Resistance welding fastener, apparatus and methods
AssigneeHowmet Aerospace Inc.
InventorsDonald J. Spinella, Daniel Bergstrom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for fastening dissimilar materials like steel, plastic and aluminum. A resistance welding fastener having multiple layers may be used with or without a sealant. The fastener may be used to form an aluminum covered steel laminate via a hemming pattern of attachment. The fastener may have a solid shaft or have an extended reach and have features for interacting with the welding electrode. A variety of electrode tips may be employed to cooperate with the fastener.
Claims14
A method for fastening a first material to a second material using electrical resistance welding, comprising:
- placing the first and second materials together in physical contact to form a stack;
- placing a first electrically conductive fastener that is weldable to the second material in contact with the stack, the first fastener having
- a cap,
- a shaft extending from the cap and
- an end distal to the cap,
- the cap having an electrode receiving surface with a radiused portion;
- placing the stack between a pair of electrodes, a first electrode of the pair of electrodes having a radiused portion;
- placing the first electrode against the radiused portion of the electrode receiving surface;
- placing a second electrode of the pair of electrodes in electrical continuity with the second material;
- applying an electrical potential across the stack, inducing a current to flow through the first fastener and the stack and causing resistive heating;
- moving the first fastener toward the second material;
- and
- welding the first fastener to the second material, the first material being captured between the cap and the second material after the end is welded to the second material.
A method for fastening a first material to a second material and a third material using electrical resistance welding, comprising:
- placing the first, second and third materials together in physical contact to form a stack;
- placing an electrically conductive fastener that is weldable to the second material in contact with the stack, the fastener having a cap, a shaft extending from the cap and having an end distal to the cap;
- placing the stack between a pair of electrodes;
- applying an electrical potential across the stack, inducing a current to flow through the fastener and the stack and causing resistive heating;
- moving the fastener toward the second material;
- welding the fastener to the second material;
- and
- welding the second material to the third material by the moving the fastener toward the second material and the welding the fastener to the second material,
- wherein the first material is captured between the cap and the second material after the end is welded to the second material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.