Including Means To Force Or Clamp Work Portions Together During Bonding Patents (Class 228/44.3)
  • Patent number: 7841504
    Abstract: An assembly for positioning a structural assembly for friction stir welding, and a system and method for friction stir welding the structural assembly are provided. The assembly includes a substrate defining a recessed pattern therein, and at least one structural member positioned within the recessed pattern to at least partially secure the structural member therein. The structural member is positioned adjacent to the substrate and within the recessed pattern such that the substrate and structural member are formed of materials capable of being friction stir welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin T. Slattery, Christopher H. Swallow
  • Patent number: 7837084
    Abstract: Adjustable, elongate, beam-offset jig structure for assisting in welding a pair of beam-end, column-interface components to the opposite ends of an elongate beam. The jig structure includes spaced, adjustable head-stock and tail-stock structures, each capable of holding such a component adjacent a beam end for adjustment to an infinite number of different, pre-weld angular-offset dispositions relative to such a beam end in order to accommodate planned horizontal and vertical beam offsets which will be encountered when such beams are installed in a building frame. A computer-controlled, robotic welder is preferably provided adjacent each end of the jig structure to implement appropriate welding when any and all offset angles have been jig-established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: ConXtech, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Simmons
  • Patent number: 7828194
    Abstract: Plate members 17 are respectively rested on first and second tables IA and IB relatively movable toward and away from each other. The plate members 17 are caused to abut against reference positioning members 16a and 16b of reference positioning devices protruded ahead of and over opposing ends 1? of the tables IA and IB so that opposing ends of the plate members 17 are positioned in protrusion ahead of the opposing ends 1? of the tables IA and IB, and the plate members 17 are positioned laterally. Then, the positioned plate members 17 are locked on the tables IA and IB. After the reference positioning devices are retracted, the tables IA and IB are relatively moved toward each other to cause the opposing ends of the plate members 17 to abut together for formation of weld line X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Iimura, Tomoo Mizuno, Katsura Oowaki, Hirotaka Kanazawa, Chikamasa Iwamoto, Toshikazu Yagi, Hirotaka Shirai
  • Publication number: 20100252167
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of material bonding using captive plungers is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a base plate to have multiple holes in an array, multiple captive plungers each surrounded by a compressible spring to couple to the multiple holes in such a way which allows each of the multiple captive plungers to vertically move in a confine of each of the multiple holes corresponding to the each of the multiple captive plungers, and a fastening device to apply a force to bond two or more parts placed on top of each other with a bonding material in between the two or more parts through pressing the base plate to the two or more parts such that the force delivered through the multiple captive plungers to the two or more parts is concentrated to the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ferrari, Curtis Gary Allen, Andrew Dean White
  • Publication number: 20100247949
    Abstract: A method of forming a part that includes a first component and a second component and which two components are diffusion bonded together. The first component is configured as a pressure component and includes a first bond land surface. The second component is configured as a suction component and includes a second bond land surface. A mandrel is provided that includes a first surface having a contour that mates with at least a portion of the first component and a second surface having a contour that mates with at least a portion of the second component. The first and second components are positioned on the mandrel so that the first bond land surface and the second bond land surface are in mating abutment. The first and second components together with the mandrel are positioned in a die assembly. The die assembly including a first die, a second die and a plurality of fastening members for releasably securing the first die to the second die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin VanDyke, Gigi Streeter, Jon Dreher, Larry Leyrer
  • Patent number: 7793819
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a component with a substrate by means of diffusion soldering in a closed evacuated chamber is disclosed. The component and the substrate to be connected are displaceable separate from one another in the chamber, and the chamber comprises a combined transfer and pressing unit being displaceable between the current position of the component and the current position of the substrate, for placing and pressing the component on the substrate. The combined transfer and pressing unit comprises a rotatable element, which, in response to the placing and pressing of the component on the substrate, assumes an angle between the normal of the lower side of the component to be connected and the pressing direction of the component, the angle corresponding to the angle between the normal of the substrate surface area to be connected and the pressing direction of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Karsten Guth, Alfred Kemper, Roland Speckels
  • Publication number: 20100224674
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to bonding plural elements by sintering a bonding layer sandwiched between the elements. An exemplary embodiment includes a support frame; a clamping device; a reception region for receiving a stack including the plural elements, in-between which the bonding layer is arranged, wherein the stack is clamped when loaded into the reception region to permanently apply a sintering pressure. An exemplary method is also disclosed for bonding plural of elements using a sintering process. The method includes clamping the stack into a reception region of a fixture device, and applying heat to the stack and the bonding layer to perform a sintering process of the bonding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Chunlei LIU, Samuel Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7784666
    Abstract: Plate members 17 are respectively rested on first and second tables 1A and 1B relatively movable toward and away from each other. The plate members 17 are caused to abut against reference positioning members 16a and 16b of reference positioning devices protruded ahead of and over opposing ends 1? of the tables 1A and 1B so that opposing ends of the plate members 17 are positioned ahead of the opposing ends 1? of the tables 1A and 1B, and the plate members 17 are positioned laterally. Then, the positioned plate members 17 are locked on the tables 1A and 1B. After the reference positioning devices are retracted, the tables 1A and 1B are relatively moved toward each other to cause the opposing ends of the plate members 17 to abut together for formation of weld line X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Iimura, Tomoo Mizuno, Katsura Oowaki, Hirotaka Kanazawa, Chikamasa Iwamoto, Toshikazu Yagi, Hirotaka Shirai
  • Patent number: 7784665
    Abstract: A motor vehicle car body framing apparatus for use at a welding station, the apparatus including a gate having a frame structure and a plurality of tooling members carried by the frame structure for use in positioning components of the vehicle body at the welding station for welding. The tooling members are mounted on the frame structure by a plurality of mounting brackets. Each mounting bracket includes a base member mounted on the frame structure and a riser mounted on the base and mounting a respective tooling member. The riser is fixedly mounted on the base by a single central fastener bolt which may include a reduced diameter portion sized to breakaway in response to predetermined impact against the riser. The interface between the riser and the base comprises a plurality of contact points arranged in concentric relation with respect to the fastener bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Comau, Inc
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, Michael R. Dugas, William J. Maybee, Hans Nikesch
  • Publication number: 20100213246
    Abstract: A weld cylinder having a single piston arrangement is provided. The cylinder has a movable retract piston assembly with the piston arranged within the retract piston assembly. The piston supports a rod that is movable between home, intermediate, work, and advanced work positions. The rod moves rapidly from the home position to the intermediate position however, the rod moves more slowly from the intermediate position to the work position to reduce the impact force. A cushion chamber slowly exhausts through a pre-orifice and a hole in the cushion valve while an isolator is in an open position. Once the cushion valve opens in response to a retract-forward pressure on the cushion valve, the cushion chamber exhausts rapidly so that weld force increases rapidly to minimize increases in cycle time. Advance of a retract piston assembly is also cushioned. A weld-forward port is no longer provided on a cylinder barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: DOBEN LIMITED
    Inventor: Peter Tenzer
  • Publication number: 20100213675
    Abstract: A compliant plate seal arrangement manufacturing method is provided. A compliant plate seal manufacturing method includes assembling a plurality of t-shims and a plurality of spacer shims into a straight weld fixture, thereby forming a shim pack having a front and rear end and sides, welding the sides of the shim pack to a top plate, removing a portion of the weld fixture, removing the plurality of spacer shims, shaping the shim pack into a target diameter, and applying a radial flow plate to the leaf pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William Edward Adis, Bernard Arthur Couture, JR., Hrishikesh Vishvas Deo, Sean Douglas Feeny, Michael Dennis Mack, Daniel Frederick Purdy, Norman Arnold Turnquist
  • Patent number: 7748595
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for hot bonding metal plates having advantages that removing an oxidation film of the metal plates and bonding the metal plates are simultaneously accomplished and a bonding force between the metal plates is enhanced by applying a strong bonding pressure to the metal plates. The present invention has advantages that overlapped metal plates are compressed vertically and a shaving blade is formed at a shaving mold. Therefore, as the metal plates move, an oxidation film coated on the overlapped surfaces of the metal plates is removed. In addition, a home is formed at the shaving mold so that excess metal together with an oxidation film coated on front portions of the metal plates are removed and simultaneously the metal plates are bonded with a strong pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: In Tai Jin
  • Patent number: 7735706
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for clamping, cutting, and joining strips to a continuous strip. Said device comprises a clamping device (125), a cutting device (155), and a joining device (195). The clamping device, cutting device, and joining device are kinematically coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf-Hartmut Sohl, Peter de Kock, Michael Tomzig
  • Publication number: 20100140332
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of brazing two materials (1, 2) together using a filler metal (3), which comprises the following steps: the filler metal is placed between the two contacting materials in a brazing zone where they are intended to be joined; on at least one of the two materials, which is mounted so as to move, a stress force is exerted along each of the directions of expansion provided for the two materials; the assembly in the brazing zone is brought to what is called a brazing temperature, which is both above the melting point of the filler metal and below the melting point of each of the two materials; during the temperature rise, the forces exerted on the materials to be assembled are gradually reduced as said materials expand, so that there is substantially no longer a force exerted on the materials when the brazing temperature is reached; and, once the filler metal has melted and wetted each material to be assembled, the assembly is cooled so as to solidify the filler metal, whic
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Jean-Baptiste Mottin
  • Publication number: 20100140329
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for brazing. One aspect of the invention provides a method of brazing cutter teeth. The method includes providing a bit body, pressing at least one cutter against the bit body with a spring device, placing the bit body and the at least one cutter in an inert gas filled chamber with about 10% H2, and heating the chamber to a temperature above the melting point of the filler metal thereby melting the filler metal. A quantity of filler metal is held between each of the at least one cutters and the bit body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kjell Haugvaldstad
  • Publication number: 20100140323
    Abstract: A boiler wall tube tool has a first clamp member positioned about one side of the boiler wall and a second clamp member positioned about the opposite side of the boiler wall. The first clamp member has a recess or recesses, each recess receiving one of the tubes therein. The second clamp member has a radius or radiuses abutting against the opposite side of a tube or the tubes. The first clamp member and the second clamp member are coupled to one another about the tube or tubes through slots formed in the first clamp member and the second clamp member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Mark W. McClure
  • Patent number: 7716834
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a screen and welding apparatus thereof, putting a metal filter net around the outside of a support sheath and fixing the metal filter net to the outside of the support sheath by way of welding, such that the metal filter net completely covers all filter holes of the support sheath to form a filter sheath with; fixing the filter sheath to the outside of the base pipe and the filter sheath completely covering all penetrated holes on the base pipe; putting a jacket around the outside of the filter sheath and fixing it to the outside of the base pipe such that the jacket completely covers the outside surface of the filter area of the filter sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Beijing Hinen-Hitech Petroleum Technology Development Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chunhong Huang, Jichu Chen
  • Publication number: 20100096793
    Abstract: The problem of firmly gripping a cylindrical component over a range of permitted diameters is solved by providing a protrusion on the surface of a cantilevered seat, the seat being substantially complementarily curved to accommodate the cylindrical component. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a clamp for holding a cylindrical component is provided comprising at least one curved seat having at least one protrusion, the curved seat being cantilevered by a first end. The protrusion is configured to contact the cylindrical component under load such that a concentrated load is exerted on the curved seat between a first end and a second end causing the curved seat to be elastically deflected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: John Eldon Falk, Mindaugas E. Gedgaudas
  • Patent number: 7690094
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in automated welding repairs, particularly those repairs intended for impellers and similar structures. In one embodiment, the invention provides an impeller weld restraining fixture. The fixture includes a base plate and top ring. An impeller may be sandwiched between the base plate and the top ring. Tangs located on the top ring may be fitted to rest in the valley faces between airfoils on an impeller. Bolting the top ring to the base plate, with the impeller firmly secured therebetween, restrains the impeller so as to minimize warpage during welding repairs and heat treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Garrett
  • Publication number: 20100078463
    Abstract: A device and a method for making a semiconductor device including bonding a first bonding partner to a second bonding partner. The device comprises a lower tool and an upper tool, the upper tool including a plunger having a bottom side facing the lower tool at which bottom side a vacuum is creatable, so that the first bonding partner can be picked up by vacuum from the upper tool and positioned on the second bonding partner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Roland SPECKELS, Thomas Licht, Karsten Guth
  • Patent number: 7677428
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body framing apparatus located at a welding station of a motor vehicle assembly line for use in precisely positioning body panels arriving at the welding station for welding. The apparatus includes a base structure positioned at the welding station and having a longitudinal extent in the direction of body panel movement and a transverse extent; a parking structure upstanding vertically from the base structure on either side of the welding station and each defining parking devices; and a pair of longitudinal side gates each carrying tooling fixtures for engagement with body side panels and each including parking devices operative in coaction with the parking devices on the upstanding parking structures to precisely position the gates on the parking structure and thereby precisely position the tooling fixtures relative to the body panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Comau, Inc.
    Inventor: Velibor Kilibarda
  • Patent number: 7673784
    Abstract: A welding fixture for supporting first and second workpieces in a coaxial relationship along a workpiece axis relative to each other includes a base, a left clamp on the base for holding a first workpiece, and a right clamp on the base for holding a second workpiece on an opposite side of a welding plane in a coaxial relationship with the first workpiece. The fixture also includes a left handle on the base for operating the right clamp, and a right handle on the base for operating the left clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Robert Scott Headings, Charles W. Hayes, II, Jeffrey M. Kalman, Craig Mizer, Marc L. Vitantonio, Peter M. Oyster
  • Publication number: 20100044350
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and a production installation for producing a sub-assembly consisting of a plurality of parts joined together, in which the first part (1) and second part (2) are removed from a parts delivery site in the vicinity of a transport device and deposited oriented in position on one of a plurality of parts transport carriers of the transport device, and subsequently together with the parts transport carrier transported to an assembly station. The parts transport carrier is stopped in the assembly station in a holding position, whereupon the parts (1, 2), oriented towards one another, are moved by means of a vertical positioning device (200a, 200b) together from a transport position on the parts transport carrier into a preparation position, then positioned relative to one another, clamped and then joined to form a sub-assembly, whereupon the joined subassembly is again deposited on one of a plurality of parts transport carriers and transported away thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Roland Heiml, Thomas Rebhan, Michael Pauditz, Markus Bittendorfer
  • Patent number: 7665649
    Abstract: Provided are device for assembling groups of eyebrow beautifying needles and method therefor. The assembling device comprises a base, a sliding block including two resilient members biased between the base and the sliding block, a central fastener for fastening the sliding block on or above the base, a holding assembly comprising a plurality of clamping posts vertically disposed on the base, and a plurality of holes with the sliding blocks passed through. Groups of eyebrow beautifying needles are adapted to insert into holding heads of the clamping posts with needle tips being flush in the holding heads of the clamping posts, and the needles in each group are fastened together by soldering. Moreover, sleeves of different colors or marks may be put on the needle groups for facilitating identifying the number of needles in each group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Cheng-kun Chen
  • Publication number: 20100038410
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for securing a first metallic target object to a further metallic target object. The apparatus includes a heating element for heating a bonding interface region between juxtaposed portions of a first and further metallic target object, at least one chamber body portion securable around the interface region to form a chamber region surrounding the interface region, a pump member for at least partially removing oxygen from the chamber region and a target object locating unit arranged to locate portions of the first and further target objects in a juxtaposed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Patrick Anthony McHale, Roger Alexander Black, Paula Margaret Madelaine Dewsnap
  • Patent number: 7658878
    Abstract: An existing metal structure can be reinforced by providing a reinforcing metal layer on the metal structure in spaced apart relation to thereby form at least one cavity between inner surfaces of the metal structure and the reinforcing metal layer. An intermediate layer including uncured plastics or polymer material is injected into the cavity, and the plastics or polymer material is cured to adhere to the inner surfaces of the metal structure and the reinforcing metal layer. During the injecting and curing process, the reinforcing metal layer is constrained by at least one restraint member that is held to the existing metal structure by at least one magnetic clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Intelligent Engineering (Bahamas) Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Harold Robert Kennedy, Kenneth John Angus
  • Patent number: 7641098
    Abstract: A continuous welding machine (1) for welding facing sides of a pipe blank (15) bent from a material blank is provided, having a guide strut (2) for guiding the sides of the blank (15) to be welded to each other in the direction toward a welding device (3). Pipe guides (4, 5) arranged about a periphery of the guide track designed for the pipe blank (15). For the continuous welding machine (1) according to the invention, the pipe guides (4, 5) and the guide strut (2) are adjustable in the radial direction relative to a guide axis (7) for adapting to different pipe diameters, and the guide tracks (8, 9) of the guide strut (2) allocated to the sides of the pipe blank (15) to be welded and also arranged on opposite sides of the guide strut (2) are arranged at an angle to each other in a plane extending through the guide axis (7). With the help of the continuous welding machine according to the invention, selected pipes with different pipe diameters can be produced alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Weil Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Weil
  • Publication number: 20090324987
    Abstract: An autogenously welded structure is provided that includes a first face sheet, a plurality of individual stiffener elements, and a second face sheet. The stiffener elements each have a first edge disposed against the first face sheet and an opposed second edge. Each stiffener element has a central portion extending between the opposed edges. The central portion is disposed at an angle to the first face sheet. The stiffener elements include at least some stiffener elements that are disposed at an angle to at least some of the other stiffener elements. The second face sheet is disposed against the second edges of the stiffener elements and the first and second face sheets are autogenously welded to the edges of the stiffener elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen M. Copley, William G. Rhoads, Chris A. Sills, Eduard S. Ventsel
  • Publication number: 20090230101
    Abstract: A method of soldering metallic join partners (4, 5) which are coated with soldering material, wherein the layers of soldering material of the join partners (4, 5) are pressed together and melted in a soldering region (6), molten masses of liquid soldering material forming which, after being mixed, in the solidified state connect the join partners (4, 5) in the soldering region (6), before solidification a mechanical pulse being transmitted to the molten masses of liquid soldering material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Dirk HANSCH, Marc Deschler
  • Patent number: 7581669
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structural part through diffusion bonding in solid state without secondary materials after stacking multi-sheet metal and a tool thereof are disclosed. The tool for diffusion boding of multi-sheet metal includes a top tool having a top gas inlet, a central tool coupled to the top tool for installing the multi-sheet metal inside the central tool, a bottom tool coupled to the central tool for supporting the multi-sheet metal and having a bottom gas inlet and a vacuum path for making a vacuum state or an inert gas environment, and a sealing plate interposed between the top tool and the central tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
    Inventor: Ho Sung Lee
  • Publication number: 20090206146
    Abstract: A welding jig for holding a motorcycle fuel tank when the fuel tank is welded includes a plurality of attachments for holding said fuel tank through resilient bodies. The plurality of attachments have springs hold the outer plate of a fuel tank, and an inner jig positions an inner plate. The attachments are attached to clamp arms which are opened/closed by cylinders. When the overlap portion between the outer and inner plates is welded, the thermal deformation caused by welding is accommodated by the springs. The attachments are spaced from the fuel tank in the order in which the welding point is approached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoji Yamaoka, Yoshimasa Iwaguchi, Takashi Shimada, Setsuo Arai, Toshio Ishii
  • Patent number: 7556188
    Abstract: A clamping device includes a backing member having an upper face pressing against two work pieces having a welding gap therebetween. A rod extends through the backing member and has an exposed upper portion extending through a narrower portion of the welding gap into a wider portion of the welding gap. An elastic element is mounted between a bottom face of the backing member and an abutting portion on a lower portion of the rod to bias the backing member to press against the work pieces. The upper portion includes a hooked section having a first width smaller than a width of the narrower portion and a second width perpendicular to and larger than the width of the narrower portion. The rod is turnable to a position in which the second width of the hooked section presses against the work pieces under the action of the elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: Mar Lon Chen
  • Patent number: 7546942
    Abstract: A flexible system for welding motor-vehicle bodies or subassemblies thereof envisages a series of pairs of side frames provided with referencing and clamping devices for keeping in the correct position the structures to be assembled during welding. For each different type of body to be assembled a different pair of side frames is provided, equipped with referencing and clamping devices adapted to the respective type of body. Each pair of side frames is associated to a basic structure, with which it forms a unitary referencing and clamping module. Said modules can be moved through the assembly station to follow one another in the operative welding position, according to the type of body to be welded. The structure to be assembled, or at least part thereof, is fed to the welding station by means of a conveying line that is totally independent and separate from the basic structures of the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: COMAU S.p.A.
    Inventors: Denny Monti, Piero Bossotto
  • Publication number: 20090084828
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for clamping, cutting, and joining strips to a continuous strip. Said device comprises a clamping device (125), a cutting device (155), and a joining device (195). The clamping device, cutting device, and joining device are kinematically coupled to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Ralf-Hartmut Sohl, Peter de Kock, Michael Tomzig
  • Publication number: 20090065554
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of joining two components. The method includes providing at least two components to be joined, a reactive multilayer foil, and a compliant element, placing the reactive multilayer foil between the at least two components, applying pressure on the two components in contact with the reactive multilayer foil via a compliant element, and initiating a chemical transformation of the reactive multilayer foil so as to physically join the at least two components. The invention also includes two components joined using the aforementioned method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: David Van Heerden, Jesse Newson, Timothy Rude, Omer M. Knio, Timothy P. Weihs
  • Patent number: 7487900
    Abstract: Apparatus for diffusion bonding, brazing, or joining between respective surfaces of two parts, e.g., the exterior wall of a first annular cylinder and the interior wall of a concentric second annular cylinder, includes a cylindrical body having a circumferential cavity positioned between upper and lower ends thereof. A flexible annular membrane is disposed concentrically over the cavity, and respective upper and lower ends of the membrane are each sealingly hinged to the body. The body is assembled coaxially within the first cylinder, and the assembly then inserted coaxially into the second cylinder to the desired axial bonding position. The cavity is pressurized, causing the membrane, and responsively, the first cylinder, to expand radially within the second cylinder. The temperature of the parts is then raised and maintained for a selected period of time to bond the respective walls of the two cylinders to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory F. Kayser, Daniel L. Wisner, John G. Somerville, Jonathan H. Ferrin
  • Patent number: 7469452
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in automated welding repairs, particularly those repairs intended for impellers and similar structures. In one embodiment, the invention provides an impeller weld restraining fixture. The fixture includes a base plate and top ring. An impeller may be sandwiched between the base plate and the ring mount. Tangs located on the top ring may be fitted to rest in the valley faces between airfoils on an impeller. Bolting the top ring to the base plate, with the impeller firmly secured therebetween, restrains the impeller so as to minimize warpage during welding repairs and heat treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Garrett
  • Publication number: 20080290140
    Abstract: An apparatus for in-line ERW welding of hollow flange steel members in a cold forming mill comprises a seem roll stand (60) rotatably supporting at least one seam roll (68) adapted in use to guide a free edge (34a,34b) of a contoured metal strip (30) into linear alignment with a predetermined weld axis spaced from said free edge on a surface of the metal strip. The apparatus also includes a weld box stand (61) supporting at least one pair of squeeze rolls (84a,84b), in use, adapted to urge the free edge (34a,34b) when heated to a predetermined temperature into fused engagement with a correspondingly heated weld axis on the surface of the strip (30). The squeeze rolls (84a,84b) co-operate to guide the free edge through a predetermined linear trajectory substantially along an incidence axis of a subsequent weld junction between the free edge (34a,34b) and the surface of the metal strip (30) whereby energy imparted to the cold formed member is focussed by a proximity effect along the predetermined weld axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: SMORGON STEEL LITESTEEL PRODUCTS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Ross John Bartlett, Alexander Noller, Keiji Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7448529
    Abstract: Objectives of the present invention are to reduce the size and weight of side-member and roofjigs, and to simplify analysis of problems related to ease-of-assembly of vehicle body roofs and side-members. In a first step, using clamping jigs 11-1 through 11-4, a left and right pair of side-members 4 are positioned with respect to an underbody 3 (that was positioned at a prescribed position in a vehicle body assembly line 2), and welded in place. Continuing in a second step, after the clamping jigs 11-1 through 11-4 have been released, a roof 31 is placed on upper welding edges of the left and right side-members 4 while being positioned using suspension jigs 35 and 36, after which it is welded in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jyunji Motomi, Isao Kita, Tadao Nasu, Takuji Izutani, Kaname Akagi, Kazuto Ikeda, Hiromichi Arayama
  • Patent number: 7441692
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing, in correctness, the transverse cross section of the end of an elongate structural beam during weld attachment to that end of a beam-end mounting component. This method includes the steps of (a) configurationally correcting and capturing the end transverse footprint of such a beam with an external structure to lock that footprint against subsequent configuration change, and (b), while performing that capturing step, weld-attaching the beam's end transverse footprint to the mentioned beam-end mounting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Robert J. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20080245472
    Abstract: An aligning device that can reliably correct misalignment between electronic components for increasing the accuracy in aligning the electronic components, a bonding apparatus equipped with the aligning device, and an aligning method. The aligning device comprises a chamber; a flexible bellows configured to define an airtight chamber therein with the chamber; a driving unit configured to move one of a first block member and a second block member relative to the other, the first block member being for holding a first electronic component and being provided in the airtight chamber, and the second block member being for holding a second electronic component and being provided in the airtight chamber; and an image-taking port protruding inward from an outer surface of the chamber so as to define a space, the image-taking port having an observation window through which at least one of the first electronic component and the second electronic component is observed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Hirata, Shigeki Fukunaga, Shigeki Yamane, Mitsuhiro Namura, Arata Suzuki, Tomonari Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20080230589
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a component with a substrate by means of diffusion soldering in a closed evacuated chamber is disclosed. The component and the substrate to be connected are displaceable separate from one another in the chamber, and the chamber comprises a combined transfer and pressing unit being displaceable between the current position of the component and the current position of the substrate, for placing and pressing the component on the substrate. The combined transfer and pressing unit comprises a rotatable element, which, in response to the placing and pressing of the component on the substrate, assumes an angle between the normal of the lower side of the component to be connected and the pressing direction of the component, the angle corresponding to the angle between the normal of the substrate surface area to be connected and the pressing direction of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Karsten Guth, Alfred Kemper, Roland Speckels
  • Publication number: 20080217385
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structural part through diffusion bonding in solid state without secondary materials after stacking multi-sheet metal and a tool thereof are disclosed. The tool for diffusion boding of multi-sheet metal includes a top tool having a top gas inlet, a central tool coupled to the top tool for installing the multi-sheet metal inside the central tool, a bottom tool coupled to the central tool for supporting the multi-sheet metal and having a bottom gas inlet and a vacuum path for making a vacuum state or an inert gas environment, and a sealing plate interposed between the top tool and the central tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Ho Sung Lee
  • Publication number: 20080190992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for hot bonding metal plates having advantages that removing an oxidation film of the metal plates and bonding the metal plates are simultaneously accomplished and a bonding force between the metal plates is enhanced by applying a strong bonding pressure to the metal plates. The present invention has advantages that overlapped metal plates are compressed vertically and a shaving blade is formed at a shaving mold. Therefore, as the metal plates move, an oxidation film coated on the overlapped surfaces of the metal plates is removed. In addition, a home is formed at the shaving mold so that excess metal together with an oxidation film coated on front portions of the metal plates are removed and simultaneously the metal plates are bonded with a strong pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: In Tai Jin
  • Patent number: 7407079
    Abstract: A filament attachment system includes a bond head comprising a de-spooling system with a spool and balanced dancer arm assembly, a clamp having a curved filament entry, a narrower gripping region, and a wider filament exit, and a bond tool comprising a guide portion, a grooving portion, and a staking portion. The grooving portion forms a groove into a bond and the staking portion closes the groove over the filament, securing the filament in the bond. Thus, the filament can be attached with a single pass of the bond head using a single bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Orthodyne Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore J. Copperthite, Todd J. Walker, Vartan Babayan, Martin R. Nicholls
  • Patent number: 7404512
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for clamping around a manufacturing tool engaging a work piece are described. In one embodiment, a clamp includes a moveable support arranged to at least partially surround a circumference defining a work area. A friction reducing element is attached to the support to apply pressure to the surface when the clamp is engaged with the work piece, and to allow the clamp to be moved with the manufacturing tool. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the clamp co-annularly or partially surrounds the manufacturing tool. In another embodiment, the manufacturing tool is a friction stir welding tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John A. Baumann, Richard J. Lederich
  • Patent number: 7398910
    Abstract: A mechanical weldable fitting for use in tapping a pipe includes a first and second metal collar, each formed of attachable upper and lower semi-toroidal portions that when assembled on the pipe providing spaced-apart external cylindrical surfaces. Each collar having at least one internal circumferential sealing groove therein that receives a gasket formed about the pipe. A lower semi-tubular metal containment member is positioned on the external cylindrical surfaces of the collars. An upper semi-tubular metal containment member is positioned on the external cylindrical surfaces of the collars. The upper containment member having an integral upwardly extending tubular access portion affording passage for tapping the pipe. The upper and lower containment members are welded to each other and to the collars to fully encompass a portion of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony R. Garrison, Larry J. Oden, James E. Terry, Dixit B. Kadakia
  • Publication number: 20080148566
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the fabrication and/or repair of an integrally bladed rotor, specifically of an integrally bladed gas turbine rotor, is disclosed. At least one rotor blade is joined to a main rotor body for fabrication and/or repair. The joining is carried out by diffusion welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Ulrich Knott, Karl-Hermann Richter
  • Patent number: 7357289
    Abstract: Welding head for a strap binding machine includes a strap fixing device for fixing the overlapping strap ends that are to be welded to one another, a welding device for fusing the strap segments that are to be welded, and a pressing device for pressing the fused strap segments against a pressure part, whereby the strap fixing means are embodied as two separate, pivotably borne clamping jaws that are motion-coupled to the longitudinally movable pressing device such that they can be caused to engage and disengage with the binding strap depending on the movement of the pressing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Helmut Schmetzer
  • Patent number: 7344059
    Abstract: An electrical connector is soldered or affixed to a conductive element of a glass sheet of a vehicular window via radiation heating of a layer of solder with an infrared radiative heating device. The heating device may include an infrared lamp and a reflector, which functions to direct the radiant energy from the lamp to a target region generally corresponding with the location of the solder layer between the electrical connector and the conductive element. The heating device is operable to rapidly and substantially heat the solder layer to a desired temperature to melt the solder layer, while substantially limiting directing of heat to the glass sheet. The electrical connector may be affixed at a vehicular or modular window assembly plant, such that the glass sheet may be transported from a glass manufacturing plant to the vehicular or modular window assembly plant without the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: William A Johnson