Conformal skate for induction welding
US5635094A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/7172
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A conformal skate for use in an inductive welding system for creating a fusion bond along a bond line between two thermoplastic parts includes a wheel having a circumferential casing made of fluid impervious flexible material. The wheel is rotatably mounted on a fixed axle by fluid tight bearings. The axle has an axial passage for admission of pressurizing and cooling fluid, and for power leads for the coil and for leads for sensors inside the wheel. A vertical mount on the axle supports the coil for vertical motion and biases the coil downwardly so that it remains in contact with the inside surface of the casing despite unevenness or contour changes in the upper surface of the top part or changes in the wheel shape when the fluid pressure in the wheel or downward force on the axel is changed. A supporting member such as a strut or frame supports the axle and applies the downward force which the wheel distributes over the footprint in contact with the top part, in line with the magnetic field generated by the coil. The size of the wheel footprint is a function of the amount to liquid in the wheel and the force exerted by the supporting member, which pressurizes the fluid sealed in …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.