Patent · US Expired

Welding method and apparatus

US6474535B1 · kind B1 · utility

35Cited by
20References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 6, 2000
Grant dateNov 5, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 6, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/5199
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In a method for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules (100), each tube is loaded into a holder (52), brought to a welding station (80), has one end welded closed and is then released from the holder (52). A number of holders can 2 be arranged on the periphery of a rotatable member (50), each holder being loaded with a tube at a first station, and then carrying the tube to a welding station (80) and an ejection station (90). The tubes can be loaded into the holders individually by means of an escapement mechanism (40). The invention also extends to apparatus for carrying out the method.

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