By Localized Projection Patents (Class 219/93)
  • Patent number: 6878897
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Practical Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Tod Michael Landis
  • Patent number: 6875946
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha SMK
    Inventor: Masato Hidaka
  • Patent number: 6864014
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Tokin Tochigi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Sasaki, Yasuyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6827537
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: James Norman, Joseph Roman, Paul Albrecht, James Herring
  • Patent number: 6825436
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20040149693
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: James Franklin Hengel, David P. Kelly, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 6770835
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James Franklin Hengel, David P. Kelly, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 6765170
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Chen, Chi-Mou Ni, Michael Gerard Poss, Alexander Michael Turley, Daniel C. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6765171
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James Franklin Hengel, David P. Kelly, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20040112872
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Chen, Chi-Mou Ni, Michael Gerard Poss, Alexander Michael Turley, Daniel C. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 6740840
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Feng Cao, James Norman
  • Patent number: 6706991
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 6703577
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Stoppek
  • Patent number: 6654995
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Michael Gerard Poss
  • Patent number: 6653590
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Yoshitaka Aoyama
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20030213779
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Masato Hidaka
  • Patent number: 6637091
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Mad Partners
    Inventors: P. David Halstead, Garry W. McNabb, David E. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030192862
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Robert T. Thornton, Jerry D. Ramsden, Joseph Nida, Pei-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 6624379
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Thornton, Jerry D. Ramsden, Joseph Nida, Jr., Pei-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20030127432
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20030106879
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicants: Newcor, Inc., Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
  • Patent number: 6576859
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Doben Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Martin Cabanaw
  • Patent number: 6555777
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Stoppek
  • Patent number: 6548780
    Abstract: A technique for resistance welding an attachment such as a collar or base ring to a tank head section by causing welding current to flow through weld protrusions disposed on the attachment and which are pressed against the tank section. Electrodes are contacted to the attachment and the tank section in such a manner to provide for substantially equal welding current paths through the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Manchester Tank and Equipment Company
    Inventor: Arthur L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6525290
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Shimbori, Chiharu Umetsu, Kouji Nakamura, Hiroshi Mizukami, Naoki Ueno
  • Patent number: 6506998
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignees: Newcor, Inc., Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
  • Patent number: 6455801
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Arplas Projects BV
    Inventor: Tom Jansen Bramervaer
  • Publication number: 20020117479
    Abstract: A technique for resistance welding an attachment such as a collar or base ring to a tank head section by causing welding current to flow through weld protrusions disposed on the attachment and which are pressed against the tank section. Electrodes are contacted to the attachment and the tank section in such a manner to provide for substantially equal welding current paths through the protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Arthur L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6407357
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph P. Bellino, Robert R. Leclair
  • Patent number: 6373021
    Abstract: A method for forming an electrical resistance weld between a metal tube and a metal sheet is disclosed. In the method, a plurality of generally circular protrusions having generally triangular cross sections is formed upon the sheet. Thereafter, electrodes are utilized to flex the tube, while an electrical current is generated for electric resistance welding the sheet to the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, Ningjian Huang
  • Patent number: 6369344
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Cutting & Wear Developments, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Alexander Russell, Frederick Brian Russell
  • Publication number: 20010035398
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Newcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
  • Patent number: 6303893
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Perks MFG Engineering Company
    Inventor: David L. Perks
  • Patent number: 6281466
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignees: Newcor, Inc., Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Robert G. VanOtteren, Edward P. Patrick, Donald J. Spinella
  • Patent number: 6175097
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventors: Srimathy Raghavan, Raghavan Krishnaswamy
  • Patent number: 6163004
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Yoshitaka Aoyama
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 6089617
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Stephen R. Craig, James A. Bristow
  • Patent number: 6054668
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Newcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Van Otteren, Samuel E. Lewis, Darin M. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 6037558
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Newcor, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Geiermann, Barry Borsenik
  • Patent number: 6008463
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 5988703
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Stephen R. Craig
  • Patent number: 5895584
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Seki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouji Sakota
  • Patent number: 5872348
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motoki Watanabe, Yoshiaki Kadoma, Satoshi Kanda, Satoshi Shionoya
  • Patent number: 5783794
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hatsuhiko Oikawa, Yasuo Takahashi, Tohru Saito, Yutaka Okuda, Kazuo Narita, Fuminori Matsuda, Katsutoshi Ueno, Goro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5633093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Rhoda, Jeffrey A. Dutkiewicz, Jerry E. Gould, Anthony M. Cox, James T. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5589087
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Rampf Formen GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Burger
  • Patent number: 5541384
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshihiko Tsuzuki, Yasuo Kotetsu, Mitsuhiro Kanou
  • Patent number: 5521349
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Corporation
    Inventors: Kenjiro Okamoto, Kuniyasu Iwazaki, Kihachiro Ohta
  • Patent number: 5508488
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: RE35914
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Aoyama