Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Frederick A McCurdy

Dante C Zuccaro

Mitchell Choly

Barry D Douglas

An electrical connector for a manual welding machine includes first and second contacts each having a frustoconical surface thereon engageable with one another for carrying high amperage current between the first and second contacts; one of the contacts connects to a kickless cable and the other of the contacts connects to a welding head; the contacts include a self-contained lockup mechanism concentrically within the first and second contacts for pulling the contacts together as they are initially mated to impose an amplified axial force therebetween which is amplified further in a direction transverse to the axial force to produce a contact pressure between the frustoconical surfaces of the first and second contacts of a magnitude to assure low resistance flow of high amperage welding current.

Quick connect/disconnector for high amperage current

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of utilization thereof of a quick disconnect coupling for attaching an end of arm tool (EOAT) to a robot or like wherein there is fluid communication between the robot end of the coupling and the EOAT of the coupling. The coupling of the present invention also is designed so that fluid communication can only occur after the coupling halves are joined and sealed together. Fluid communication is cut off before the coupling halves can separate from each other thereby minimizing leakage during the coupling operation.

Quick disconnect device

The present invention provides a quick disconnect coupling for a work tool to a machine. The invention in its preferred embodiment provides a coupling having fluid and electrical connections and also providing alignment independent of the locking mechanism. The present invention also is advantageous in that the locking mechanism is protected from the environment when the coupling halves are not mated and also prevents a false lock-up unless the halves of the coupling are mated and aligned.

A coupling device for connecting a work tool to a support that provides a quick disconnect for electrical and fluid connections and is characterized by the use of two separable members which can be locked together through a ball cage and lock ring arrangement.

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Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Frederick A McCurdy