By Localized Projection Patents (Class 219/93)
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Patent number: 6878897Abstract: A device is shown for determining if a weld nut is oriented or even present on a work piece before welding is initiated. This device determines the status of the weld nut by gauging the pressure of the air. If the weld nut is correctly oriented, then a predetermined pressure has been obtained and the welding of the nut to the work piece occurs. If an elevated air pressure is read, the device does not send a signal to weld as the weld nut is oriented upside down. If the air pressure is high, or at or nearing the supply pressure, then there is no weld nut present and no weld signal is delivered.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Practical Innovations LLCInventor: Tod Michael Landis
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Patent number: 6875946Abstract: The present invention relates to a nut positioning pin disposed on a lower electrode for the projection welding of a nut. The present invention increases cooling and positioning accuracy, prevents entrance of sputtering particles, and increases the detecting accuracy. The present invention comprises an electrode holder (2) of a double-tube structure having a cooling water passage, a guide ring (13) for guiding a coupling rod (7) for vertical movement, an air passage (m) for preventing the entrance of sputtering particles, a coupling block (28) and a magnetic shield, which comprises a magnetic member for preventing a magnetic detecting element from being affected by an external magnetic field. The present invention accurately guides cooling water and the coupling rod in the electrode holder and prevents sputtering particles from entering the electrode holder, and prevents a detector from being adversely influenced by an external magnetic field for increased detecting accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha SMKInventor: Masato Hidaka
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Patent number: 6864014Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive connecting structure exhibiting satisfactory connecting performance to connect a conductive connecting tab being mounted on a battery element to a battery case, said conductive connecting table of the battery is connected to inner wall surface of the battery case or to inner surface of the battery housing, said conductive connecting tab with a plurality of bumps for projection welding is positioned face-to-face to inner wall surface of the battery case or to inner surface of the battery housing, and projection welding is performed to connect the tab.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: NEC Tokin Tochigi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Sasaki, Yasuyuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 6827537Abstract: A weld nut has weld projections on both sides. The projections concentrate heat and melt when in contact with a component part, to form a lasting weld of the nut to the component part. Because there are weld projections on both sides of the nut, there is no risk that the nut will be placed against the component part upside down.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: James Norman, Joseph Roman, Paul Albrecht, James Herring
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Patent number: 6825436Abstract: One electrode 6 is provided with a recess 16 for receiving and holding a cap 13 and the other electrode 8 is provided with a recess 36 for receiving and holding a nut 10. The thus held cap 13 and nut 10 are pressed against each other by the advance of the electrode 6 and have an electric current passed therethrough, whereby both are welded. Further, to feed parts to the recesses 16 and 36 of both electrodes, there are installed a cap feeding mechanism 19 and a nut feeding mechanism 38 that perform square motions, respectively having feed members 18 and 37 adapted to hold the cap 13 and nut 10 therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
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Publication number: 20040149693Abstract: This invention provides a method of welding a cage and nut combination to a surface of a workpiece using a welding electrode as a holding and locating member for the cage and nut. The cage and nut are placed, up-side-down, in a recess formed in the welding tip of a lower electrode which is positioned vertically with its tip up. The workpiece backed by an opposing welding electrode are positioned above the electrode holding the inverted cage. The inverted cage and workpiece are pressed together along a vertical axis and electrically welded. The lower electrode with its recess serves to accurately locate the inverted cage with its weld material projections for uniform welding contact with the surface of the workpiece for more efficient welding setup and an improved welded bond between the cage, retaining a nut, and the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: James Franklin Hengel, David P. Kelly, Pei-Chung Wang
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Patent number: 6770835Abstract: This invention provides a method of welding a cage and nut combination to a surface of a workpiece using a welding electrode as a holding and locating member for the cage and nut. The cage and nut are placed, upside-down, in a recess formed in the welding tip of a lower electrode which is positioned vertically with its tip up. The workpiece backed by an opposing welding electrode are positioned above the electrode holding the inverted cage. The inverted cage and workpiece are pressed together along a vertical axis and electrically welded. The lower electrode with its recess serves to accurately locate the inverted cage with its weld material projections for uniform welding contact with the surface of the workpiece for more efficient welding setup and an improved welded bond between the cage, retaining a nut, and the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James Franklin Hengel, David P. Kelly, Pei-Chung Wang
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Patent number: 6765170Abstract: A method of single sided spot welding includes the steps of providing a metal tube having a convex surface portion and providing a metal sheet for welding to the metal tube. The method also includes the steps of contacting the metal sheet with the convex surface portion of the metal tube and contacting the metal sheet with a welding electrode. The method further includes the steps of supplying power to the welding electrode for melting metal and solidifying the molten metal to form a weld nugget between the metal sheet and the metal tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Chih-Chang Chen, Chi-Mou Ni, Michael Gerard Poss, Alexander Michael Turley, Daniel C. Hutchinson
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Patent number: 6765171Abstract: This invention provides a method of welding a flange nut to a workpiece surface using an improved design of a welding electrode. The electrode comprises a parts-receiving recess adapted to receive a stem portion of the nut, while maintaining a clearance between the recess and the stem. This clearance allows electrical current to be directed toward the flange portion of the nut. As a result, electrical contact between the workpiece and projections underlying the flange is greatly improved, thereby produce higher quality spot welds and increasing the life of the electrode tip.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James Franklin Hengel, David P. Kelly, Pei-Chung Wang
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Publication number: 20040112872Abstract: A method of single sided, spot welding includes the steps of providing a metal tube having a convex surface portion and providing a metal sheet for welding to the metal tube. The method also includes the steps of contacting the metal sheet with the convex surface portion of the metal tube and contacting the metal sheet with a welding electrode. The method further includes the steps of supplying power to the welding electrode for melting metal and solidifying the molten metal to form a weld nugget between the metal sheet and the metal tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Chih-Chang Chen, Chi-Mou Ni, Michael Gerard Poss, Alexander Michael Turley, Daniel C. Hutchinson
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Patent number: 6740840Abstract: A weld nut electrode for differentiating between a properly and an improperly oriented weld nut. The electrode has a conductive portion for passing weld current through the weld nut and an insulated portion electrically isolated from the conductive portion. The conductive portion makes electrical contact with a properly oriented weld nut, and the insulated portion is arranged to prevent physical contact between the conductive portion and an improperly oriented weld nut.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: Feng Cao, James Norman
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Patent number: 6706991Abstract: A welding method and a welding system for a projection bolt are provided. The disclosure comprises a stationary welding machine (5) having supporting arms (8, 9), each of which is provided with a movable electrode (10) and a fixed electrode (11) and either of the electrodes has a receiving hole (13) formed thereon for receiving the shank (2) of the projection bolt (1), wherein a projection bolt feed apparatus (14) is mounted on the stationary welding machine (5). According to the disclosure, the projection bolt (1) is stopped in the position where the shank (2) of the bolt (1) is coaxial with the receiving hole (13), then, the shank (2) is inserted into the receiving hole (13). A robot apparatus (33) brings a work (37) in between both the electrodes, where the welding operation of welding the projection bolt (1) to the work (37) is completed.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
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Patent number: 6703577Abstract: A method of securing a cap on a piston body includes forming a first annular V-shaped surface at an open end of a cylindrical piston body; forming a second annular V-shaped surface on an annular surface of an oil conduit in the interior center of the piston body; forming a cap to close the open end of the piston body and forming a pair of annular surfaces therein which are flat in shape and in contact with first and second annular V-shaped surfaces on the piston body; placing the cap over the open end of the piston body and thereby placing the annular surface on the cap and the body in close intimate contacting relation; and welding the respective annular surface of the cap and the piston body together by subjecting the cap and body to an extreme high current density to fuse respective contacting annular surfaces together.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Stoppek
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Patent number: 6654995Abstract: A method is disclosed for inserting an end of a first tubular member into a complementary end of a second tubular member and attaching (e.g., welding) the adjacent surfaces of the inserted ends in a tight peripheral bond. In the method, a substantially continuous protrusion is formed in either the first or second member. Thereafter, the first and second tubular members are placed relative to each other such that a current may be passed through the protrusion and a seal may be formed, thereby joining the members.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2000Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Michael Gerard Poss
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Patent number: 6653590Abstract: A projection bolt feed unit (14) is mounted on a welding frame (5) which is made to move by a robot system (1), and on either one of two electrodes (6, 7) installed on the welding frame (5) is formed a receiving hole (9) in which to insert a shaft (11). The projection bolt (10) held in said unit (14) stops at the position where its shaft (11) is coxial with the receiving hole (9), and then the shaft (11) is inserted into the receiving hole (9). After that, the welding frame (5) reaches the work (33) on standby, to weld the projection bolt (10) to the work (33).Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Yoshitaka AoyamaInventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
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Publication number: 20030213779Abstract: The present invention relates to a nut positioning pin disposed on a lower electrode for the projection welding of a nut. The present invention increases cooling and positioning accuracy, prevents entrance of sputtering particles, and increases the detecting accuracy. The present invention comprises an electrode holder (2) of a double-tube structure having a cooling water passage, a guide ring (13) for guiding a coupling rod (7) for vertical movement, an air passage (m) for preventing the entrance of sputtering particles, a coupling block (28) and a magnetic shield, which comprises a magnetic member for preventing a magnetic detecting element from being affected by an external magnetic field. The present invention accurately guides cooling water and the coupling rod in the electrode holder and prevents sputtering particles from entering the electrode holder, and prevents a detector from being adversely influenced by an external magnetic field for increased detecting accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventor: Masato Hidaka
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Patent number: 6637091Abstract: A method of making a face mask including the steps of providing a plurality of lengths of Grade 2, commercially pure titanium wire, having a diameter of from about 0.21 to about 0.24 inches; forming each length at room temperature to a desired bend angle by bending the member at room temperature using rotary bending apparatus to a first bend angle that is from about 1.25 to about 1.35 times greater than the desired bend angle; and welding each of the thus formed lengths to at least one other of the lengths in an ambient, oxygen containing environment.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Mad PartnersInventors: P. David Halstead, Garry W. McNabb, David E. Wright
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Publication number: 20030192862Abstract: A method and apparatus for projection welding a metal fastener (e.g., a nut) to a metal member (e.g., a sheet) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first electrical contact and a locator assembly having a second electrical contact. For welding the fastener to the member, the locator assembly aligns through-holes of the fastener and sheet and a current is passed through protrusions of the fastener. In turn, the protrusions are softened to bond with the member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Robert T. Thornton, Jerry D. Ramsden, Joseph Nida, Pei-Chung Wang
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Patent number: 6624379Abstract: A method and apparatus for projection welding a metal fastener (e.g., a nut) to a metal member (e.g., a sheet) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first electrical contact and a locator assembly having a second electrical contact. For welding the fastener to the member, the locator assembly aligns through-holes of the fastener and sheet and a current is passed through protrusions of the fastener. In turn, the protrusions are softened to bond with the member.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Robert T. Thornton, Jerry D. Ramsden, Joseph Nida, Jr., Pei-Chung Wang
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Publication number: 20030127432Abstract: A welding method and a welding system for a projection bolt are provided. The disclosure comprises a stationary welding machine (5) having supporting arms (8, 9), each of which is provided with a movable electrode (10) and a fixed electrode (11) and either of the electrodes has a receiving hole (13) formed thereon for receiving the shank (2) of the projection bolt (1), wherein a projection bolt feed apparatus (14) is mounted on the stationary welding machine (5). According to the disclosure, the projection bolt (1) is stopped in the position where the shank (2) of the bolt (1) is coaxial with the receiving hole (13), then, the shank (2) is inserted into the receiving hole (13). A robot apparatus (33) brings a work (37) in between both the electrodes, where the welding operation of welding the projection bolt (1) to the work (37) is completed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
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Publication number: 20030106879Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicants: Newcor, Inc., Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
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Patent number: 6576859Abstract: A welding assembly is provided for welding a fastener to an object such as a vehicle body panel. The assembly includes a weld gun having first and second electrodes movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. The first electrode includes a housing assembly. A pin is received in the housing assembly and is movable when in said closed position between a desired nut position, and upside down nut position, and a no nut position. An optical sensor has a terminal end space from the pin for direction light thereon. The terminal end of the sensor received reflected light from the pin. A sensor control system processes the reflected light into a signal corresponding to one of the desired nut, upside down nut, and no nut positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Doben LimitedInventor: Daniel Martin Cabanaw
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Patent number: 6555777Abstract: A method of manufacturing male bimetal slippers includes the steps of forming a stem having opposite first and second ends; rigidly affixing a ball on the first end of the stem to form a male slipper body; and capacitance discharge welding a wear pad to the second end of the stem. To manufacture female bimetal slippers the method includes forming a slipper body of a first material, the body having opposite first and second ends, the first end having a ball socket formed therein; and capacitance discharge welding a wear pad of a second material to the second end of the body.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Stoppek
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Patent number: 6548780Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Manchester Tank and Equipment CompanyInventor: Arthur L. Lewis
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Patent number: 6525290Abstract: Disclosed is an accumulator comprising: a pressure vessel; an elastic bellows in which a compressed gas is sealed, an end of the bellows being fixed to an interior of the pressure vessel; a flow path having an opening communicating with the interior and an exterior of the pressure vessel; a valve connected to a movable end of the bellows to operatively close the opening according to elastic motion of the bellows; and a hydraulic chamber partitioned from a gas chamber formed in an interior of the bellows containing the compressed gas. The valve comprises an upper surface which can cover the opening, and plural circular protrusions which surround the entire circumference of the opening and can closely contact the circumference of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeyoshi Shimbori, Chiharu Umetsu, Kouji Nakamura, Hiroshi Mizukami, Naoki Ueno
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Patent number: 6506998Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignees: Newcor, Inc., Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
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Patent number: 6455801Abstract: A method for manufacturing projection weld connections between plate parts of electrically conductive material such as body parts of automobiles in which a triangular projection is pressed in one of the plate parts, the projection having a rectangular base. Welding takes place under pressure using a pulse of current of about 15,000 to 50,000 amperes for 1 to 10 milliseconds.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Arplas Projects BVInventor: Tom Jansen Bramervaer
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Publication number: 20020117479Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventor: Arthur L. Lewis
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Patent number: 6407357Abstract: A method for resistance projecting welding the components of a current sensor is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a first blade having a projection extending outward and a first conductor, supporting the first blade and the first conductor, positioning the first blade adjacent to the first conductor so that the projection of the first blade contacts an opposed surface on the first conductor defining a contact area, supplying an electrical current of a predetermined magnitude and predetermined duration to the first blade and the first conductor to create a weld at the contact area and continually applying a compressing force of a predetermined magnitude to the first blade throughout the supplying step to resistance projection weld the first blade and the first conductor at the contact area. The present method overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an alternative method to fabricate current sensors.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joseph P. Bellino, Robert R. Leclair
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Patent number: 6373021Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Ningjian Huang
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Patent number: 6369344Abstract: A method of facing a substrate comprises applying a plurality of facing bodies to a carrier in a pattern corresponding to the desired pattern of the bodies on the faced substrate. The carrier has holes positioned centrally with respect to each body. Each body has, on a contact face to be fixed to the substrate, spaced raised weld elements which serve to locate the contact face parallel to and spaced from the substrate. The carrier is applied to the substrate with the contact faces of the bodies facing the substrate and then each body is electrically welded to the substrate by applying a welding tip to the body through each hole. A gap remains between the contact face and the substrate. Finally, the bodies are brazed to the substrate and brazing material flows between the bodies and the substrate. A facing kit comprises a carrier strip with facing bodies adhered thereto, each having raised weld elements in the form of dimples or lines.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Cutting & Wear Developments, Ltd.Inventors: Mark Alexander Russell, Frederick Brian Russell
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Publication number: 20010035398Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: Newcor, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
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Patent number: 6303893Abstract: A resistance projection welder for welding first and second work pieces to each other. The first work piece having a body with opposing sides with at least one projection extending from one of the opposing sides and contacting the second work piece to space the body from the second work piece and define an air gap therebetween when the first and second work pieces are properly oriented. First and second electrodes electrically couple with work pieces and apply an electrical current thereto. A source of pressurized air directs a stream of pressurized air toward an interface between the first work piece and one of the second work piece and the first electrode. An air flow sensor detects the flow rate of the air stream directed toward the interface and determines if the work pieces are properly oriented based on the detected air flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Perks MFG Engineering CompanyInventor: David L. Perks
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Patent number: 6281466Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignees: Newcor, Inc., Aluminum Company of AmericaInventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
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Patent number: 6175097Abstract: A guide pin comprising a metal core and a generally smooth, non-porous insulative ceramic layer disposed on the metal core. An intermediate layer comprising titanium-carbonitride (TiCN) may be disposed on the metal core, thereby improving bonding of the ceramic layer to the guide pin assembly. In an important feature, the insulative layer is generally nonporous and has high hardness, and thus exhibits excellent wear resistance. The intermediate and insulative layers are deposited by a chemical vapor deposition process known as the “Bernex” process that results in a very hard, generally nonporous coating.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventors: Srimathy Raghavan, Raghavan Krishnaswamy
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Patent number: 6163004Abstract: When a projection nut is brought into an intended position, in order that welding may be completed with the nut kept at accurate posture and the nut fed in correct position, a recess (21) is formed at the leading end of a feed rod (20), the feed rod (20) is moved back in a direction almost orthogonal to the axial line of an electrode, and when the feed rod (20) is stopped, a guide pin (13) of an electrode (11) gets into a screw hole (26) of a projection nut (25), and then the feed rod (20) is restored to determine the position of the nut (25), then the other electrode (19) advances to complete the welding.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Yoshitaka AoyamaInventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
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Patent number: 6089617Abstract: A fluid connector system for connecting a tubular device such as a conduit having a fluid-bearing capability to a channel port having a fluid-bearing capability in a planar surface, thereby providing a substantially leak-free fluid communication between the conduit and the channel port. The conduit bore communicates with a conduit outlet located in a surface region on the outlet end of the conduit. Located within the outlet end surface region is a weld projection. The channel port is located in a receiver portion of a planar surface and communicates with a channel . A port surface region on the exterior of the planar surface encompasses the channel port. The outlet end surface region and the port surface region are complementary in that they may be superimposed so as to co-locate the conduit outlet and the channel port. The leading edge of the conduit outlet is oriented to contact the port surface region so as to define a line of contact.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Stephen R. Craig, James A. Bristow
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Patent number: 6054668Abstract: A process and apparatus for projection welding of overlapping nonferrous sheets, particularly thin aluminum sheets. One of the sheets is provided with a projection therein, and the sheets are positioned so that the tip of the projection contacts a surface of the other sheet. The sheets are not subjected to surface pretreatment to remove the surface oxides therefrom. A projection welding head assembly is positioned with the electrode thereof engaged with one of the sheets, and the other sheet is positioned against a stationary backup or electrode. The electrode of the welding head imposes, in rapid time succession, a series of welding pulses to the overlapping contacting sheets. The series of welding pulses includes two and preferably three pulses which progressively step up in amperage to provide for precise control of the heating of the projection and the associated contact area on the other sheet to cause heating to the plastic state, and then forging (i.e.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1997Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Newcor, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Van Otteren, Samuel E. Lewis, Darin M. Gilbert
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Patent number: 6037558Abstract: An integrated projection welding head and drive assembly which has a pressure drive device moving an electrode head assembly into contact with one of the workpieces projection weld two workpieces together. A force generation unit biasing the electrode assembly outwardly of the drive device is housed in the drive device.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Newcor, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Geiermann, Barry Borsenik
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Patent number: 6008463Abstract: In an electrode for welding with a retractable guide pin so received in a guide hole of the electrode that air blows out from a gap between the guide hole and the guide pin as the guide pin is pushed in to prevent intervention of foreign matters between an end face of an electrode and a steel sheet part or at a sliding portion of the guide pin, a large-diameter hole (33) and a small-diameter hole (34) are provided at a portion through which passes a small-diameter portion (7) of the guide pin (6) so as to form a receiving face (35) with the difference in diameter between the two, and an exhaust passage is provided near the receiving face (35) to establish communication between the large-diameter hole (33) and outside of the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
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Patent number: 5988703Abstract: A fluid connector system for connecting a conduit having a fluid-bearing capability to a channel having a fluid-bearing capability in a planar manifold assembly, thereby providing a substantially leak-free fluid communication between the conduit and the channel. A preferred embodiment of the fluid connector system is effective for connecting a conduitto a planar manifold situated in a sample analysis system. The conduit is located in a fluid-handling functional device and communicates with a device port located in a port surface region on the fluid handling functional device. Located within the port surface region, and encircling the first port, is a weld projection. The channel is located in a receiver portion of a planar assembly and communicates with a manifold port. A port surface region on the exterior of the planar assembly encompasses the manifold port. The port surface regions are complementary in that they may be superimposed so as to co-locate the device port and the manifold port.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: Stephen R. Craig
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Patent number: 5895584Abstract: A guide pin of a movable electrode is inserted into a hole of a nut fed to an intermediate position between a fixed electrode and the movable electrode, and the movable electrode is then moved down together with the nut to position the nut on a portion to be welded of a workpiece overlying the fixed electrode. An air passage is formed inside of the guide pin. A plurality of air outlets are formed on the periphery of the tip of the guide pin. A pressurized air is supplied to the air passage and is then blown out of the air outlets, so that a blow of the pressurized air is given to the bottom surface of the nut thereby preventing fallout of the nut.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Seki Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kouji Sakota
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Patent number: 5872348Abstract: A method for forming a projection for projection welding includes the steps of: bending a workpiece such that a first end side portion located on one side of the bent portion is perpendicular to a second portion that is located on the opposite side of the bent portion, and pressing the workpiece between a punch and a V-shaped groove of a die. The pressing of the workpiece causes the first portion to the further bent toward the second portion until the inboard surface of the first portion is brought into contact with the second portion. During the pressing step, the outboard surface of the first portion is brought into contact with one surface of the groove while an end surface of the first portion is brought into contact with a second surface of the groove, with the thicknesses of the first portion and the second portion of the workpiece being plastically changed.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1997Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Motoki Watanabe, Yoshiaki Kadoma, Satoshi Kanda, Satoshi Shionoya
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Patent number: 5783794Abstract: The present invention relates to a resistance welding method suitable for use in spot welding between a steel-base metal sheet, which has been plated for rust prevention purposes, and an aluminum-base metal sheet and aims to permit a current to flow at a high density across the plated steel sheet and the aluminum-clad steel sheet, thereby realizing high-quality welding.An aluminum-clad steel sheet comprised of a steel layer having projections and an aluminum layer is interposed between the plated steel sheet and the aluminum-base metal sheet to be welded to each other. An electrode is energized by a predetermined weld current from an alternating power supply. The current path is limited to the area of the projections, and metallic melt formed by melting of the plating is accommodated between the projections, preventing the current-carrying area from being increased.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1997Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hatsuhiko Oikawa, Yasuo Takahashi, Tohru Saito, Yutaka Okuda, Kazuo Narita, Fuminori Matsuda, Katsutoshi Ueno, Goro Watanabe
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Patent number: 5633093Abstract: An apparatus for balancing an aluminum drive shaft uses a transition material to attach steel counterweights to the aluminum drive shaft. The transition material is disposed between an outer surface of the aluminum drive shaft and an inner surface of the steel counterweights. A resistance welding process is then applied to the aluminum drive shaft, the steel counterweights, and the transition material to resistance weld the inner surface of the steel counterweights to the outer surface of the aluminum drive shaft. The transition material has a first surface adjacent to the aluminum drive shaft and a second surface adjacent to the steel counterweights, with the first surface being aluminum and the second surface being steel. In a method of balancing an aluminum drive shaft, a resistance welding process is applied to the aluminum drive shaft, the steel counterweights, and the transition material to resistance weld the inner surface of the steel counterweights to the outer surface of the aluminum drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1994Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Donald A. Rhoda, Jeffrey A. Dutkiewicz, Jerry E. Gould, Anthony M. Cox, James T. Reynolds
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Patent number: 5589087Abstract: The process described serves for producing a steel mold for concrete paving setts with so-called spacers, the individual mold chambers being cut out of a steel plate by flame cutting. Grooves are formed in the mold walls by means of the flame-cutting jet, by way of an arcuate movement of the same, the grooves defining the cross section of the spacers. The upper section of the grooves is filled in that closure platelets, of which the cross section corresponds approximately to the cross section of the groove and which exhibit welding projections on their side directed towards the groove, are welded into the groove by projection welding. The closure platelets consist of a strain-hardened unalloyed or low-alloyed steel.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1995Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: Rampf Formen GmbHInventor: Guenter Burger
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Patent number: 5541384Abstract: A method of joining a ball member to an end of a cylindrical matrix plunger body by resistance welding thereby to make a plunger for use in a directional control valve for controlling fluid communication in said valve is disclosed. A resistance welder for the method has a pair of electrodes. The ball member is placed in contact with a conical recess within the matrix plunger body and with a conforming surface of one of said electrodes so as to form a circular first contact between the ball member and the matrix plunger body and a spherical second contact between the ball member and the one electrode such that electrical contact resistance at the first contact is greater than that at the second contact. Then, an electric current at a constant rate flows for a controlled period of time through the first and second contacts with the ball member which is kept in contact with the matrix plunger body under pressure by the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki SeisakushoInventors: Toshihiko Tsuzuki, Yasuo Kotetsu, Mitsuhiro Kanou
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Patent number: 5521349Abstract: A projection welding method which comprises providing in either one of a first member and a second member to be welded a plurality of projections projecting toward the other member, supplying a current between the first and second members to melt the plurality of projections, and welding the first and second members. The plurality of projections are composed of projections having a plurality of kinds with different heights. Furthermore, with reference to the plurality of projections, concave grooves in which a molten product flows are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1994Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: Nippon CorporationInventors: Kenjiro Okamoto, Kuniyasu Iwazaki, Kihachiro Ohta
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Patent number: 5508488Abstract: This invention is intended to secure a fused area which is as large as possible in fixing a flanged bolt in position by projection welding. A welding method characterized by forming a flange 3 with a flat bulge 4 having a crest 5 and enlarging the melting starting at the crest 5 throughout the bulge while pressing the crest 5 against a mating member 7. And the flange and the mating member are strongly clamped between a fixed electrode 6 and a movable electrode 8. As for the shape of the bulge, it may be tapered, spherical or the like. Further, the diameter of the bulge 4 is set so that it is greater than the diameter of the bolt stem 2.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1994Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
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Patent number: RE35914Abstract: A part is kept on standby so that it can be reliably held by a feed rod. An auxiliary feed rod is provided with an arrangement for holding a part at a fixed position in advance. The part is stopped on the advance and retraction axis of a main feed rod by the advance movement of the auxiliary feed rod where the part transferred and is held on the main feed rod.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Inventor: Yoshitaka Aoyama