US 4,791,265 A · Methods and apparatus for electric resistance welding

Abstract

An electric resistance welder comprises a frame and a movable arm mounted to the frame for gravitational movement relative thereto. A movable electrode is carried at an end of the movable arm. A stationary electrode is spaced opposite the movable electrode to accommodate a plurality of workpieces therebetween, with the movable electrode resting against the workpieces and gravitationally biased toward the stationary electrode. An electric pulse is conducted through the electrodes and workpieces for heating and softening the workpieces to enable the arm to accelerate toward the stationary electrode at the acceleration of gravity, whereby the movable electrode collapses the workpieces toward one another. A stop is arranged to be engaged by the arm for terminating travel of the arm when the movable electrode has traveled a predetermined distance toward the stationary electrode, and subsequent to termination of the electric pulse. Such a technique is highly suited toward the welding of a ball to a wire, the ball and wire having diameters no greater than 0.04 inches.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An electric resistance welding apparatus for achieving a preceision-depth weld comprising:

frame means;
a gravitationally movable arm mounted to said frame means for upward and gravitational downward movement relative thereto;
a movable electrode carried at an end of said movable arm;
a stationary electrode spaced opposite said movable electrode to accommodate a plurality of workpieces therebetween, with said movable electrode resting against the workpieces and gravitationally biased toward said stationary electrode;
means for conducting an electric pulse through said electrodes and workpieces for heating and softening the workpieces to enable workpieces to be collapsed toward one another under the weight of said movable electrode whereupon said movable electrode descends under the influence of gravity toward said stationary electrode at the acceleration of gravity;
and
adjustable stop means on one of said arm and frame means and arranged to be engaged by an abutment on the other of said arm and frame means for terminating travel of said arm once the electric pulse has terminated, to prevent movement of said movable electrode beyond a desired welding distance and thereby produce a weld of precision depth.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for electric resistance welding

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for electric resistance welding

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7