公开(公告)号：US20180071856A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-15

申请号：US15813887

申请日：2017-11-15

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Michael J. Karagoulis ,  David R. Sigler

IPC: B23K11/24 ,  B23K11/11

CPC classification number: B23K11/241 ,  B23K11/115

Abstract: A programmable polarity module that permits rapid on-demand control of the polarities assigned to the welding electrodes retained on a welding gun is disclosed. The programmable polarity module is electrically connectable to the welding gun and a direct current power supply unit to provide direct current to the welding electrodes for exchange during spot welding. A first interchangeable polarity output lug and a second interchangeable polarity output lug of the programmable polarity module permit the polarities of the welding electrodes to be switched without having to electrically disconnect the module from the welding gun.

公开(公告)号：US09908199B2

公开(公告)日：2018-03-06

申请号：US14174339

申请日：2014-02-06

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Michael J. Karagoulis ,  David R. Sigler

IPC: B23K11/24 ,  B23K11/11

CPC classification number: B23K11/241 ,  B23K11/115

Abstract: A programmable polarity module that permits rapid on-demand control of the polarities assigned to the welding electrodes retained on a welding gun is disclosed. The programmable polarity module is electrically connectable to the welding gun and a direct current power supply unit to provide direct current to the welding electrodes for exchange during spot welding. A first interchangeable polarity output lug and a second interchangeable polarity output lug of the programmable polarity module permit the polarities of the welding electrodes to be switched without having to electrically disconnect the module from the welding gun.

公开(公告)号：US20170225262A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-10

申请号：US15418768

申请日：2017-01-29

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： David R. Sigler ,  Blair E. Carlson ,  Michael J. Karagoulis

IPC: B23K11/30 ,  B23B5/16

Abstract: A cutting tool that can simultaneously cut and restore asymmetric weld face geometries of two welding electrodes that are subject to different degradation mechanisms is disclosed along with a method of using such a cutting tool during resistance spot welding of workpiece stack-ups that include dissimilar metal workpieces. The cutting tool includes a first cutting socket and a second cutting socket. The first cutting socket is defined by one or more first shearing surfaces and the second cutting is defined by one or more second shearing surfaces. The first shearing surface(s) and the second shearing surface(s) are profiled to cut and restore a first weld face geometry and a second weld face geometry, respectively, that are different from each other upon receipt of electrode weld faces within the cutting sockets and rotation of the cutting tool.

公开(公告)号：US09676065B2

公开(公告)日：2017-06-13

申请号：US13621299

申请日：2012-09-17

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： David R. Sigler ,  Michael J. Karagoulis

IPC: B23K11/11 ,  B23K35/22 ,  B23K11/30 ,  B23K35/30 ,  B23K103/04 ,  B23K103/10

CPC classification number: B23K35/222 ,  B23K11/115 ,  B23K11/3063 ,  B23K35/302 ,  B23K2103/04 ,  B23K2103/10

Abstract: A method for welding a plurality of aluminum to aluminum welds and a plurality of steel to steel welds using the same welder includes providing a resistance spot welder with a pair of weld electrodes having an electrode face radius of curvature in the range between 20 mm and 40 mm. The series of aluminum to aluminum welds is first made, and then, after completing the aluminum to aluminum welds, the series of steel to steel welds are made. After completing the steel to steel welds the weld electrodes are cleaned by an abrasive to remove any buildup or contamination of aluminum on the electrodes. In the event the electrodes have mushroomed, then dressing of the electrodes is provided and then the abrasive cleaning is performed to restore the surface texture.

公开(公告)号：US20170072502A1

公开(公告)日：2017-03-16

申请号：US14854467

申请日：2015-09-15

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Michael J. Karagoulis ,  David R. Sigler

IPC: B23K11/11 ,  B23K11/24 ,  B23K11/16

CPC classification number: B23K11/115 ,  B23K11/16 ,  B23K2103/04

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding steel workpieces—at least one of which includes a high-strength steel substrate having a tensile strength of 1000 MPa or greater—involves passing a pulsating DC electrical current between a pair of aligned welding electrodes that are pressed against opposite sides of a workpiece stack-up that includes the steel workpieces. The pulsating DC electrical current delivers sufficient power through the weld site by way of electrical current pulses to initiate and grow a molten steel weld pool at each faying interface within the workpiece stack-up that solidifies into a weld nugget of uniform hardness. In other words, each of the weld nuggets formed by the pulsating DC electrical current does not include soft, coarse, and alloy deficient shell regions that tend to reduce the strength of the weld nugget.

Abstract translation: 一种电阻点焊钢工件的方法 - 其中至少一个包括抗拉强度为1000MPa或更大的高强度钢基材 - 包括使一对对齐的焊接电极之间的脉动直流电流通过相对的 包括钢工件的工件叠层的侧面。 脉动直流电流通过电流脉冲通过焊接部位提供足够的电力，以在工件堆叠内的每个接合界面处起始和生长熔融钢熔池，从而固化成具有均匀硬度的焊接熔核。 换句话说，由脉动DC电流形成的每个焊接块不包括倾向于降低焊点熔核强度的软的，粗的和合金缺陷的壳区。

公开(公告)号：US20160354857A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-08

申请号：US15237770

申请日：2016-08-16

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： David R. Sigler ,  Michael J. Karagoulis

IPC: B23K11/30 ,  B23K35/30 ,  B23K11/11

CPC classification number: B23K11/3063 ,  B23B5/166 ,  B23K11/11 ,  B23K11/115 ,  B23K35/222 ,  B23K35/302 ,  B23K2103/10

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding aluminum alloy workpieces together is disclosed that involves periodically texturing and dressing of at least one of the two electrode weld faces. The texturing and dressing steps help preserve the ability of the welding electrode to deliver electrical current through the overlapping aluminum alloy workpieces being welding despite the presence of one or more oxide layers on the surfaces of the workpieces and, as such, are effective in prolonging the useful life of the electrode(s).

Abstract translation: 公开了一种将铝合金工件的电阻点焊在一起的方法，其包括周期性地对两个电极焊接面中的至少一个进行构图和修整。 纹理和修整步骤有助于保持焊接电极通过正在焊接的重叠铝合金工件传送电流的能力，尽管在工件的表面上存在一个或多个氧化物层，并且因此有效地延长了 电极的使用寿命。

公开(公告)号：US20150053654A1

公开(公告)日：2015-02-26

申请号：US14462655

申请日：2014-08-19

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： David R. Sigler ,  Blair E. Carlson ,  Michael J. Karagoulis

IPC: B23K11/20 ,  B23K11/30 ,  B23K11/11

CPC classification number: B23K11/20 ,  B23K11/115 ,  B23K11/30 ,  B23K11/3063 ,  B23K35/0205 ,  B23K2103/20

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding a steel workpiece and an aluminum or aluminum alloy (“aluminum”) workpiece together includes several steps. One step involves providing a workpiece stack-up with a steel workpiece and an aluminum workpiece. Another step involves attaching a cover over a weld face of a welding electrode. The cover is made of a metal material with an electrical resistivity that is greater than an electrical resistivity of a material of the welding electrode. Yet another step involves performing multiple individual resistance spot welds to the workpiece stack-up. The cover abuts the aluminum workpiece while the individual resistance spot welds are performed. And another step involves removing the cover from the welding electrode after the individual spot welds are performed.

Abstract translation: 钢工件和铝或铝合金（“铝”）工件的电阻点焊方法包括几个步骤。 一步包括提供与钢工件和铝工件的工件堆叠。 另一步涉及将盖覆盖在焊接电极的焊接面上。 该盖由电阻率大于焊接电极材料的电阻率的金属材料制成。 另一个步骤涉及对工件堆叠执行多个单独的电阻点焊。 当执行单独的电阻点焊时，盖与铝工件邻接。 另外一步是在进行各个点焊之后从焊接电极上拆下盖子。