Welding system for attaching firing tips to spark plug electrodes
US9573218B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01T21/02
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A welding system for welding small precious metal firing tips to spark plug electrodes, such as ground and/or center electrodes. According to one embodiment, the welding system includes a firing tip storage assembly and a firing tip welding assembly, where the firing tip storage assembly uses pressurized gas introduced at the bottom of a part container to float or lift the firing tips so that the firing tip welding assembly can more easily acquire them with a vacuum-driven nozzle that also doubles as a welding electrode. The firing tip welding assembly is mounted to a robotic apparatus that can index or move the firing tip welding assembly between the firing tip storage assembly, a welding station and/or any other suitable positions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.