Metallic Fusion Material Patents (Class 403/271)
  • Publication number: 20120237287
    Abstract: A butt-welded joint includes a pair of steel plates, a first weld metal that is formed at a butting portion of the pair of steel plates from a first surface side of the pair of steel plates to a second surface side opposite the first surface side by irradiation of a first high-energy density beam from the first surface side, and a second weld metal that is formed by a second high-energy density beam to cover an end surface of the first surface side of the first weld metal. Here, a width W1 of the first weld metal on the first surface and a width W2 of the second weld metal on the first surface satisfy a following equation (1), and a depth from the first surface of the second weld metal is 2.0 mm to 10.0 mm. 1.2?W2/W1?3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Ryuichi Honma, Tadashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8226750
    Abstract: A hydrogen purifier utilizing a hydrogen-permeable membrane to purify hydrogen from mixed gases containing hydrogen is disclosed. Improved mechanical support for the permeable membrane is described, enabling forward or reverse differential pressurization of the membrane, which further stabilizes the membrane from wrinkling upon hydrogen uptake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Genesis Fueltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter David DeVries
  • Patent number: 8110022
    Abstract: A hydrogen purifier utilizing a hydrogen permeable membrane, and a gas-tight seal, where the seal is uses a low temperature melting point metal, which upon heating above the melting point subsequently forms a seal alloy with adjacent metals, where the alloy has a melting point above the operational temperature of the purifier. The purifier further is constructed such that a degree of isolation exists between the metal that melts to form the seal and the active area of the purifier membrane, so that the active area of the purifier membrane is not corrupted. A method of forming a hydrogen purifier utilizing a hydrogen permeable membrane with a seal of the same type is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Genesis Fueltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter David DeVries
  • Publication number: 20120003035
    Abstract: A fillet weld joint of steel having high fatigue strength by improving stress concentration without excessively relying on imparting a compressive residual stress to a toe part by welding materials, free of cracking, and excellent in the toughness, and a method for gas shielded arc welding for obtaining the fillet weld joint are provided. In the fillet weld joint, a martensitic transformation starting temperature (Ms point) of a weld metal is 400° C. or above and 550° C. or below, a value obtained by dividing a toe radius ? of a toe part of welding by a sheet thickness t of a base metal (?/t) is 0.25 or above, an expression below Ms(° C.)?375×[?/t]+320??(1) is satisfied, and a crack defect does not exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: REIICHI SUZUKI, MASAO KINEFUCHI, RYU KASAI
  • Patent number: 8043021
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotationally symmetrical fastening element with an axially centralized rounded tip for a friction-welded joint with a flat component. The tip is adjoined by a conical lateral surface, the conical lateral surface transitioning into a flute for receiving a material melted during friction-welding, and by a shoulder, wherein the shoulder surrounds the flute, is axially recessed in relation to the tip and transitions into the friction-welded joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: EJOT GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Birkelbach
  • Publication number: 20110188927
    Abstract: The invention is directed at a method for welding a composite material and to welded structures thus prepared. The method includes a step of contacting a substrate material with a composite material, wherein the composite material includes a pair of spaced apart steel sheets and a core layer between the sheets; the volume of the core layer is about 25 volume % or more, based on the total volume of the composite material; the core layer includes a plurality of steel fibers arranged in one or more masses of fibers that extend the thickness of the core layer so that the core layer is in electrical communication with the steel sheets; and the steel fibers have a cross sectional area perpendicular to the length of the fibers from about 1×10?5 mm2 to about 2.5×10?2 mm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: PRODUCTIVE RESEARCH LLC.
    Inventor: Shimon Mizrahi
  • Publication number: 20110182657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a friction welding joint of a plurality of two-dimensional components positioned on top of each other, which are held together by means of a connecting body, which rests on an upper component by means of a collar. The connecting body is configured as a pipe piece, and the upper component is penetrated by the connecting body having a front annular cutting edge by means of rotation and pressure, wherein the connecting body, after cutting through the upper component with the front thereof and receiving the cut-out material of the upper component in the hollow space thereof, together with the lower component forms a friction welding zone created by means of rotation and pressure of the connecting body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: EJOT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christ Eberhard, Jörg Thiem, Torsten Fuchs, Gerhard Dubiel
  • Publication number: 20110170946
    Abstract: A metal sheet composite comprising an outer metal sheet having a flange which is folded over around a flanging edge; an inner metal sheet which forms a joint with the flange; and a welding or soldering seam which is produced on or in the joint and fixedly connects the metal sheets to each other. A method for joining metal sheets and a device for flanging and welding or soldering are also disclosed. The device includes: a tool head; a flanging member, arranged on the tool head, for roll-flanging or slide-flanging; and a welding or soldering tool arranged on the tool head, wherein the flanging member and the welding or soldering tool are arranged such that the flanging member forms a pressing means for a welding or soldering process which can be performed using the welding or soldering tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: EDAG GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Jochen Schneegans, Martin Kraft
  • Publication number: 20100164251
    Abstract: A structure formed by welding one component member and other component member through a connection member, the connection member which includes: a one side connection end portion including a junction portion having a shape matching an outer surface of the one component member, the one side connection end portion being contacted to the one component member, being freely moved along an axial direction of the one component member, and being welded to the one component member, and an other side connection end portion including an engaging portion that is fitted into the other component member and can be relatively freely moved along a direction intersecting with the axial direction of the one component member, and being welded to the other component member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Tatsushi Itou
  • Patent number: 7722280
    Abstract: A hollow-bodied component, which includes at least two die-cast shell elements (1, 2), is suitable in particular for use as a steering component in motor vehicle running-gear assemblies. The hollow-bodied component has a connection zone (5, 6, 18, 19) configured on the shell elements (1, 2) to be interconnected. One connection zone (5) has one first contact area (7) with an essentially U-shaped cross-section that is located on the respective shell element (1) and the other connection zone has at least one strut-type second contact area (8) that engages in the space in the U-shaped first contact area (7) and that is located on the respective other shell element (2). The connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) are joined in a force fit in a cold welding process that uses a contact pressure (F1, F2), whose value is a multiple of the separating force components (Fr) that act on the connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) during operation. A method is provided for producing the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Peter Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20100119300
    Abstract: Provided is an outer joint member for a constant velocity universal joint, which can be manufactured at low cost. The outer joint member includes a cup member (13) having a tubular body portion (1) and a bottom portion (12) for closing one opening of the body portion (1), and also includes a disc-like flange member (2) mounted on the bottom portion (12) of the cup member (13). A protrusion (8) is provided on the bottom portion (12), the flange member (2) is fitted on the protrusion (8), and an inside surface (4a) of the flange member (2) and an outer diameter surface (3) of the protrusion are bonded together by welding. In the welding, molten metal flows into a relief portion (9) provided in a fitting portion between the cup member (13) and the flange member (2), and this prevents the weld bead from raising, thereby reducing costs otherwise necessary to eliminate the raised bead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Naoki Nakagawa, Yasuyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20100098483
    Abstract: A suspension component for a vehicle includes a cast iron body, a high strength steel tube and an adapter ring. The adapter ring includes a protrusion engaged with a face of the cast iron body. The protrusion is heated to a plasticized state as a capacitor is discharged through the protrusion and the face. The adapter ring is welded to the body upon cooling of the adapter ring. The high strength steel tube is fixed to the adapter ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Dieter Toepker
  • Publication number: 20100040408
    Abstract: In an assembly including a tubular member made of steel and a structure made of aluminum, the tubular member has an end portion for engagement in a recess of the structure. At least one receptacle is provided between the end portion of the tubular member and the structure and filled with a welding filler containing aluminum as base material for effecting a connection between the tubular member and the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: ARMIN ZUBER, JÜRGEN KROGMEIER, RUDI TÖWS
  • Publication number: 20090317179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a friction welding joint of a plurality of two-dimensional components positioned on top of each other, which are held together by a connecting body which rests on the upper component by means of a collar and which, after penetrating the upper component by means of its end face as a friction welding surface, forms a friction welding zone on the lower component by means of the rotation and pressure of the connecting body. This combination includes the following features: a) An existing corrosion protection layer or corrosion layer is removed from the friction welding surface of the connecting body made of steel; b) The lower component is made of steel; c) the upper component is made of a material that is softer than that of the lower component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: EJOT GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eberhard Christ, Jörg Thiem, Torsten Fuchs, Marco Werkmeister, Gerhard Dubiel
  • Publication number: 20090232592
    Abstract: An end cap mounting module comprises an end cap body that is cast as a single-piece component that has a first mount interface for connection to a catalytic converter and a second mount interface for connection to an exhaust pipe. In one example, the single-piece end cap body includes at least one integrally formed sensor boss and/or fastener boss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin Virgil Gudorf, Jerome Brian Hornback
  • Publication number: 20090208275
    Abstract: In an exhaust pipe connecting structure of a muffler, a through-hole 11a that penetrates one side wall portion of an outer shell 11 has a diameter larger than an outer diameter of an inlet pipe 2. The inlet pipe 2 is fixed at its portion corresponding to the through-hole 11a with a reinforcement-spacer member 3 having a cylindrical portion 31 that is gas-tightly connected with an outer circumferential surface of a projecting portion of the inlet pipe 2 and a flange portion 32 that projects outwardly from a through-hole side edge portion of the cylindrical portion 31. The flange portion 32 of the reinforcement-spacer member 3 is fixed by welding on an outer surface of the outer shell 11 all around the through-hole 11a. The cylindrical portion 31 of the reinforcement-spacer member 3 is fixed by welding on an outer circumferential surface of the inlet pipe 2 all around thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Takenori Saito
  • Publication number: 20090162138
    Abstract: A longitudinal member assembly having a primary loading direction, including an interior longitudinal member and an exterior longitudinal member, and a method of assembly, is disclosed. The interior longitudinal member has a boxed-section shape including a first side and an opposed second side parallel to the first side. The exterior longitudinal member has a boxed shape including a first exterior side and an opposed second exterior side parallel to the first exterior side. The interior member is telescopically received in the exterior member creating an overlap area, the first exterior side includes a first side welding hole, and the second exterior side includes a second side welding hole. A first side hole weld extends around the first side welding hole, and a second side hole weld extends around the second side welding hole. The first and second holes are parallel to the primary loading direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: FRANK BURGER, LEN V. PESCHANSKY, PAOLO V. SARTI, DAVID L. VON KNORRING, STEVEN K. MACKENZIE
  • Patent number: 7520104
    Abstract: This invention provides a configuration of a joint that allows a satisfactory welded joint to be formed with reduced deformation of the joint region when two-face structures (panels) are friction-welded end to end. The panels 31, 32 each have two substantially parallel plates 33, 34 and a third member 35 connecting the two plates 33, 34. The end portions of the plates 33, 34 of one panel 32 are friction-welded to the end portions of the plates 33, 34 of the other panel 32. At least one of the panels has a plate 36 at its end for connecting the plates 33 and 34 and has a rigidity to support a pressing force produced during the friction welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Tsuyoshi Takenaka, Yasuo Ishimaru
  • Publication number: 20080213037
    Abstract: A hollow-bodied component, which includes at least two die-cast shell elements (1, 2), is suitable in particular for use as a steering component in motor vehicle running-gear assemblies. The hollow-bodied component has a connection zone (5, 6, 18, 19) configured on the shell elements (1, 2) to be interconnected. One connection zone (5) has one first contact area (7) with an essentially U-shaped cross-section that is located on the respective shell element (1) and the other connection zone has at least one strut-type second contact area (8) that engages in the space in the U-shaped first contact area (7) and that is located on the respective other shell element (2). The connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) are joined in a force fit in a cold welding process that uses a contact pressure (F1, F2), whose value is a multiple of the separating force components (Fr) that act on the connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) during operation. A method is provided for producing the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2005
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Peter Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7341394
    Abstract: A plate-like functional component and method of making same, in particular a gate plate of an automatic gear shift mechanism with locking gate is provided. The gate plate includes engagement holes for engagement elements which kinetically interact with the functional component. To allow high mechanical forces to be transmitted using this component while simplifying its production, and to as far as possible avoid impact noises during interaction with engagement elements which are guided inside the holes, it is provided that the functional component comprises, in sandwich form, three stamped parts, which bear flat against one another, and are unreleasably connected to one another. Each stamped part has at least two engagement holes for engagement elements which kinetically interact with the functional component. The engagement holes in the stamped parts are arranged congruently with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Erik Krimm, Michael Siemers
  • Patent number: 7243471
    Abstract: Face plates 11 and 12 of a hollow shape member 10 are abutted against face plates 21 and 22 of a hollow shape member 20. Grooves 18 formed to said face plates 11 and 12 at the abutted region receive projections 28 formed to said face plates 21 and 22. A connecting plate 14 orthogonal to said face plates 11 and 12 is provided to the hollow shape member 10. There is no connecting plate orthogonal to face plates 21 and 22 disposed on the end of the hollow shape member 20. Friction stir welding heat causes the face plate 21 (22) to move toward the thickness direction of hollow shape members 10 and 20, but such movement is suppressed by the groove 18 and projection 28. Thereby, the abutted region is welded flatly. Since the hollow shape member 20 requires no connecting plate corresponding to plate 14, the welded members are light in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Kazushige Fukuyori
  • Patent number: 7231702
    Abstract: A connecting structure is provided. The structure includes a post with a first end, middle portion, and a second end, a plurality of prongs flexibly connected to the first end, extending toward the second end in a V-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Exhart Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Weiser, Margaret Weiser
  • Patent number: 7225543
    Abstract: A connecting member for structural sandwich plate members comprises a prismatic metal body having one, or preferably two, tapered edges which provide landing surfaces and weld preparations for the face plates of the structural sandwich plate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Intelligent Engineering (Bahamas) Limited
    Inventors: Stephen John Kennedy, Howard Mackenzie Wilson
  • Patent number: 7186049
    Abstract: A pin to plate joint and method of making the joint comprising a plate comprising an entry side and an exit side with the plate defining cutouts, and the pin movable through the plate from the entry side to the exit side and in doing so pushes tab members at angles to the exit side of the plate at bends. The bends in the plate define an opening in the plate, and flow spaces are defined between the pin sidewall and the bends in the plate, with the tab members being heated to form melted tab material and flowing the melted tab material into the flow spaces and cooling, forming a pin to plate joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Grubb, Philip Wutz
  • Patent number: 7137897
    Abstract: A shaft (1) with a co-rotating element (2) which is secured to it and has a surface located perpendicular to the axis (3) of the shaft, the welding taking place in the fillet formed between the seating surface (4) of the shaft (1) and axially normal surface (6, 8) of the element. To achieve a durable join without adversely affecting true running, a welding bead (20) starts at a starting point (21) on the surface (6; 8) located perpendicular to the axis (3) of the shaft (1), leads to the fillet and then leads back to an end point (21?) on the surface (6; 8) located transversely with respect to the axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Magna Steyr Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Oskar Kehrer
  • Patent number: 7090423
    Abstract: Joint formations that, in joining together joining members employed in a variety of electrical and electronic components, yield sufficiently high joint strength in the direction perpendicular to the plane in which two joining members join, and meanwhile in the direction parallel to the joint plane. First and second joining members have respective joint phases each formed with a different number of distinct yet continuous conformational faces, defining the joint phases so that neither is the matching complement of the other. A bonding agent interposed between the joint phases joins the joining members together. The difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the two joining members, and between them and the bonding agent, is 5.0×10?6/° C. or less. The joining members are a metal such as tungsten or Cu—W, or a ceramic such as AlN or Si3N4; and glass or a solder material is utilized for the bonding agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masuhiro Natsuhara, Hirohiko Nakata, Akira Kuibira
  • Patent number: 7011350
    Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for a vehicle including an elongated crash box having ends with circular cross sections. One end of the crash box is received in a bumper beam and is friction welded to an inside surface of the beam. The other end of the crash box is friction welded to a bracket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Alcoa, Inc.
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes
  • Patent number: 6899488
    Abstract: A fastening system has a mounting plate of substantially greater area than a flange of a part being attached to a hardened plate. This mounting plate is sandwiched between the flange and an outer face of the hardened plate and has an outer periphery spaced well outward of the flange. A plurality of nuts bear on an inner face of the hardened plate in line with the flange. Respective bolts extend through the flange, mounting plate, and hardened plate into the nuts and press the flange and mounting plate against the outer face of the hardened plate. A weld at the outer periphery secures the mounting plate to the hardened plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch Specialfahrzeug AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Geringer, Hubert Höfer
  • Patent number: 6851886
    Abstract: A knee joint assembly for an agricultural implement or a vehicle includes a relatively short knee casting with an apertured end of rectangular cross section which is inserted in a mating steel knee tube. The apertures in the casting end align with beveled apertures in the side walls of the knee tube. Steel pins of length approximately equal to the spacing of the side walls are pressed into the casting through the beveled apertures. Groove welds then secure the steel pins to the knee tube. The casting is relatively small and does not require any welding. Inexpensive ductile iron and common steel tubes can be used for most or all of the assemblies on a machine. The apertured end of the casting includes concave walls to accommodate knee tube concavity and weld flash on the inside of the knee tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jack Conan Anderson
  • Patent number: 6851885
    Abstract: A connecting indentation or protrusion section is formed on one end section of an arm member of a lever, and by pressing one end section of a shaft pipe member to a indentation or protusion of the arm member the two members are engaged. The two members are integrally formed by fillet welding to from a clutch control lever for a motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Inui, Sakae Mizumura
  • Patent number: 6818851
    Abstract: A fastening system is providing, the fastening system has a weld stud having an annular weldment portion and a fracturable nut. The fracturable nut and stud construction is configured to fail under torsional load prior to the structural parts failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Sivakumar Ramasamy, Mark H. Delcourt, Edward D. Murphy, Leo R. Clor
  • Publication number: 20040057782
    Abstract: Different metallic materials are joined in such a manner that friction heat generated by friction between a rotating probe made of a hard material and one of the metallic materials having a lower mechanical strength or a lower melting point than the other to effect plastic flow of the one material and the probe is inserted into a pit formed in a joint zone of the other material to fill the pit with the plastic flow material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Kazutaka Okamoto, Satoshi Hirano, Masahisa Inagaki, Yasuhisa Aono
  • Patent number: 6661331
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device forming a controlled-release mechanism, the device comprising: two structural elements suitable for relative movement; and locking means suitable initially for preventing relative movement between the two structural elements, and in which the locking means comprises in combination: at least one set of complementary shape means of helical configuration associated with respective ones of the two structural elements; and a low-melting point material disposed at least in part at an interface between two parts connected respectively to the two structural elements to prevent the locking means being released, and consequently to prevent the structural elements being released, prior to said material melting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Valembois, Grégory Soulier
  • Patent number: 6598923
    Abstract: A joint structure is ideally suited for use in the manufacture of assemblies and subassemblies in aluminum structures. More particularly, the alternative joint structures and methods of forming joint structures facilitate the assembly of a vehicle body-in-white. The friction welded joints of this invention provide assemblies in which lineals and sheet, cast, or extruded components are joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Israel Stol, John W. Cobes, Jr., Michael Braun, Greg S. White
  • Patent number: 6568872
    Abstract: An abutted portion of face plates (12b and 22b) of hollow frame members (10 and 20) is carried out according to a friction stir joining. Next, a connection member (30) is mounted, one end of the connection member (30) is abutted to an end portion of the face plate (11) of the hollow frame member (10). Under this condition, the abutted portion between the face plate (11) and the connection member (30) is carried out according to the friction stir joining. An overlapping portion between another end of the connection member (30) and the hollow frame member (20) is carried out according to the friction stir joining. According to demands, the connection member (30) and the face plate (21) of the hollow member (20) are welded. Without of regard of a dimension accuracy of the hollow frame member and the like, a good joining from one side face of the hollow frame member can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kawasaki, Toshiaki Sagawa, Hideyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6547474
    Abstract: In a connecting device for binding or lashing having a connecting part (1) and at least one fixing part (2), a number of spacing cams (7) are disposed on the outer surface (6) of the fixing part (2). The position of the spacing cams is selected so that, without regard to the position of the fixing part (2) relative to a base, a minimum clearance is maintained between the base and the fixing part (2) to enable a perfect connection of the fixing part (2) to the base by a root weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: RUD-Kettenfabrik Rieger & Dietz GmbH u. Co.
    Inventor: Reinhard Smetz
  • Patent number: 6533493
    Abstract: In a case where a welding of a member is performed through a friction stir welding, to restrain the generation of a clearance in a portion to be joined by the welding and to provide a joint having a good joining portion, abutting faces of members are formed with slanting surfaces. A friction stir welding is carried out from an upper portion. The welding is carried out with the slanting surfaces resisting the forces produced in forming the welding bead. Since the slanting surfaces are provided, a flow-out of the material in the welding bead can be restrained, and further a bending of the joining portion can be restrained. Further, a tab is arranged at a beginning end and a finish end of the welding and then the welding is carried out starting at one tab and ending at the other tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Kinya Aota, Yasuo Ishimaru, Takeshi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6530713
    Abstract: In a case where a welding of a member is performed through a friction stir welding, to restrain the generation of a clearance in a portion to be joined by the welding and to provide a joint having a good joining portion, abutting faces of members are formed with slanting surfaces. A friction stir welding is carried out from an upper portion. The welding is carried out with the slanting surfaces resisting the forces produced in forming the welding bead. Since the slanting surfaces are provided, a flow-out of the material in the welding bead can be restrained, and further a bending of the joining portion can be restrained. Further, a tab is arranged at a beginning end and a finish end of the welding and then the welding is carried out starting at one tab and ending at the other tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Kinya Aota, Yasuo Ishimaru, Takeshi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6527470
    Abstract: In a case where a welding of a member is performed through a friction stir welding, to restrain the generation of a clearance in a portion to be joined by the welding and to provide a joint having a good joining portion, abutting faces of members are formed with slanting surfaces. A friction stir welding is carried out from an upper portion. The welding is carried out with the slanting surfaces resisting the forces produced in forming the welding bead. Since the slanting surfaces are provided, a flow-out of the material in the welding bead can be restrained, and further a bending of the joining portion can be restrained. Further, a tab is arranged at a beginning end and a finish end of the welding and then the welding is carried out starting at one tab and ending at the other tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Kinya Aota, Yasuo Ishimaru, Takeshi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6502518
    Abstract: A dual hopper rail car is converted from a three-hopper rail car. The converted rail car includes a pair of hoppers with each hopper including a discharge opening for discharging contents of the hopper. A center sill, pair of top chords, a pair of side sills and a pair of side sheets extend along the length of the converted rail car and each includes a welded splice connection. The welded splice connection of each side sheet is adjacent and between a pair of side stakes with a tie plate extending between the pair of side stakes. The method of converting the three-hopper rail car to the two-hopper rail car includes: severing the three-hopper rail car into a first end section, a second end section and a center section that includes the center hopper and a portion of an adjacent hopper; removing the center section; and attaching the first end section to the second end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: JAC Patent Company
    Inventor: Roy W. Miller
  • Patent number: 6494637
    Abstract: In an apparatus (1) having a drive shaft (18) and having a disc-shaped support (17) which is rotationally locked to the drive shaft (18) the support (17) has two tubular projections (22, 23) each having a connecting zone (24, 25) in its interior, which connecting zone has a given height (H1, H2) and a given inner diameter (D1, D2), each of the two projections (22, 23) being connected to the drive shaft (18) by a press-fit in the area of its connecting zone (24, 25), and the two inner diameters (D1, D2) of the two connecting zones (24, 25) having different values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Alois Huber
  • Publication number: 20020131816
    Abstract: A locking ring holds a control rod drive housing tube of a nuclear power plant when a pressure chamber having a contact wall is pressurized. The contact wall faces the control rod drive housing tube presses against it when the pressure chamber is pressurized. The locking ring can lock a threaded nut after it has been screwed onto the control rod drive housing tube. In a method for securing a threaded nut of a control rod drive housing tube of a nuclear power plant in the vicinity of the threaded nut, a body is attached to the control rod drive housing tube, as a result of a contact surface of the body engaging the control rod drive housing tube. A contact surface of the pressure chamber is pressed onto the control rod drive housing tube when the pressure chamber is pressurized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Josef Forster, Georg Gebald, Alexander Hummeler, Hartmut Lelickens, Konrad Meier-Hynek
  • Patent number: 6450392
    Abstract: A groove shape and an inspection method capable of securely recognizing existence of a weld flaw of a single butt weld zone by a nondestructive inspection, such as a radiograph test or an ultrasonic test, are provided. A groove shape where a concave portion 5 is formed on a butt surface 1b and a butt surface 2b of pipes 1, 2 which are weldments to be welded is prepared and the weld zone welded by single butt welding is inspected by a nondestructive inspection such as a radiograph test or an ultrasonic test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Nakamura, Yutaka Kimura
  • Patent number: 6404322
    Abstract: A new and improved fusible link having opposite ends. The fusible link comprises two pieces each having opposite ends. One of the opposite ends of each piece defines the opposite ends of the link. The other end of said pieces overlap each other and have a eutectic solder therebetween. Means is provided adjacent the other end of the pieces to strengthen the link in tension between the opposite ends when said solder is in shear and to reduce creep. Means is also provided adjacent the other ends of the pieces to separate the pieces and break the linkage upon the eutectic solder reaching the eutectic temperature. The new and improved fusible link in a specific embodiment utilizes a crimp and crimp sliding surfaces to prevent creep at temperatures lower than the eutectic temperature for providing separation of the link upon the solder being heated to a eutectic temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Elsie Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Ruegsegger, Robert Simon
  • Patent number: 6379254
    Abstract: A method for securing components of a vehicular driveshaft includes disposing a neck of an end fitting into the open end of a driveshaft tube. The end fitting is held with respect to the driveshaft tube so that an annular gap is formed between the neck and the driveshaft tube. An inductor is provided about the driveshaft tube adjacent the end receiving the neck. The inductor is energized to generate a magnetic field for collapsing the driveshaft tube about the neck at a high velocity so that the driveshaft tube and the end fitting are welded to each other. The end fitting includes a body that is adapted to be received within the tubular member. The body includes an outer surface having a first portion that extends generally axially and a second portion that extends generally radially from the first portion. The outer surface includes a pocket formed in the second portion. The end fitting further includes a pair of arms extending from the body portion and having aligned apertures formed therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Spicer Driveshaft, Inc.
    Inventor: Boris A. Yablochnikov
  • Patent number: 6374560
    Abstract: A decorative shutter assembly includes a plurality of slats arranged in a row presenting a decorative surface with side flanges projecting rearwardly. At least one cross member overlays each of the slats and presents a decorative cross surface with side cross flanges projecting rearwardly. Each cross slat includes at least one mating member affixed behind the cross slat decorative surface having a mating wall affixed to each of the decorative surfaces for affixing the plurality batten slats to the cross slat. Alternatively, a plurality of primary slats are arranged to present a decorative surface having side flanges projecting rearwardly and at least one end piece is attached to the primary slats the ends of the primary slats are received in the end piece for adjoining and aligning said primary slats, said end piece including a cross member traversing said the primary and having slats and slat ends integrated into the end piece, each of said slats and slat ends aligning with one of the primary slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Schiedegger, Dean Douglas Dennis
  • Publication number: 20020044821
    Abstract: Method for connecting a first object to a second object along a common contact surface, wherein the first object comprises at the location of the contact surface a portion for a connecting means to be applied, which portion is accessible along an edge zone of or via at least one opening in the second object, by means of thermal spraying of particles of a material suitable as connecting means onto the first object along the edge zone of respectively via the at least one opening in the second object in a quantity such that in solidified state the deposited material particles form a connection between the first and the second object, in addition to a convector element manufactured according to this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventor: Meindert Willem Brieko
  • Publication number: 20020030037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a welding stud from a wire by cold-working and by hardening and tempering. The welding stud particularly serves to be welded to a workpiece by means of an electric stud welding method and consists of a mounting portion and a welding portion. According to the invention, the wire is first pre-treated by hardening and tempering and is then cold-worked in such a way that the mounting portion and the welding portion have different strengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Kay Sichtermann, Klaus E. Jost
  • Patent number: 6334731
    Abstract: A connector and a fixing method of this connector, which in particular are used for a submarine apparatus, in which in case that the connector is fixed to the submarine instrument tail cable, a polyethylene sheath covering the submarine instrument tail cable is prevented from melting at brazing process, are provided. A connector main body, a setscrew having slit whose direction is its stretching direction, a coupling end component, and a pipe into which the tail cable is inserted are provided. And the pipe is connected to the submarine instrument tail cable. First, the connector main body and the pipe are brazed together by heat without setting the setscrew having slit. And after the brazing process, the setscrew having slit is set to the pipe through the slit, and then the setscrew having slit is fitted to the connector main body. As a result, the heating process can be performed efficiently and the heating time can be reduced and the polyethylene sheath is prevented from melting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Yatagai
  • Publication number: 20010031173
    Abstract: In an apparatus (1) having a drive shaft (18) and having a disc-shaped support (17) which is rotationally locked to the drive shaft (18) the support (17) has two tubular projections (22, 23) each having a connecting zone (24, 25) in its interior, which connecting zone has a given height (H1, H2) and a given inner diameter (D1, D2), each of the two projections (22, 23) being connected to the drive shaft (18) by a press-fit in the area of its connecting zone (24, 25), and the two inner diameters (D1, D2) of the two connecting zones (24, 25) having different values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Alois Huber