Weld electrode with improved cooling
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsRobert W. Watson, Zhenke Teng, Mitra Shabani, Ante Tony Lausic, Russell A. Webster, Jerome Longtine
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Abstract
An electrode of a resistance spot welding apparatus includes a base portion, a tip portion and a tapered portion positioned between and connecting the base portion and the tip portion. A cooling channel is formed internal to the electrode to convey a flow of cooling fluid therethrough. The cooling channel includes at least one channel turn portion where the cooling channel turns 180 degrees between a channel inlet and a channel outlet.
Claims20
An electrode of a resistance spot welding apparatus, comprising:
- a base portion;
- a tip portion;
- a tapered portion disposed between and connecting the base portion and the tip portion;
- and
- a cooling channel formed internal to the electrode to convey a flow of cooling fluid therethrough, the cooling channel including at least one channel turn portion where the cooling channel turns 180 degrees between a channel inlet and a channel outlet.
A method of producing an electrode of a resistance spot welding apparatus, comprising:
- forming an electrode including:
- a base portion;
- a tip portion;
- a tapered portion disposed between and connecting the base portion and the tip portion;
- and
- a cooling channel formed internal to the electrode to convey a flow of cooling fluid therethrough, the cooling channel including at least one channel turn portion where the cooling channel turns 180 degrees between a channel inlet and a channel outlet;
- and
- performing post-forming heat treatment of the electrode, including:
- a hot isostatic pressing process;
- a solid solution annealing process;
- and
- an age hardening process.
A resistance spot welding apparatus including:
- two opposing arms;
- and
- an electrode disposed at an arm tip of each of the two opposing arms, at least one electrode including:
- a base portion;
- a tip portion;
- a tapered portion disposed between and connecting the base portion and the tip portion;
- and
- a cooling channel formed internal to the electrode to convey a flow of cooling fluid therethrough, the cooling channel including at least one channel turn portion where the cooling channel turns 180 degrees between a channel inlet and a channel outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.