Phase change resistance spot welding tip
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsRobin Stevenson, Pei-Chung Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved spot welding tip is adapted for welding a set of adjacent members within a heated zone during a welding program, wherein a quantity of energy is produced, and for reducing the final base temperature of the heated zone. The tip presents a distal engaging surface for contacting one of the members and defines a preferably inner space located a preferred distance from the surface. A phase changing body is releasably retained within the space. At least a portion of the body changes from a first phase to a second phase by absorbing at least a portion of the heat energy during the welding program.
Claims24
An apparatus adapted for welding adjacent members during a welding cycle, wherein the apparatus and members cooperatively generate a quantity of heat energy within a heated zone, so that the temperature of the zone rises from an initial base temperature to a final base temperature, and for reducing the final base temperature, said apparatus comprising:
- an engaging element presenting a distal engaging portion located within the heated zone,
- said distal engaging portion presenting a distal surface configured to contact one of the members, a phase changing body spaced from the surface, and a remaining sub-portion,
- said body having a phase changing point greater than the initial base temperature and not greater than the final base temperature of the zone, during the welding cycle.
An apparatus adapted for welding adjacent members during a welding cycle, wherein the apparatus and members cooperatively generate a quantity of heat energy within a heated zone, so that the temperature of the zone rises from an initial base temperature to a final base temperature, and for reducing the final base temperature, said apparatus comprising:
- a tubular shank;
- a welding cap removably connected to the shank, located within the heated zone, and presenting an exterior engaging surface for contacting one of the members;
- and
- a phase changing body presenting an initial body volume,
- said cap including at least two removably interconnected parts cooperatively defining an enclosed space configured to retain the body,
- said space presenting a volume greater than the body volume, so as to enable the body to expand therein,
- said body being spaced not less than 6 mm from the engaging surface, and presenting a phase changing point greater than the initial base temperature and not greater than the final base temperature of the zone, so that at least a portion of the body changes phases during the welding cycle.
A welding component adapted for removably interconnecting to an apparatus and cooperatively welding adjacent members during a welding cycle, wherein a quantity of heat energy is generated and the component temperature rises from an initial component temperature to a final component temperature, and for reducing the final component temperature, said component comprising:
- a shell defining both a space and a distal surface configured to contact one of the members;
- and
- a phase changing body spaced from the surface, retained at least partially within the space, and having a phase changing point greater than the initial component temperature and not greater than the final component temperature.
A method for welding adjacent members, wherein a quantity of heat energy is generated within a heated zone, so that the temperature of the zone rises from an initial base temperature to a final base temperature, and for reducing the final base temperature, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) securing a distal portion of an engaging element within the heated zone and engaging one of a set of adjacent members with the distal portion;
- b) securing a body having a phase changing temperature greater than the initial base temperature and not greater than the final base temperature within the heated zone;
- and
- c) absorbing a portion of the heat energy with the body, so as to change at least a portion of the body from a first phase to a second phase, during a welding cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.