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US 9,868,249 B2Granted
Induction welding system
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMarc Rollo Matsen, Robert James Miller, William C. Dykstra
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing induction welding. A number of protective layers are positioned between a susceptor layer and at least one of a plurality of workpieces at a weld location. An undesired current path is prevented from forming at the weld location during induction heating of the plurality of workpieces by the number of protective layers.
Claims20
An apparatus that comprises:
- a retaining structure configured to retain a first workpiece and a second workpiece configured to be induction-welded to the first workpiece at a weld location;
- a susceptor layer comprised of a number of susceptors;
- a number of protective layers positioned between the susceptor layer and at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece at the weld location, the number of protective layers configured to be welded together and to prevent, during induction heating of the weld location, a flow of an electric current from at least one of:
- a susceptor in the number of susceptors into the first workpiece;
- the first workpiece to the second workpiece;
- and
- the second workpiece to the first workpiece, at the weld location.
4 more elements
An apparatus configured to weld a first workpiece to a second workpiece, such that the apparatus comprises:
- a retaining structure configured to retain a first workpiece and a second workpiece configured to be induction-welded to the first workpiece at a weld location;
- a susceptor layer that comprises an electrically conductive material;
- a number of protective layers configured to sandwich the susceptor layer at the weld location, such that the number of protective layers comprises a material configured to inductive weld to objects and prevent a flow of an electric current, responsive to a current applied to the susceptor layer, from the first workpiece adjacent to a protective layer on one side of the susceptor layer, to the second workpiece adjacent to a protective layer on an opposite side of the susceptor layer.
An apparatus configured for induction welding, such that the apparatus comprises;
- a retaining structure configured to retain a first workpiece and a second workpiece configured to be induction-welded to the first workpiece at a weld location;
- and
- a number of protective layers configured to sandwich a susceptor layer in a weld stack at the weld location, such that the number of protective layers comprises a material configured to be welded together and at least one of:
- interrupt, and prevent, a flow of electric current, responsive to current applied to the susceptor layer, between at least one of:
- a surface, away from the susceptor layer, of a protective layer on one side of the susceptor layer, and a surface, away from the susceptor layer, of a protective layer on an opposite side of the susceptor layer;
- and
- a susceptor in the susceptor layer and at least one of:
- the surface, away from the susceptor layer, of the protective layer on the one side of the susceptor layer;
- and
- the surface, away from the susceptor layer, of the protective layer on the opposite side of the susceptor layer, such that the susceptor layer comprises a number of susceptors configured to be energized and produce heat to a designated Curie temperature.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.