Abstract:
A method of joining sheet metal parts is disclosed which includes forming tabs on one and slots in the other of a pair of parts being welded together with the tabs having a length equal to half the dimensional thickness of the parts. The tabs fit accurately within the slots and welding takes place within the slots at the ends of the tabs so that tabs and material bordering the slots are melted together with the welding rod or wire, whereby the heat generated by the welding process and the resultant weld material are located in the neutral axis of the parts being joined together so that distortion of the parts due to the welding process is lessened or eliminated.
Abstract:
The processing time and energy efficiency of metal or composite bonding operations is improved by heating the lay-up preform of the structure in an induction heating press where energy goes primarily to heating the workpieces rather than to heating the tooling or being lost to the environment. The bonding process is especially beneficial for joining thermoplastic composites, but it also can be used with metals or thermosets. Preferential heating at the bondline is achieved by using shims to define the bondline and to define bead regions that have relief from contact with the susceptor envelope because of the thickness of the shims in the bondline regions.
Abstract:
A weld-braze process is disclosed for forming high-strength metal joints using a localized heat source in combination with braze filler material. Braze filler material is sandwiched between the metal members to be joined at predetermined weld locations and the localized heat source is directed along one of the metal members in two offset passes at the predetermined weld locations to form a pair of parallel welds. The parallel welds form a pair of weld beads extending from one of the metal members through the braze filler material and into the other metal member with the braze filler material melting and forming a braze layer region intermediate the pair of weld beads to join the metal members. In one embodiment, the localized heat source comprises a computer numerically controlled laser energy beam. A method is disclosed for joining a cover sheet to a nozzle segment base in the manufacture of a high pressure nozzle segment for aircraft engines.
Abstract:
A method for determining distortion of a member which results from the member being subjected to a welding operation is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) locating the member so that the member assumes a first position, (2) obtaining first data measurements of the member while the member is located in the first position, (3) performing the welding operation on the member whereby the member distorts and assumes a second position, (4) obtaining second data measurements of the member while the member is located in the second position, and (5) calculating distortion of the member based on the first data measurements and the second data measurements. An apparatus for determining distortion of a member which results from the member being subjected to a welding operation is also disclosed.
Abstract:
If internal support is required to keep thermoplastic parts from sagging during thermoplastic welding, silicone rubber bladder inflated to fill the space between the prefabricated composite parts, such as wingskins and spaced spars, provides positive reaction pressure. To protect the bladder we cover the sharp edges at the interface of the parts with foam or silicone rubber pads.
Abstract:
A spot welding device to secure the inner end of a coil of steel to itself to prevent uncoiling. The welding device is carried on an articulated support arm assembly that allows for positioning the welder within the coil on a gimble axis mount for proper access to the entire inner coil surface. Welding tips are selectively held against the welding surface by an extensible guide and engagement assembly.
Abstract:
A flash welding machine is capable of cutting ends of a pair of preceding and following weld members 1, 2 by means of a shear device 26, 27 and then flash welding them with each other. The flash welding machine can coat an appropriate amount of combustible fluid on the cut end surfaces of the weld members 1, 2. When a first end sensor 31 and a second end sensor 31 sense widthwise leading ends of the weld members 1, 2, a first and a second nozzle 35, 36 start coating the combustible fluid on the cut end surfaces of the weld members 1, 2 from the widthwise leading ends of the weld meets 1, 2. The nozzles 35, 36 stop coating when either one of the sensors 31, 33 senses a widthwise trailing end of one of the weld members 1, 2. Thus, it becomes possible to coat the combustible fluid on the cut ends of the weld members 1, 2 over an area extending from the widthwise leading end to the widthwise trailing end thereof.
Abstract:
A die for use in an induction heating workcell incorporates segments of the induction coil in spaced array within a cast ceramic or phenolic body. A peripheral compression frame, typically of phenolic, surrounds the die body and applies a compressive load to the body through lateral and transverse reinforcing rods that are cast into the body. Matched dies close to trap heat in a workpiece at the center of the induction coil.
Abstract:
An apparatus for light-beam treatment comprises a radiation concentrator having a reflecting surface which is formed by a first surface of revolution, which is a truncated surface of revolution of a first ellipsoid of revolution, by a second surface which is a truncated surface of revolution of a second ellipsoid of revolution, the concentrator further having an additional reflecting truncated spherical surface located between said first and said second surfaces of revolution. A first and a second focus of the first ellipsoid of revolution are coincident with a first and a second focuses of the second ellipsoid of revolution. The first focus is an emitting one and a gas-discharge light source is positioned therein, and the second focus is a working focus in which a workpiece being treated is placed.
Abstract:
For forming or consolidating organic matrix composites, for example, an organic matrix composite panel is sealed in a "retort" between sheets of a susceptor material that is susceptible to induction heating. The susceptor sheets are heated inductively. The sheets in turn conduct heat to the organic matrix composite panel. When heated to the desired temperature, the composite panel is consolidated and/or formed. In the present invention, the susceptor sheets are selected so that their magnetic permeability decreases to unity at approximately the desired operating temperature thereby limiting heating to this "Curie temperature" and providing substantial uniformity of temperature in the panel. Of course, the concept applies to other induction heating operations for metals including SPF, brazing, annealing, heat treating, bonding, hot pressing, and the like.