Welding method and apparatus
AssigneeNycomed Imaging AS
InventorsCharles Shanks, Kevin Helle, John Krewer, Robert Hallgren
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a method for welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules (100), each tube is loaded into a holder (52), brought to a welding station (80), has one end welded closed and is then released from the holder (52). A number of holders can 2 be arranged on the periphery of a rotatable member (50), each holder being loaded with a tube at a first station, and then carrying the tube to a welding station (80) and an ejection station (90). The tubes can be loaded into the holders individually by means of an escapement mechanism (40). The invention also extends to apparatus for carrying out the method.
Claims22
An automated method of welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules, which comprises repeating the steps of:
- loading a plurality of tubes into a feed line positioned in overlying registry with a tube holder, said feed line located at a loading position;
- loading one of said plurality of tubes into said holder positioned adjacent an outside edge of a rotatable platform;
- transporting said holder between said loading position and a welding position at a welding station, wherein said loading and welding positions are distinctly located;
- welding closed one end of the one of said plurality of tubes;
- and
- releasing the welded tube from the holder.
An automated method of welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules, comprising repeating the steps of feeding each individual tube to a holder in an open condition, conveying the holder in the open condition to a welding station, causing the holder to close and grip the tube firmly by means of a holder actuator provided at the welding station, and welding one end of the tube closed.
An automated method of welding closed one end of each of a multiplicity of open-ended tubes suitable for use as brachytherapy capsules, comprising repeating the steps of receiving a tube in a holder mounted on a holder support, conveying the tube past a welding station where one end of the tube is welded closed in a welding operation, and releasing the welded tube, said holder being in the form of a block slidably mounted in a recess on the holder support and retained on said holder support by bolts passing through said block and engaging in said holder support, said block being biased outwardly by resilient means acting between said block and said holder support, said bolts retaining said block on the holder support against the resilient bias and thus serving to define an open condition of the block, said open condition of said block being variable by means of tightening or loosening said bolts, and wherein a set screw is provided in said recess to define a point beyond which said bolts may not be tightened.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.