US 2018/0001370 A1 · BARREL TANK SEAM WELDER SYSTEM

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for joining a predetermined geometrical profile shape from a sheet material (SM) includes a positioning assembly (12) including a base member (14) and a frame (16) that is operable to receive the sheet material (SM), to configure the sheet material in a predetermined orientation and to linearly translate the sheet material along a process direction (20). A Z-bar (22) is configured to guide a first longitudinal edge (FE) and second longitudinal edge (SE) of the sheet material (SM) into adjacent alignment along the process direction (20). A welding and forging assembly (60) welds and then forges a seam between the first longitudinal edge (FE) and the second longitudinal edge (SE) of the associated sheet material (SM).

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of joining overlapped end portions of one or more associated sheet materials, the method comprising:

overlapping end portions of the one or more associated sheet materials;
welding the overlapped end portions with a welding assembly configured to apply a current to at least the overlapped end portions for at least partially bonding together the overlapped end portions;
and
forging the overlapped edge portions with a forging assembly, the forging assembly configured to create a solid-phase bond between the overlapped end portions of associated sheet material.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

15/703,136Filed 13 Sep 2017

Priority

28 May 2014

Published

4 Jan 2018

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

B21J 5/002
Methods for forging, hammering, or pressing ; Special equipment or accessories therefor: hybrid process, e.g. forging following casting
B21C 37/0815
Making tubes with welded or soldered seams: without continuous longitudinal movement of the sheet during the bending operation
B21C 37/0822
Making tubes with welded or soldered seams: guiding or aligning the edges of the bent sheet
B23K 11/063
For welding longitudinal seams of tubes: lap welding

Family

Application14/288,605Continuation in part · filed 28 May 2014

Application14/824,101Continuation in part · filed 12 Aug 2015

Application15/703,136Continuation in part

US 10,150,176 B2Related patent

US 2015/0343507 A1Published application

US 2016/0016264 A1Published application

US 2018/0001370 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Barrel tank seam welder system

Life of this patent

Barrel tank seam welder system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16