.Inventors: Jeffrey R. Angel, LeRoy R. Boza
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Patent number: 5247157Abstract: An apparatus for electrically heating an electrically conductive workpiece by passage of electric current therethrough includes a pair of hinged levers, each having a handle end and a jaw end. The jaw end of each lever is provided with a refractory metal ribbon heater selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, Nichrome, chromel, tungsten, and molydenum. The ribbon has an elongate cross-section and is bent to form a V-shaped contactor for achieving good thermal contact with a workpiece of relatively high conductivity, such as copper, aluminum or brass pipes and fittings. A copper conductor assures good electrical contact between the ends of the metal ribbon heater and the jaw and serves as a positioning block. A bolt and wing nut detachably secure the metal ribbon heater to the jaw.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1992Date of Patent: September 21, 1993Inventor: Max J. Spendlove
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Patent number: 5157234Abstract: A C-type welding robot gun holding apparatus having a pressure cylinder which is short in the longitudinal direction thereof and a welding robot gun which is low in height. The C-type welding robot gun holding apparatus comprises an L-shaped bracket fixed to a tip end of a robot wrist and having a projection, a fixing cylinder disposed over the pressure cylinder having a rod which is disposed in confronting relation with a front surface of the projection at a tip end of the rod and a stopper provided at a stopper holding member protruding from the rear end of the pressure cylinder being directed toward a rear surface of the projection.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1991Date of Patent: October 20, 1992Assignee: Obara CorporationInventor: Shigeru Umeda
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Patent number: 5107095Abstract: A connector which acts upon itself contains a fusible bonding material the connector forming a part of a temperature autoregulating electrical heater whereby upon application of a generally constant a.c. current to the heater, the temperature of the heater rises to and is maintained at slightly above the melting temperature of the fusible material.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1990Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Metcal, Inc.Inventor: Rodney L. Derbyshire
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Patent number: 4825031Abstract: A weld gun assembly including a support structure; a pair of arm members pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on the support structure on a common pivot axis; a weld tip at one end of each arm member; an air cylinder interconnected between the other ends of the arm members and operative when actuated to move the weld tips together in a closing direction; and a pair of hydraulic cushioning devices extending respectively between the support structure and one arm member and between the support structure and the other arm member. The cushioning devices are selectively adjustable to vary the resistance provided to the movement of each arm member toward its closed position so that the resistance to the closing movement of each arm member may be selectively adjusted in compensation for the unbalanced forces that are acting on the individual arm members and thereby ensure that the weld tips arrive at their welding position adjacent the panels to be welded at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1987Date of Patent: April 25, 1989Assignee: Enertrols, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Heideman
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Patent number: 4810849Abstract: A weld gun assembly including a support structure; a pair of arm members pivotally mounted intermediate their ends on the support structure on a common pivot axis; a weld tip at one end of each arm members; an air cylinder interconnected between the other ends of the arm members and operative when actuated to move the weld tips together in a closing direction; and a pair of hydraulic control devices extending respectively between the support structure and one arm member and between the support structure and the other arm member. The control devices function to ensure that the weld tips arrive at their closed welding position adjacent the panels to be welded at the same time irrespective of unbalancing forces acting on the weld gun and further function to ensure that there are no unbalancing forces tending to move the closed tips away from their closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1987Date of Patent: March 7, 1989Assignee: Enertrols, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Heideman
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Patent number: 4771160Abstract: Welding tongs for dot or spot welding having two arms which are disposed without crossing relationship and carrying weld electrodes respectively on one end. The arms are made of flat, spaced bars, and a substantially flat spacing member made of an elastic or resilient material, spaces the two arms from each other thereby interconnecting the tong arms in a range of pivot motion of the arms. An E-shaped mounting member limits lateral deflection of the tong arms and holds the spacing member. A hydraulic drive is connected to the other ends of the tong arms for obtaining the pivot motion of the arms in relation to each other, through tensioning and upsetting or compression of the spacing member.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1986Date of Patent: September 13, 1988Assignee: Lothar Schmitt GmbHInventors: Franz F. Pitsch, Lothar Ulrich
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Patent number: 4703158Abstract: A high frequency resistance welding system having a pair of jaws which are pivotally mounted together and are adapted to clampingly engage the work to be welded therebetween. Each jaw has two arms and each arm has a welding tip which engages the work. The welding tips on the arms on one jaw register with the welding tips on the arms on the other jaw. A high frequency alternating electric power source is connected to the first jaw so that the direction of current flow in one arm of the first jaw is opposite from the direction of current flow in the other arm of the first jaw so that the magnetic field caused by the current flow through one arm is substantially offset or cancelled by the current flow through the other arm of the first jaw. In addition, each welding arm is preferably L-shaped thus having an elongated shank with the welding tip at one end of the shank.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1986Date of Patent: October 27, 1987Assignee: Marelco Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Peter H. Burgher, John Boomer