Ultrasonic welding of composites using C frame tooling
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsFred C. Cooper, Bradley J. Blaski, David J. Stasiak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A number of variations may include a weld gun and a method of operating the weld gun including a motor operably coupled to a converter. The converter may be operably coupled to a booster. A horn may be operably coupled to the booster. An anvil may be operably coupled to the horn wherein vibration of the horn may be caused by the motor. Moreover, the vibration of the horn may produce heat in order to weld a piece which may be disposed adjacent to the horn. The weld gun may not require separate or additional tooling.
Claims20
A weld gun consisting essentially of:
- a motor operably coupled to a converter;
- a horn operably coupled to the converter, the horn being constructed and arranged to vibrate at about 250 vibrations per second to about 60,000 vibrations per second;
- and
- an anvil disposed inline and opposite the horn and integrated with an arm;
- the horn, the arm, and the anvil forming a single integral weld gun absent additional structural connection elements, wherein the horn is constructed and arranged to vibrate and wherein the vibration of the horn produces heat to weld a piece disposed between the horn and the anvil.
An ultrasonic weld gun consisting essentially of:
- a motor operably coupled to a converter;
- a booster operably coupled to the converter;
- a horn operably coupled to the booster;
- and
- an anvil integrated with an arm and the horn to form a single integral weld gun absent additional structural connection elements, wherein the horn is constructed and arranged to vibrate;
- and
- wherein the horn vibrates at about 250 vibrations per second to about 60,000 vibrations per second to produce heat to weld a piece disposed adjacent to the horn and wherein the horn is constructed and arranged to apply a force of about 40 pounds-force to about 250 pounds-force to the piece.
A welding method consisting of:
- operating a motor wherein the motor is operably coupled to a converter;
- transferring energy from the converter into a horn, wherein the horn is operably coupled to the converter;
- producing heat by vibrating the horn at about 250 vibrations per second to about 60,000 vibrations per second in order to weld a piece disposed adjacent to the horn;
- and wherein the horn is constructed and arranged to apply a force of about 40 pounds-force to about 250 pounds-force to the piece;
- and
- wherein the anvil is integrally formed with an arm and the horn as part of a single integral weld gun absent additional structural connection elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.