Patent · US Expired

Robotic welding torch and method of assembly

US5866874A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
13References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 17, 1996
Grant dateFeb 2, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 17, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K9/296
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved robotic welding torch includes a conductive inner body tube with first and second receiving areas for receiving a rear housing retaining device and a robotic mount retaining device. A removable robotic mount is slidably positioned over the conductive inner body tube and is preferably held in a fixed axial position by the robotic mount retaining device on one end and a rear housing on the other end. The robotic mount may be replaced with another robotic mount of a desired diameter without dismantling the entire robotic torch assembly. The robotic welding torch may be assembled with an integrated robotic mounting arm in place of the robotic mount so that the torch assembly may be attached directly to a collision sensor on a welding robot. A method of assembling or disassembling a robotic welding torch includes the steps of removably sliding and attaching a rear housing and either a robotic mount or integrated robotic mounting arm by sliding either one onto the inner body tube and against the edge of the rear housing. The robotic mount or integrated mounting arm are removable without the need to completely disassemble the robotic torch through the use of two retaining devi…

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