US3592995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated electron beam welding
Assignee: AO Smith Corp
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Filing: 1968-11-18
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1988-11-18
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to an electron beam welding apparatus having a cylindrical outer housing. A plurality of equally circumferentially spaced chambers are secured to a central rotating support and project outwardly into sealing engagement with the outer housing. Operating stations are located about the assembly and include a loading station, a pair of vacuum pumping stations, a welding station and an unloading station. The welding station includes an opening through which an electron beam gun is secured to the outer portion of the housing in alignment with the opening. The gun is mounted to rotate to establish a circular weld.
Inventors
- 👤 John F Hinrichs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/02; H01J37/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An electron beam welding apparatus, comprising a multiple chambered assembly having an axis of rotation, at least three circumferentially spaced chambers projecting radially of said assembly and each terminating in a chamber opening, work support means within each chamber to support a work member within the chamber, a sealing sidewall encircling said assembly immediately adjacent the chamber openings and extending transversely and circumferentially about the assembly and including sidewall openings defining operating stations circumferentially spaced and aligned in accordance with said spaced chambers and including at least a transfer station, a vacuum pumping station including means to establish a vacuum in an aligned chamber and a welding station, a sliding sealing means about each chamber opening between said sealing sidewall and said chamber, means to establish relative movement between said sealing sidewall and said assembly to sequentially align each chamber with said stations, an electron beam gun chamber secured to the sidewall at the welding station in alignment with an opening in said sidewall, and electron beam gun, mounted within said gun chamber, and means to maintain said electron beam gun chamber at a welding vacuum whereby the welding beam may be established immediately upon the alignment of a chamber with said welding station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An electron beam welding apparatus, comprising a multiple chambered assembly having an axis of rotation, at least three circumferentially spaced chambers projecting radially of said assembly and each terminating in a chamber opening, work support means within each chamber to support a work member within the chamber, a sealing sidewall encircling said assembly immediately adjacent the chamber openings and extending transversely and circumferentially about the assembly and including sidewall openings defining operating stations circumferentially spaced and aligned in accordance with said spaced chambers and including at least a transfer station, a vacuum pumping station including means to establish a vacuum in an aligned chamber and a welding station, a sliding sealing means about each chamber opening between said sealing sidewall and said chamber, means to establish relative movement between said sealing sidewall and said assembly to sequentially align each chamber with said stations, an electron beam gun chamber secured to the sidewall at the welding station in alignment with an opening in said sidewall, and electron beam gun, mounted within said gun chamber, and means to maintain said electron beam gun chamber at a welding vacuum whereby the welding beam may be established immediately upon the alignment of a chamber with said welding station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The electron beam welding apparatus of claim 1, including means coupled to said gun to move the electron beam with respect to an aligned chamber for forming of elonGated welds on said work.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electron beam welding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said multiple chambered assembly includes at least five chambers and said sidewall includes separate loading and unloading stations and having a pair of vacuum pumping stations between the loading station and the welding gun chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The electron beam welding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sealing sidewall is a first outer ring wall, said chambers are secured to a support hub and project radially outwardly therefrom and terminate in a second outer ring wall adjacent the first ring wall, and said sealing means includes seal members disposed between said ring walls to separately encompass the openings of each chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
The electron beam welding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sealing wall means is a first outer ring wall, said chambers are secured to a control hub and project radially outwardly therefrom and terminate in a second outer ring wall adjacent the first ring wall, annular sliding seal members disposed between said ring walls above and below said chambers, cross seal members disposed between said ring walls to the opposite sides of each chamber and extending between said annular seal members, and having drive means coupled to said hub to provide stepped movement of the chambers between said stations.
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) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |