Vibratory welding apparatus

Claim 2

A nesting structure for a workpiece to be welded by vibratory energy sequentially at several circumferentially spaced locations comprising: support means for receiving the workpiece in indexed position; means for rotationally indexing the workpiece while disposed on said support means; means for causing said support means with the workpiece supported thereon to undergo reciprocating motion for causing alternatingly the workpiece engaging tip of a vibratory welding apparatus to engage the workpiece or be withdrawn therefrom; force exerting means coupled between said support means and said means for causing said support means to undergo reciprocating motion for causing a workpiece on said support means to be in forced contact with the workpiece engaging tip; means disposed for sensing the condition when said support means is disposed in a first position in which the workpiece is withdrawn from the tip and in a second position in which the workpiece is in forced contact with the tip, and control means coupled to said means for sensing, said means for indexing and said means for causing said support means to undergo reciprocating motion for causing operation of said means for indexing when said support means is in said first position and causing operation of the means providing vibratory energy when said support means is in said second position.

Claim 3

A nesting structure for a workpiece to be welded as set forth in claim 1, said support means including a set of rollers; said means for rotationally indexing including an electric step motor adapted to provide stepped rotation, and means for coupling the rotation of said motor to the workpiece for rotating the workpiece on said rollers.

Claim 4

A nesting structure for a workpiece to be welded as set forth in claim 2, said means for coupling the rotation including a gear disposed to engage a portion of the workpiece on said support means.

Claim 5

A nesting structure for a workpiece to be welded as set forth in claim 1, said support means including a pivotally mounted plate; said means causing said support means to undergo reciprocating motion including a motor, and an eccentric cam driven by said motor and coupled to drive said pivotally mounted plate for effecting said reciprocating motion.

Claim 6

A nesting structure for a workpiece to be welded as set forth in claim 4, a flywheel coupled to said motor, and control means coupled for causing energizing of said motor with alternating current to cause said reciprocating motion and including direct current means for braking said motor when the tip is in predetermined forced contact with the workpiece.

Claim 7

A nesting structure for a workpiece as set forth in claim 5, said force exerting means including a gas filled pressure cell connected to a source of pressurized gas, and said cam causing a piston of said cell to act upon said pressurized gas for causing a resultant displacement of a cover plate forming a part of said cell fastened to said pivotally mounted plate and for causing a substantially constant engagement force between said tip and workpiece.

Claim 8

A nesting structure for a workpiece to be welded by vibratory energy sequentially at several circumferentially spaced locations comprising: a pivotally mounted plate having a pair of rollers for receiving thereon a workpiece to be moved alternatingly into forced engagement with the tip of a substantially stationary vibratory welding apparatus and be withdrawn therefrom; first motive means movable with said plate and including means for engaging the workpiece for rotatably indexing the workpiece relative to said tip in response to actuation of said motive means; a substantially stationary plate supporting a second motive means adapted for bidirectional rotation; cam means coupled to said second motive means; a gas filled pressurized cell; means coupling said cell to said cam means and to said pivotally mounted plate for causing, responsive to selective rotation of said cam means, a force to be applied to said pressure cell for moving said pivotally mounted plate and providing forced engagement between said tip and a predetermined location of the workpiece; means for connecting the gas in said cell to a pressurized source of such gas; sensing means disposed for sensing the condition when the workpiece responsive to rotation of said cam means is in a predetermined position withdrawn from said tip and in forced engagement with said tip, and control means coupled to said sensing means and said first and said second motive means for causing correlated operation of said second motive means and cam means to provide pivotal motion of said pivotally mounted plate to cause the workpiece to be alternatingly in forced engagement with the tip and withdrawn therefrom and for causing operation of said first motive means for rotationally indexing the workpiece by a predetermined amount when the workpiece is withdrawn from the tip.

Claim 9

A nesting structure for a workpiece to be welded by vibratory energy sequentially at several circumferentially spaced locations comprising: a pivotally mounted plate having a pair of rollers for receiving thereon a workpiece to be moved alternatingly into forced engagement with the tip of a substantially stationary vibratory welding apparatus and be withdrawn therefrom; first motive means movable with said plate and including means for engaging the workpiece for rotatably indexing the workpiece relative to said tip in response to actuation of said motive means; a substantially stationary plate supporting a second motive means adapted for bidirectional rotation; cam means coupled to said second motive means; a gas filled pressurized cell; means coupling said cell to said cam means and to said pivotally mounted plate for causing, responsive to selective rotation of said cam means, a force to be applied to said pressure cell for moving said pivotally mounted plate and providing forced engagement between said tip and a predetermined location of the workpiece; means for connecting the gas in said cell to a pressurized source of such gas; sensing means disposed for sensing the condition when the workpiece responsive to rotation of said cam means is in a predetermined position withdrawn from said tip and in forced engagement with said tip, and control means coupled to said sensing means and said first and said second motive means for causing correlated operation of said second motive means and cam means to provide pivotal motion of said pivotally mounted plate to cause the workpiece to be alternatingly in forced engagement with the tip and withdrawn therefrom and for causing operation of said first motive means for rotationally indexing the workpiece by a predetermined amount when the workpiece is withdrawn from the tip.

Claim 10

A nesting structure for a workpiece to be welded as set forth in claim 7, said pivotally mounted plate including means for supporting the workpiece at several locations.

Claim 11

A nesting structure for a workpiece to be welded as set forth in claim 8, said means coupling said cam means to said pressure cell including a cam follower mounted to a pivotally mounted arm, and a roller coupling said cam follower to a piston forming a part of said cell.