Combined Patents (Class 228/18)
  • Publication number: 20090090767
    Abstract: A method, with an associated system, for providing a cast component comprises annealing heat treatment to reduce casting stresses; initial machining the cast component; initial nondestructive testing (NDT) the machined cast component to identify NDT indications in the cast component; treating and removing NDT indications from the machined cast component; weld upgrading the treated and removed NDT indications from the machined cast component, the weld upgrading providing stress relief; intermediate nondestructive testing the cast component to identify NDT indications in the weld upgraded cast component; normalizing and temper heat treatment of the cast component; second intermediate nondestructive testing the cast component to identify NDT indications in the cast component; further treating and removing NDT indications from the cast component; post-normalization and temper weld upgrading the treated and removed NDT indications providing stress relief; and final nondestructive testing the cast component to iden
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory K. Bouse, Ronald R. Cairo, Gregory A. Crum
  • Publication number: 20090084831
    Abstract: In a case of soldering for mounting a device on a printed circuit board, a printed circuit board to which a device is soldered is heated in a high oxygen concentration atmosphere to form oxide films on surfaces of joints, by which detachment of a device soldered onto the surface of the printed circuit board, positional deviation, and rise from the printed circuit board at the time of reflow of the printed circuit board are prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tetsuji Ishikawa, Osamu Saito
  • Publication number: 20090057373
    Abstract: A multi-purpose end effector for a welding robot includes a base plate mounted on a robot and carrying a plurality of tools including a welder, a cleaning wheel for cleaning a workpiece, and a buffing wheel for buffing the weld. The tools are arranged in serial order on the base plate beginning with the cleaning wheel to clean workpieces, then the welder for welding the workpieces, and then the buffing wheel to buff the weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Ayad K. Darzi, Robert L. Keyes
  • Publication number: 20090039141
    Abstract: A wire cleaning system for cleaning wire configured to be wirebonded is provided. The wire cleaning system includes a chamber through which a wire configured to be wirebonded extends prior to the wire being wirebonded. The wire cleaning system also includes an energy source for removing contamination from the wire in the chamber prior to the wire being wirebonded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: KULICKE AND SOFFA INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Horst Clauberg, Ronald J. Focia, David T. Beatson, Kenneth Kyle Dury
  • Publication number: 20080295686
    Abstract: A reflow apparatus for solder joining electronic components to a substrate includes a reflow chamber, a conveyor to convey a substrate within the chamber, at least one heating element to provide heat to reflow solder on the substrate, and at least one system to remove contaminants generated from the reflow solder. The system is coupled with the chamber for passage of a vapor stream from the chamber through the system. The system comprises a contaminant collection unit in fluid communication with the vapor stream. The contaminant collection unit includes a coil and a collection container. The coil is configured to receive cooled gas therein. The arrangement is such that when introducing cooled gas in the coil, contaminants in the vapor stream condense on the coil, and when ceasing the introduction of cooled gas in the coil, contaminants in the vapor stream are released from the coil and collected in the collection container. Other embodiments and methods for removing contaminants are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John Neiderman, Rita Mohanty, Marc C. Apell, Azhar Qureshi, Giovanni Filippelli
  • Publication number: 20080272112
    Abstract: To hard-solder parts to be joined along a common joint, the parts are heated by a heat source e.g. a laser beam (3). Melted solder (7) that is stored in a container (6) is then introduced into the joint. Joints can be filled with solder in this manner at higher speed and the solidified solder surface is practically devoid of pores, thus permitting the priming or painting of said parts without the need for subsequent treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Soutec Soudronic AG
    Inventor: Werner Urech
  • Publication number: 20080237302
    Abstract: The camera module structure (10) of the present invention is arranged such that a board electrode (2) of a printed board (1) and a mounting electrode (4) of a camera module (3) mounted on the printed board (1) are joined with each other through a solder joint section (5), and the board electrode (2) and the mounting electrode (4) are aligned by self-alignment. The solder joint section (5) includes a solder section (16) for solder-joining, and a supporting section (17) for supporting the camera module (3). The present invention realizes a solder mounting structure wherein a heavy-weight component is joined on the board with solder by self-alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20080237309
    Abstract: Residual tensile stresses can be mitigated through methods and systems provided by the present invention. Such a method can include securing a metal member (10) to a substrate and at least partially surrounding a portion of the metal member (10) with a cooling fluid (18). As a result, the cooled portion of the metal member (10) contracts a predetermined amount. Once cooled, the metal member may be fixed, preferably welded, to another metal member in a constrained relationship. As the portion of the metal member is returned to its original temperature, expansion of the metal member acts to mitigate residual tensile stresses in the metal assembly. Tensile stress in restrained members, cambering, and structural deformation can be readily controlled in an assembled structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: William A. Komlos, Lawrence D. Reaveley
  • Publication number: 20080217380
    Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus to apply pressure to a heated or weld region of a workpiece to relieve residual stress and distortion. In illustrated embodiments, heat is supplied via a probe that traverses a workpiece to heat a region of the workpiece. Pressure is applied to the heated region following the application of heat. In illustrated embodiments, pressure is supplied via a roller assembly, which is configured to traverse the workpiece to apply pressure to the heated or weld regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: David Y. Chua, James L. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20080185421
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the reflow soldering of printed circuit board assemblies provided with solder paste in a sealed chamber with heating in the chamber. In a first process step, the pressure in the chamber is amplified in comparison with the atmospheric pressure and the temperature in the chamber is increased by convection heating to melt the solder paste and, in a second process step, the pressure is again lowered to atmospheric pressure in controlled manner while maintaining the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: SEHO Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Ludwig Diehm, Markus Walter, Horst Lettner
  • Publication number: 20080169335
    Abstract: One embodiment of a welding apparatus includes a stationary welding device that defines a stationary weld zone, and a support that moves a weld member through the stationary weld zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: Terrance J. Aarnio
  • Publication number: 20080116245
    Abstract: A welding apparatus for welding a workpiece includes a welding-containment box of sufficient size to contain the workpiece at a welding position, and a welder disposed within the welding-containment box to be operable on the workpiece at the welding position. A heating apparatus includes four heaters disposed within the welding-containment box. Each heater has a lamp aimed at the welding position, and a heater support upon which the lamp is mounted. The heater support includes a slide that controllably moves the lamp toward and away from the welding position. Each lamp preferably includes a light source having a light output, and a reflector having a reflecting surface disposed to reflect an incident portion of the light output of the light source toward the welding position. The reflector preferably has an aluminum-alloy substrate, and a chromium-reflecting surface contacting the substrate and disposed to reflect an incident portion of the light output of the light source toward the welding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jose A. Garza, Barrie L. Goodacre, Renaul A. Amador
  • Publication number: 20080023525
    Abstract: A bonding apparatus capable of efficiently performing surface treatment using microplasma and a bonding process to an object to be bonded including a plasma capillary having a tubular plasma capillary main body made of an insulating body, a cylindrical external electrode provided outside the tubular plasma capillary main body, a linear internal electrode provided at the center of the inside of the tubular plasma capillary main body, and a seal gas nozzle provided at the outer circumference of the tubular plasma capillary main body. Microplasma produced within the plasma capillary is sprayed from the main body opening, and performs the surface treatment to a bonding pad while being sealed from an ambient air by a seal gas flow sprayed from the annular opening. In conjunction with the surface treatment, bonding is performed using a bonding capillary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Toru Maeda, Kazuo Fujita
  • Patent number: 6455172
    Abstract: A method for producing a laminated metal ribbon comprises the steps of (a) vapor-depositing a third metal layer on at least one welding surface of a first metal ribbon 4 and a second metal ribbon 5 in a vacuum chamber 1, the third metal being the same as or different from a metal or an alloy of the first and second metal ribbons 4, 5; (b) pressure-welding the first metal ribbon 4 to the second metal ribbon 5; and (c) subjecting the resultant laminate 9 to a heat treatment for thermal diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Yano, Noboru Hanai
  • Patent number: 6294759
    Abstract: A soldering station system for transporting, utilizing, and storing the unique tools required for soldering electrical wiring assemblies, printed circuit boards, and other small electronic sub-assemblies is provided. The soldering station system includes a tool case with a bottom portion, a plurality of side portions, and a top portion, a tool pallet assembly which is coupled to an interior surface of the tool case, the tool pallet has a plurality of interior recesses, and a plurality of tools adapted for working on electronic assemblies and positioned in the interior recesses of the tool pallet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Jesse A. Dunn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5992729
    Abstract: A first component is soldered to a second component by placing the first component on the second component with solder therebetween, then ultrasonically vibrating at least one of the first and second components to thereby tack the solder to at least one of the first and second components, and by reflowing the solder. Ultrasonic vibration of at least one of the first and second components to thereby tack the solder is preferably performed for less than one second. A component placer places the first component on the second component with solder therebetween. An ultrasonic vibrator ultrasonically vibrates at least one of the placed first and second components, to thereby tack the solder to at least one of the placed first and second components. A solder reflower reflows the tacked solder to thereby solder the first component to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: MCNC
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Koopman, Sundeep Nangalia
  • Patent number: 5377899
    Abstract: Of two sheet-like solder stocks, one sheet-like solder stock is fed at a constant speed, and additive particles having a constant particle diameter are spread on an upper surface of the one solder material sheet in a quantitative fixed quantity. The other sheet-like solder stock is stacked on the upper surface of the one sheet-like solder stock, and the two stacked solder stocks are rolled and integrally laminated by rollers. The laminated solder sheet is cut into a plurality of narrow solder strips. Each of the solder strips is wound on a reel, and supplied as a die bonding material capable of being used for the die bonding. Thus, if this solder is used for a semiconductor chip die bonding, the unevenness in thickness of the solder layer directly under the die-bonded semiconductor chip becomes small, and it is possible to minimize the error in the semiconductor chip recognition in the case of the wire bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuru Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5328084
    Abstract: A muffle furnace assembly for brazing aluminum heat exchanger workparts comprises a tubular muffle having a workpart conveyer extending therethrough. A pair of fans disposed inside the muffle circulate high temperature atmosphere through the workparts. The muffle is surrounded by an insulative outer shell spaced to form an interstitial cavity therebetween. High temperature combustion gasses are directed into the interstitial cavity and flow in a helical path about the muffle. Louvers are provided in the muffle, between the workparts and the fans, for regulating the amount of inert gas flow within the muffle. Inlet and exit vestibules usher workparts into and out of the furnace assembly to minimize oxygen contamination within the muffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Halstead, Brian L. Barten
  • Patent number: 5246157
    Abstract: A tweezer-type heating device for installation and removal device of electronic components with respect to a substrate, such as for SMC installation and through hole installation or removal. More specifically, a handheld tweezer-type heating device is provided in which a wide variety of different sized (and shaped) tips can be used with a high degree of accuracy in terms of thermo/mechanical contact. Tolerances in the parts of the handpiece, the assembly, the heaters and the tips that may bring the bottom edges of the tips out of their alignment plane are very easily corrected with an adjustable hinge which, by loosening of a screw and sliding the parts with respect to each other, allows proper alignment to be achieved. Still further, a thumb screw is provided at the back of the handpiece to allow the gap between the tips to be slightly opened or closed. This is useful in accommodating tolerances in the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Pace, Incorporated
    Inventor: William J. Siegel
  • Patent number: 5205470
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for superplastic and diffusion bonding of hollow metal parts which are generally surfaces of rotation. A hollow frangible ceramic die having an interior shaping surface is provided. A metal part to be shaped is placed against the shaping surface (together with any other metal components to be diffusion bonded to the part during forming) and the remainder of the die is covered with sheet metal pieces, all of which are sealed together and to the part to form a gas-tight enclosure for the die. The enclosure is flushed with an inert gas and/or evacuated through an opening in the enclosure. The assembly is placed in an autoclave and exposed to an appropriate pressure and temperature to superplastic form the part outwardly against the shaping surface. The assembly is cooled and removed from the autoclave, then the enclosure is removed. The die is broken away, freeing the formed part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert C. Cadwell
  • Patent number: 5195673
    Abstract: A convection braze furnace for brazing aluminum heat exchangers in an inert gas rich atmosphere includes entrance and exit vestibules forming atmosphere barriers of suspended stainless steel strips. The interior of the braze furnace is divided into multiple zones for progressively heating the heat exchangers to a brazing temperature and then cooling the heat exchangers in the final zone. An impeller circulates the heated intent gas atmosphere within each zone to accelerate heat transfer. A chain type conveyor supports the heat exchangers as they are moved through the braze furnace. An isolated return tube surrounds the lower return side of the conveyor chain as it passes through the braze furnace. The braze furnace housing is comprised of inner and outer shells having an inert gas pressurized interstitial cavity therebetween. The inner shell includes a plurality of expansion strips having generally ellipsoidal corner expansion joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Irish, Gary A. Halstead, Brian L. Barten
  • Patent number: 5174489
    Abstract: A mechanical clamping device adapted to engage and secure the upper tooling of a welding knee. The clamping device is motor driven such that several clamping devices can be simultaneously and synchronously operated to engage, align and secure the upper tooling from a remote location. The clamping device includes a clamping lever actuated by a cam mechanism. The clamping lever has an upper end provided with a cam follower, a lower engagement end for engaging the tooling, and a journalling region. The engagement end is adapted to closely engage a corresponding feature on the tooling. The journalling region of the clamping lever is slidably journalled in a bushing which includes a biasing member for biasing the cam follower against the cam mechanism. The clamping lever is pivotably attached by the bushing to the cam mechanism which serves to both rotate the clamping lever and bushing together and stroke the clamping lever within the bushing to secure the upper tooling to the welding knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Utica Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur C. Mason
  • Patent number: 5172848
    Abstract: A convection braze furnace for brazing aluminum heat exchangers in an inert gas rich atmosphere includes entrance and exit vestibules forming atmosphere barriers of suspended stainless steel strips. The interior of the braze furnace is divided into multiple zones for progressively heating the heat exchangers to a brazing temperature and then cooling the heat exchangers in the final zone. An impeller circulates the heated inert gas atmosphere within each zone to accelerate heat transfer. A chain type conveyor supports the heat exchangers as they are moved through the braze furnace. An isolated return tube surrounds the lower return side of the conveyor chain as it passes through the braze furnace. The braze furnace housing is comprised of inner and outer shells having an inert gas pressurized cavity interstitial therebetween. The inner shell includes a plurality of expansion strips having generally ellipsoidal corner expansion joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Barten, Gary A. Halstead
  • Patent number: 5172847
    Abstract: A convection braze furnace for brazing aluminum heat exchangers in an inert gas rich atmosphere includes entrance and exit vestibules forming atmosphere barriers of suspended stainless steel strips. The interior of the braze furnace is divided into multiple zones for progressively heating the heat exchangers to a brazing temperature and then cooling the heat exchangers in the final zone. An impeller circulates the heated inert gas atmosphere within each zone to accelerate heat transfer. A chain type conveyor supports the heat exchangers as they are moved through the braze furnace. An isolated return tube surrounds the lower return side of the conveyor chain as it passes through the braze furnace. The braze furnace housing is comprised of inner and outer shells having an inert gas pressurized cavity interstitial therebetween. The inner shell includes a plurality of expansion strips having generally ellipsoidal corner expansion joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Barten, Gary A. Halstead
  • Patent number: 5172849
    Abstract: A convection braze furnace for brazing aluminum heat exchangers in an inert gas rich atmosphere includes entrance and exit vestibules forming atmosphere barriers of suspended stainless steel strips. The interior of the braze furnace is divided into multiple zones for progressively heating the heat exchangers to a brazing temperature and then cooling the heat exchangers in the final zone. An impeller circulates the heated inert gas atmosphere within each zone to accelerate heat transfer. A chain type conveyor supports the heat exchangers as they are moved through the braze furnace. An isolated return tube surrounds the lower return side of the conveyor chain as it passes through the braze furnace. The braze furnace housing is comprised of inner and outer shells having an inert gas pressurized cavity interstitial therebetween. The inner shell includes a plurality of expansion strips having generally ellipsoidal corner expansion joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian L. Barten, Gary A. Halstead
  • Patent number: 5148960
    Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for aligning and guiding the seam of newly formed tube as it enters the welding mechanism in the manufacture of continuous seam-welded metal tubes or pipes. A rotary seam guide member having an alignment fin is mounted so that a alignment fin rollingly engages within the open seam immediately in advance of the seam welding mechanism. The seam guide member and a cooperating opposed roller guide the tube into the welding mechanism. The seam guide and opposed roller are carried within a roll stand including mechanism by which their position may be adjusted vertically and longitudinally relative to the welding mechanism, as well as rotated arcuately about the path of the tube. The seam guide member and/or the opposed roller may include insulating barriers to impede induced heating thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Abbey Etna Machine Company
    Inventors: Nelson D. Abbey, III, Timothy J. Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 5102027
    Abstract: A machine manufactures construction panels which include a plate-shaped heat insulating core, upper and lower wires located closely at opposite sides of the heat insulating core, first and second supporting members inserted in the heat insulating core and the upper and lower wire meshes in an inclined manner opposite to one another and welded to the upper and lower wire meshes. The machine has an intermittently driven conveyor unit, a plurality of spacer angles for stacking the plate-shaped heat insulating core and the upper and lower wire meshes with certain gaps therebetween to form a panel pre-assembly to be mounted on the conveyor unit, a plurality of quick-moving and inserting sections for the first and second supporting members disposed in an inclined manner and opposite to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Inventor: An Se Hong
  • Patent number: 5054679
    Abstract: Apparatus for continuously manufacturing plastic-lined metallic pipe. The apparatus includes an extruder having an output providing a plastic sleeve and further includes a continuous roll-forming tubing mill production line. This production line includes a series of forming rolls which progressively deform a substantially flat steel strip to a generally tubular configuration as the strip move along a straight-line longitudinal path. The production line further includes an electrical resistance or high frequency welder which continuously welds the lateral edges of the moving strip to complete the pipe. The apparatus also includes a feed for the plastic sleeve into the incipient metal pipe upstream of the welder. The plastic sleeve has an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the metallic pipe in its as-formed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Shotts, Raffaele Basile
  • Patent number: 5031816
    Abstract: A system is directed for remotely securing a canopy seal about a broken omega seal site between the control drive mechanism and the adapter tube of a nuclear reactor vessel so as to contain any radioactive leakage therebetween. The system includes a stalk measuring device for initially measuring the diameter of the adapter tube, a split canopy installation fixture which is adjusted according to the measurement detected by the stalk measuring device to position a two-piece canopy seal about the omega seal site, and a robotic weld arm for performing the upper and lower radial welds about the canopy seal as well as C-shaped vertical welds between the two-piece canopy seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Horst Kwech
  • Patent number: 4946088
    Abstract: A bushing forming machine including:a metal strip delivery system including a metal strip wound on a drum; a forming mill for forming the metal strip to a shape; a first conveyer carrying the metal strip to the forming mill; and a punch provided on a passage of the metal strip for cutting the metal strip to a length;a filler delivery system including a filler wound on a drum; a cutter for cutting the filler to a length; a second conveyer carrying the filler to the cutter; a gripper feeder holding and feeding the filler after cut by the cutter;a mold rotatably receiving and driving the metal strip and the filler;a pair of compression rollers being actuated to compress the metal strip and the filler wound on the mold; thea welder radially provided beside the mold for welding the metal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventor: Shyue S. Chuang
  • Patent number: 4846392
    Abstract: A die-drawing and/or extrusion device is described for producing uniform and tapered metal and composite tubes from flatstock and for reducing the size of solid stock and formed tubes therefrom, and lamination of compatable materials in one operation. The die comprises opposed die elements having curved helical tracks or grooves which follow a central orifice through which the flatstock, solid stock, tubes, etc., are pulled and/or pushed. Wedge-shaped shaping and alignment elements are positioned in the helical tracks in contact with the dies to align the feedstock with the die orifice, and to prevent the metal sheet or tube, rod, etc., from being drawn in between the tangential surfaces of the dies. The extent of product taper is determined by the pull rate applied to the feedstock in conjunction with the rotational rate of the dies, which can be varied continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Hinshaw Experimental Laboratories Limited Partnership
    Inventor: John W. Hinshaw
  • Patent number: 4805826
    Abstract: Described herein is a slag removing apparatus suitable for use on a padi-welding machine, which permits automation of the pad-welding operation and which essentially includes: a C-shaped roller holder located beneath a movable welding torch and provided with a rotational drive mechanism for a roller to be padded; a pair of extension arms horizontally extended on the open side of the roller holder and fixed in vertically adjustable positions; a guide rail support member provided with a rack and bridged between the extension arms in parallel relation with the rotational axis of the roller drive mechanism and detachably at least at one end thereof; a carriage having on a rockable plate a drive motor and a pinion disengageably meshed with the rack and movable along the support member; an inclined mount plate provided on the carriage with a predetermined angle of inclination; and a vibrational beating mechanism holding at least one needle bundle with the fore end thereof in face-to-face relation with the welding s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Maruma Jysuharyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasumitsu Moriki, Hirotomo Numakura, Masahiro Sakurai
  • Patent number: 4768698
    Abstract: A X-Y table is disclosed having a table rotatably mounted on a base for movement in the X-Y and .theta. directions. The device includes fine adjustments in both X and Y directions and a quick shear mechanism with means for automatically returning the table to its original position after the quick shear procedure. The table may be used as a stand above unit or particularly for use in installing and removing components from printed circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Pace Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert G. Brown, Robert S. Quasney, William J. Siegel, Louis A. Abbagnaro
  • Patent number: 4729503
    Abstract: An attachment device adapted to be fused to an underwater object which includes a housing having a fuel chamber in generally surrounding relationship to an ignition chamber, a closure normally closed in communication between the chambers, an ignition device which opens the closure and ignites the fuel in the fuel chamber creating a high temperature flame which is directed toward an end of the attachment device resting against an underwater object, the end having a fusion groove for directing the flame against a localized area of the underwater object to render the metal thereof molten, and also having one or more passages for redirecting the molten material back toward the attachment device such that upon solidification, one or more discrete rigidifying bridges of molten metal are formed, and a groove defined by a pair of lips is also positioned adjacent the end for further directing the high temperature medium to achieve effective fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Inventor: Ensi K. J. Niinivaara
  • Patent number: 4721241
    Abstract: A welding apparatus for butt weld joint of steel plates such as steel strips is assembled together with a grinding device, which is combined in one system. The grinding device is so arranged that grinding wheels of this system can be moved along the welded joint following just after the welding torch. The clamping dies for clamping the welding portion of the steel plates are divided sectionally provided with mechanisms for shifting the respective divided clamping dies between a first clamping position during welding and a second clamping position during grinding. The upper unit of the grinding device can be moved along a rail assembly for guiding the welding torch. The lower unit of the grinding device can be moved along a rail assembly for guiding the shearing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Yuasa, Namio Suganuma
  • Patent number: 4634038
    Abstract: An equipment for the manufacture of ring members for vehicle wheels starting from metal plate strip cut lengths, which mainly comprises a cylinder bending station formed by a calender, a welding station formed by two discontinuous type welding machines with rollers (which carry out a so-called "ecrease" welding in which the overall lap joint thickness is reduced plastically to about the thickness of one of the lapped end edges), each having a grasping device, intended for grasping the workpiece, movable between an extracted position, in which it extends into the bending station to grasp the workpiece lying therein, and a retracted position, and a rolling station which comprises a pair of rollers, one of which is driven; the welding station is arranged to move, during the welding step, between a first position, in which the first welding machine faces the bending station, and a second position, in which it faces the subsequent rolling station, and the two welding machines alternate in the two mentioned positio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Inventor: Caprioglio Luigi
  • Patent number: 4597519
    Abstract: An improved lead wire ball bonding machine for bonding wire leads between an integrated circuit chip and the lead frame on which the chip is mounted is provided with a bonding tool position sensor coupled to receive the Z-motion velocity waveform signal to the servo motor which drives the bonding head and bonding tool. This sensor detects the signal level and direction of change or polarity of the Z-motion velocity waveform signal for determining the location of the bonding head and bonding tool. The bonding tool position sensor is coupled and adjusted for generating a first output signal corresponding to a first location of the bonding head and bonding tool during motion downward to the die pad of an integrated circuit chip prior to contact by the bonding tool and lead wire for ball bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Fairchild Camera & Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Kurtz, Donald E. Cousens, Mark D. Dufour
  • Patent number: 4596353
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating electronic components comprises a frame, a lower track mounted on the frame for supporting the components, and an upper track mounted on the frame in a normal operating position above and in spaced-apart parallel relationship to the lower track. The lower and upper tracks define therebetween a path along which the components can pass for treatment. Pusher fingers are provided each having a portion which extends substantially horizontally in such a manner as to be insertable between the tracks and engageable with individual ones of the components. A drive is mounted on the frame for propelling the fingers. The components are held captive between the lower and upper tracks, and the fingers engage individual ones of the components and propel them along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Electrovert, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Dickie, William H. Down, Armin Rahn
  • Patent number: 4593848
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for friction joining metal pieces to an electrical conductor while the conductor is carrying electrical current. The apparatus comprises a spindle adapted to receive and to hold a metal piece in a forward end thereof for rotation against the conductor, and structure is provided for translating the spindle toward and away from the conductor. An air operated motor and flywheel are provided for rotating the spindle, and structure is provided for supporting the apparatus on the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: David E. Hochbein
  • Patent number: 4568013
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and moving tools for fixing a cluster of tubes to the tubular plate (2) of a steam generator, comprising a first running track (25), a carriage (26) movable on this track, a horizontally alignable support (39) resting on the carriage 26, a second running track (43) carried by the support (39) and perpendicular to the track (25), and at least one supporting structure (42) consisting of a base (45) movable on the second running track (43) and carrying a vertical column (46), a tool holder (54) being mounted to move on the column (46) to offer a tool opposite each of the holes in the plate (2) in succession by virtue of a motor driven guiding and displacing elements (53-55) carried by the column (46) and of elements (31, 50,51) for moving the carriage (26) and the structure (42). The invention applies particularly to assembling the steam generator of pressurized-water nuclear reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Framatome & Cie
    Inventors: Michel Morisot, Roland Werle, Jean-Pierre Michaud
  • Patent number: 4555054
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating an optical fiber communication cable are described herein. The optical fiber cable has a cable core including a metal containment tube and at least one optical fiber within the tube. The containment tube preferably is formed by drawing a strip of metal through at least one forming die. In a first aspect of the present invention, smooth operation of the forming die is promoted by first passing the metal strip through a shaving die to remove any shearing burrs along the strip edges and to maintain the width of the strip within a desired tolerance.In a second aspect of the present invention, various approaches for effectively sealing the containment tube are described. In a first embodiment, the tube is sealed using a wave soldering approach wherein a flow of moving molten solder is used to substantially fill a seam in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Winter, Michael J. Pryor
  • Patent number: 4314521
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for treating, primarily cleaning, underwater surfaces of fixed or floating constructions for example, ships' hulls. In the method according to the invention, the treatment or cleaning device, which is rotatably driven by a motor, is wholly or partially insulated from the surrounding water by a medium which is fed to the vicinity of the device. The apparatus according to the invention includes a channel and a connection for supplying the insulating medium in the vicinity of the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Assignee: Trelleborg Marin Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Hans G. Lundberg
  • Patent number: 4300272
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semi-automatic processing system for the production of components requiring the deposition of metallization and assembly in an oil free ultra-high vacuum environment. The system is comprised of a plurality of interconnected tubular high vacuum chambers for separately performing ultra-violet cleaning, bake out, plating and sealing of, for example, quartz crystal resonator units, in an in-line configuration adapted for continuous cycle processing of components. The major elements of the system include: (a) a belt type transport which is adapted to convey one or more components through the respective chamber and into an adjoining chamber through an intermediate gate valve; (b) manipulators for handling the component parts inside the vacuum chambers; (c) long life highly directional evaporation sources for evaporated metal deposition on selected component parts; and (d) a sealing apparatus for hermetically sealing the components after evaporation without exposure to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Erich Hafner, Robert J. Ney
  • Patent number: 4269870
    Abstract: Electrical and electronic components loosely mounted in a circuit board with their leads extending through holes in the board are temporarily stabilized in position in the board by treating the board and component leads at least in part with a selected material in liquid state, and hardening the material to form a solid, solder-compatible, non-metallic cement having a melting point below that of solder, coupling the board and leads to one another. The component leads may then be trimmed to finish length, and the components soldered in place. Alternatively the board may be placed in storage for future soldering. The cement is melted and displaced simultaneously with soldering. Preferred as cement are naturally occurring and synthetic waxes having a melting point in the range of about 120.degree.195.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Boynton
  • Patent number: 4213558
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing clad metal plate employing a continuous casting apparatus. Sheet metal cladding is fed onto one or both faces of the hot solidified continuously cast strip being withdrawn from the casting means and the assembly is then passed to a hot roll bonding system for cladding. A method of producing clad aluminum or aluminum alloy according to the above process is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignees: Sumitomo Aluminum Smelting Company, Ltd., Nihon Atsuen Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Koei Hirobe, Kiyomi Yanagida, Tadashi Hirokane, Akihiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4191319
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing zinc coated steel tubing from zinc coated steel strip. The zinc lost by volatilization during welding of the seam is replaced in a two-stage metallizing process. In the first stage an aluminum alloy is spray atomized onto the tubing. The alloy contains from 0.45 to 0.95 weight percent iron, no more than 0.10 weight percent silicon, and the remainder aluminum with associated trace elements. Thereafter, in the second stage, zinc is spray atomized over the aluminum alloy-coated substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: J. Charles Headrick, Robert C. Peel, R. Emory Starnes
  • Patent number: 4190186
    Abstract: Apparatus for preparing two tubes to be welded together at their ends and for placing the ends in opposed, abutting relationship for welding. The apparatus includes means for annealing a portion or length of each tube, and means for stretching the portion or length of each tube for straightening purposes after it is annealed. In addition, the apparatus includes means for severing an end portion of the annealed length of each tube to provide two annealed tube ends for abutting and welding together. Further, the apparatus includes means for forcing the abutting ends of the tubes together in a manner that will upset the material of the tube ends during welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Leonard J. Flowers, Melvin R. Fahnestock, James L. MacIntosh
  • Patent number: 4162757
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for continuously and automatically forming a fastening material in the form of a sheet or strip containing a multitude of filament-like fastening formations protruding from at least one surface thereof and capable of hooking engagement with similar or differently configured formations provided in a second sheet or strip. In one form, the filamentary formations are continuously or intermittently molded in a plurality of preformed strips of plastic which may be extrusion formed as they are fed or fed from a plurality of coils thereof and the filament containing strips are twisted 90.degree. after the filamentary formations are molded therein to bring the edges of each strip into abutment with the edges or edge portions of adjacent strips whereafter they are continuously welded or otherwise fastened together to form a sheet-like array of strips containing a plurality of parallel rows of filamentary formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1979
    Inventor: Jerome H. Lemelson
  • Patent number: 4127692
    Abstract: A printed circuit board has a coating comprising a selected deformable material which is solder-compatible, and has a melting point below that of solder. Electrical and electronic components are then loaded in position on the board with their leads extending through holes in the board, and imbedded into or through the coating. The coating acts as a jig to steady or stabilize the components in position in the board so that the component leads may then be trimmed to finish length, and the components are then soldered in place. Alternatively the board may be placed in storage for future soldering operation. The coating is melted and displaced simultaneously with soldering. Preferred as coating material are naturally occurring and synthetic waxes having a melting point in the range of about 120.degree.-195.degree. F. In a preferred embodiment of the invention compatible flux active agents are intermixed with the coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: Hollis Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Boynton
  • Patent number: 4113166
    Abstract: An improvement in the process and apparatus for converting molten metal, especially steel, into a finished product by first converting the molten metal into thin layers which are superimposed on one another while hot and pressure welding the layers into a unitary body that is particularly adapted for hot or cold shaping into a final size and shape, with the advantage of accelerating the cooling of the molten metal and obtaining the improved grain structure and more nearly uniform distribution of alloying ingredients obtainable from rapid solidification of the molten steel to a solid, comprises forming several separate layers from a common heat of molten metal, simultaneously or successively pressure welding utilizing the layers into a unitary body in a single pressure welding station, in contrast to methods of and apparatus for producing a product from several layers requiring a separate casting unit for each separate layer or thickness and also requiring a pair of pressure rolls for each separate added layer
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventor: Erik A. Olsson