The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 06, 1993
Filed:
May. 14, 1991
Cynthia L Lambing, Alcoa Center, PA (US);
Stephen M Andersen, Bear, DE (US);
Scott Holmes, Holland, PA (US);
Roderic Don, Newark, DE (US);
Scott Leach, Baltimore, MD (US);
John Gillespie, Hockessin, DE (US);
Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automated resistance welding of materials is provided. The material may be thermoplastic material. The material has a layer of a second material adjacent thereto. The second material is a dissimilar material which may be applied as a film or a coating on the first material, or the second material may be a separate layer placed adjacent the first material. A heating element is placed in the interface between overlapping portions of the two pieces of material to be welded together. The layers are directly adjacent to the heating element. The layers can be consolidated onto the heating element if desired. The heating element can be composed of carbon fibers in a polymer matrix. The heating element is supplied with current to generate resistive heating. The heating causes melting of the layers adjacent to and contacting the material. Pressure is applied to the area being welded to fuse the materials together. A lower pressure may be applied as a clamping force to areas adjacent to the welded area. The welding may be performed in a step wise fashion to separate weld segments or substantially completely to the entire weld joint. A cooling mechanism is also provided. The weld is simultaneously inspected for the occurrence of melting and for bond quality. A control system is provided for full automation of the system.