US3916140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for strip flash welding
Assignee: British Federal Welder and Machine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1974-04-15
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A method of and apparatus for welding metal strips in which the strip ends are cleaned, to ensure good welding conditions, prior to being sheared and welded, the three operations taking place in a clamp position.
Inventors
- 👤 John Colin Clews
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:44
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K11/00; B23K11/08; B23K11/087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of welding metal strips in a strip line flash welder, said strips passing through the welder in succession along a horizontal flow path with their broad surfaces disposed horizontally, the method including locating the ends of the metal strips in a clamp position, closing main and auxiliary clamps on each strip to retain the strip ends in the clamp position, cleaning areas of the broad surfaces of the strips adjacent their ends and thereafter shearing the strips between their respective ends and at least a large part of their cleaned areas without moving the strips, releasing the main clamps and adjusting the strips by moving the auxiliary clamps so that the new strip ends project beyond the main clamps by a predetermined amount, reclosing the main clamps on the cleaned areas of the strips to make electrical contact between strips and the mAin clamps and welding the strip ends together by abutting the strip ends while they remain clamped by at least the main clamps and passing electrical current between the strip ends, said current also flowing between the strips and the main clamps through the cleaned areas of the strips.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of welding metal strips in a strip line flash welder, said strips passing through the welder in succession along a horizontal flow path with their broad surfaces disposed horizontally, the method including locating the ends of the metal strips in a clamp position, closing main and auxiliary clamps on each strip to retain the strip ends in the clamp position, cleaning areas of the broad surfaces of the strips adjacent their ends and thereafter shearing the strips between their respective ends and at least a large part of their cleaned areas without moving the strips, releasing the main clamps and adjusting the strips by moving the auxiliary clamps so that the new strip ends project beyond the main clamps by a predetermined amount, reclosing the main clamps on the cleaned areas of the strips to make electrical contact between strips and the mAin clamps and welding the strip ends together by abutting the strip ends while they remain clamped by at least the main clamps and passing electrical current between the strip ends, said current also flowing between the strips and the main clamps through the cleaned areas of the strips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the broad surfaces of the strips near their ends are cleaned by passing cleaning means horizontally through the clamp position between the main clamps traversely of the strips.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, in which the upper surfaces of the strip ends are cleaned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the lower surfaces of the strip ends are cleaned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
A strip line flash welder comprising clamps operable to clamp the ends of metal strips in a clamp position, first and second pairs of clamps being provided for each strip end, said first pair serving as welding current electrodes, cleaning means operable while the strips are in the clamp position, to clean areas of the strips adjacent their ends, and shearing means operable while the strips are in the clamp position to shear the strip ends, said first and second pairs of clamps being independently operable and adjustable whereby the position of the strip end may be adjusted in the clamp position for engagement of said first pairs of clamps with said cleaned areas and means for moving the clamped strips together for flash butt welding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
A strip line flash welder comprising clamps operable to clamp the ends of metal strips in a clamp position, first and second pairs of clamps being provided for each strip end, said first pair serving as welding current electrodes, cleaning means operable while the strips are in the clamp position, to clean areas of the strips adjacent their ends, and shearing means operable while the strips are in the clamp position to shear the strip ends, said first and second pairs of clamps being independently operable and adjustable whereby the position of the strip end may be adjusted in the clamp position for engagement of said first pairs of clamps with said cleaned areas and means for moving the clamped strips together for flash butt welding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A strip line flash welder as claimed in claim 5, in which the cleaning means is mounted on a beam structure which is mounted to pass horizontally through the clamp position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A strip line flash welder as claimed in claim 6, in which the cleaning means is operable to clean the upper surfaces of clamped strip ends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A strip line flash welder as claimed in claim 7, in which the cleaning means is operable to clean the lower surfaces of the clamped strip ends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A strip line flash welder as claimed in claim 8, in which said cleaning means includes at least one pair of rotatable sanding wheels and drive means for rotating the sanding wheels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A strip line flash welder as claimed in claim 9, in which said cleaning means includes at least one pair of nozzles for shot or sand blasting the strip ends to be cleaned.
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) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |