Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for clamping an assembly of parts for laser welding

US4461946A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
9References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 11, 1982
Grant dateJul 24, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 11, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF26B23/10
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An assembly of top and bottom plates spaced apart vertically by peripheral and intermediate spacer bars forming a shelf of freeze drying or other processing equipment, is held together on a movable base support by peripheral clamps mounted removably at selected positions on the base support. A hollow framework carriage is mounted on the base support for movement above and relative to the shelf assembly and it supports a pair of elongated, laterally spaced clamp bars for retractable movement toward and away from the base support for releasably clamping therebetween interposed portions of the shelf assembly. A laser welder then is moved relative to the clamp assembly to weld the components together in the clamped areas. Upon completion of the welding operation, the clamp bars are retracted and the framework moved over the base support and assembly to the area next to be welded, whereupon the clamp bars are extended into clamping position and the welding operation is repeated.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.