Flange weld technique
AssigneeAPX Group, Inc.
InventorsJames E. Gerber, Robert J. Kovacs, Willy Herrmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A technique for securing a tube to a flange includes the steps of inserting the end of the tube into an aperture provided on the flange from the first side of the flange such that a portion of the tube extends at least to, and preferably beyond the second side of the flange opposite the first side. A ceramic plug is optionally inserted into the end of the tube to prevent weld spatter and tube burn-through. The tube is then welded to the flange about the circumference of the tube from the second side of the flange, and that portion of the tube which extends beyond the second side of the flange is removed by grinding to produce the finished product.
Claims12
A method for manufacturing an exhaust manifold for mounting on an engine head, said method comprising:
- providing a flange having opposed first and second sides and at least one aperture therein, said flange being defined by a chamfer at the intersection of said aperature and said second side, said chamfer having an angle of between approximately 20.degree. and approximately 60.degree. and extending into said flange to a depth of between approximately 0.01 inch and approximately 0.15 inch;
- providing at least one tube dimensioned to fit in said aperture such that a gap of between approximately 0.01 inch and approximately 0.1 inch exists between said tube and said flange;
- inserting one end of said tube into said aperture from the first side of said flange such that said tube extends beyond the surface of the second side of the said flange a distance of up to approximately one-half inch;
- welding said tube to said flange about the circumference of said tube from the second side of said flange;
- and
- removing any weld material from the surface of the second side of said flange and removing the portion of the tube which extends beyond the second side of said flange, whereby the portion of said tube extending beyond said flange substantially prevents weld material from entering said tube during said welding, and whereby the removal of said portion of said tube enables proper mounting of said flange on the engine head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.