Brazing probe
AssigneeCarrier Corporation
InventorGustavo Torres
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A brazing apparatus to join a first component and a second component includes a heating element configured to melt a ring located at a joint between the first component and the second component, and a probe configured to contact the ring. A position of the probe is biased toward the ring. The probe is installed at a probe support. The probe is movable along a probe central axis relative to the probe support. A sensor is operably connected to the probe and is configured to determine movement of the probe along the probe central axis. The movement of the probe is indicative of melting of the ring.
Claims17
A brazing apparatus suitable for joining a first component and a second component, the brazing apparatus comprising:
- a heating element configured to melt a ring disposed at a joint between the first component and the second component;
- and
- a probe configured to contact the ring, a position of the probe biased toward the ring,
- a probe support at which the probe is installed, the probe movable along a probe central axis relative to the probe support;
- a sensor operably connected to the probe and configured to determine movement of the probe along the probe central axis, the movement of the probe indicative of the melting of the ring;
- and
- a compression spring operably connected to the probe to bias the position of the probe toward the ring.
A brazing apparatus suitable for joining a first component and a second component, the brazing apparatus comprising:
- a heating element configured to melt a ring disposed at a joint between the first component and the second component;
- and
- a probe configured to contact the ring, a position of the probe biased toward the ring,
- a probe support at which the probe is installed, the probe movable along a probe central axis relative to the probe support;
- and
- a sensor operably connected to the probe and configured to determine movement of the probe along the probe central axis, the movement of the probe indicative of the melting of the ring;
- and
- a controller operably connected to the sensor and the heating element, the controller configured to stop operation of the heating element when the sensor detects movement of the probe along the probe central axis.
A method of brazing a tube, the method comprising:
- positioning a probe in contact with a ring disposed at a joint between a first tube portion and a second tube portion, the probe biased toward the ring;
- positioning a heating element at the joint;
- melting the ring via operation of the heating element;
- and
- detecting movement of the probe along a probe central axis via a sensor operably connected to the probe, the movement of the probe indicative of melting of the ring;
- and
- stopping operation of the heating element when the sensor detects movement of the probe along the probe central axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.