Welding method and apparatus
AssigneeAmersham Health AS
InventorsCharles Shanks, Kevin Helle, John Krewer, Robert Hallgren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a method for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules (100), each tube is loaded into a holder (52), brought to a welding station (80), has one end welded closed and is then released from the holder (52). A number of holders can be arranged on the periphery of a rotatable member (50), each holder being loaded with a tube at a first station, and then carrying the tube to a welding station (80) and an ejection station (90). The tubes can be loaded into the holders individually by means of an escapement mechanism (40). The invention also extends to apparatus for carrying, out the method
Claims24
An automated method of welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules, which comprises repeating the steps of:
- loading each tube into a holder;
- bringing the tube in the holder to a welding station;
- welding closed one end of the tube;
- and
- releasing the welded tube from the holder.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the holder receives a tube, conveys the tube to the welding station where one end of the tube is welded, and releases the welded tube, said holder moving in a closed loop.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said holder is mounted at the periphery of a holder support in the form of a rotatable member.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said holder adopts an open condition when receiving and releasing a tube and a closed condition to grip the tube firmly at least during welding of the tube.
An automated method of welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules, comprising repeating the steps of feeding each individual tube -to a holder in an open condition, conveying the holder in the open condition to a welding station, causing the holder to close and grip the tube firmly by means of a holder actuator provided at the welding station, and welding one end of the tube closed.
An automated method of welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules, comprising repeating the steps of receiving a tube in a holder mounted on a holder support, conveying the tube past a welding station where one end of the tube is welded closed in a welding operation, and releasing the welded tube, said holder being in the form of a block slidably mounted in a recess on the holder support and retained on said holder support by bolts passing through said block and engaging in said holder support, said block being biassed outwardly by resilient means acting between said block and said holder support, said bolts retaining said block on the holder support against the resilient bias and thus serving to define an open condition of the block, said open condition of said block being variable by means of tightening or loosening said bolts, and wherein a set screw is provided in said recess to define a point beyond which said bolts may not be tightened.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each holder is formed from Elkonite.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a holder support is formed from Elkonite.
Apparatus for carrying out a method as claimed in any of the preceding claims.
A method for welding closed the ends of tubes for use as brachytherapy capsules substantially as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
Apparatus for welding closed the ends of tubes for use as brachytherapy capsules substantially as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.