US3563444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for friction welding
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1968-02-12
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1988-02-12
Abstract
Abstract An inertia welding machine having its nondriven tailstock mounted to permit rotation during welding contact between two weld parts and providing a plurality of flywheels for selective rotational association with the tailstock during welding. To provide optimum surface velocity between parts having a small weld interface which would normally result in excessive rotational energy in relation to weld requirements, the nondriven tailstock is permitted to rotate with an associated inertia mass to absorb a portion of the energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin D Loyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:26
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K20/00; B23K20/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In a weld machine of the type having a drivable spindle and a tailstock for respectively holding two weld parts and engaging them in rubbing contact at a common interface to heat the interface to plastic weldable condition according to input energy applied to the spindle, the improvement comprising mounting means constructed to support and permit substantially free rotation of the tailstock in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the drivable spindle during the rubbing contact of the weld parts and means associated with the tailstock for selectively resisting rotation of the tailstock and permitting controlled acceleration of the tailstock while the two weld parts are engaged at their interface and during heating of the interface to absorb a preselected portion of the input energy and reduce the amount of energy absorbed at the weld interface relative to driven speed of the spindle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a weld machine of the type having a drivable spindle and a tailstock for respectively holding two weld parts and engaging them in rubbing contact at a common interface to heat the interface to plastic weldable condition according to input energy applied to the spindle, the improvement comprising mounting means constructed to support and permit substantially free rotation of the tailstock in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the drivable spindle during the rubbing contact of the weld parts and means associated with the tailstock for selectively resisting rotation of the tailstock and permitting controlled acceleration of the tailstock while the two weld parts are engaged at their interface and during heating of the interface to absorb a preselected portion of the input energy and reduce the amount of energy absorbed at the weld interface relative to driven speed of the spindle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the rotational resisting means is an inertia mass coupled for rotation with the tailstock.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising an inertia mass associated for rotation with the spindle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said mounting means comprises a hydrostatic bearing for receiving a rotatable piston which supports the tailstock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said hydrostatic bearing includes means for receiving fluid pressure to urge the piston and tailstock thereby supported toward the spindle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said inertia mass comprises a plurality of flywheels selectively associated for rotation with the tailstock.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |