Apparatus and method for resistance welding
US5225025A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1744
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automated resistance welding of materials is provided. The material may be thermoplastic material. The material has a layer of a second material adjacent thereto. The second material is a dissimilar material which may be applied as a film or a coating on the first material, or the second material may be a separate layer placed adjacent the first material. A heating element is placed in the interface between overlapping portions of the two pieces of material to be welded together. The layers are directly adjacent to the heating element. The layers can be consolidated onto the heating element if desired. The heating element can be composed of carbon fibers in a polymer matrix. The heating element is supplied with current to generate resistive heating. The heating causes melting of the layers adjacent to and contacting the material. Pressure is applied to the area being welded to fuse the materials together. A lower pressure may be applied as a clamping force to areas adjacent to the welded area. The welding may be performed in a step wise fashion to separate weld segments or substantially completely to the entire weld joint. A cooling mechanism is also prov…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.