Patent · US Expired

Method for welding thin tabs in wide slots

US6723950B1 · kind B1 · utility

4Cited by
4References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 12, 2003
Grant dateApr 20, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 12, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K26/60
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for reliably welding a relatively thin tab into a relatively wide slot is provided. The system and method forms a protrusion on the tab. When the tab with the protrusion is inserted into the slot, the protrusion causes the tab to be firmly pressed against one side of the slot. With the tab pressed firmly against the side of the slot, the tab can then be welded to the slot. Because the tab is pressed firmly against the side of the slot during welding, the reliability of the welding process is improved. The present invention is applicable to all welding procedures, but is particularly applicable to laser welding used in precision manufacturing. In those applications, the protrusion causes the tab to be firmly held against the side of the slot while the laser welds the tab and slot together.

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