Monitoring weld quality via forging assembly dynamics

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein said measuring takes place by means of an acceleration sensitive transducer and said electrode is vertically disposed so that said transducer attached to said electrode moves vertically to and from the welded seam in response to motion imparted to the electrode during said pulse welding operation.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 2 wherein said transducer is an accelerometer operatively responsive to the rate of change of motion of said electrodes during welding in response to said pulsing.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3 wherein said output signal with respect to time is analyzed by an electronic circuit for comparing signal differences from pulse to pulse.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said power supply means includes a pulsing electrical current supply connected across said electrode means and said resiliently biased electrode means is positioned to provide the mechanical force normal to said juncture such that said acceleration sensitive transducer means responds to the influence of each pulse of energy and the motion of said carried juncture between said electrode means.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 including a transportation means being a mechanism designed to longitudinally move a hollow cylindrical tube formed from a thin sheet of metallic material rolled to have a juncture along a longitudinal side seam between said electrode means including a pair of electrode rolls which include a highly conductive electrode wire disposed to move in the spaces between said rolls and said juncture at adjustable rate of relative speed.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said acceleration sensitive transducer means is an accelerometer carried on an insulator attached to the axle support for one of said rolls and said accelerometer is connected to electronic means for recording the output waveform resulting from motion of said axle in directions other than parallel to said juncture.

Claim 11

A weld quality measuring device for a welder of the pulse resistance type for use in connection with welding the longitudinal side seam of a thin metallic hollow tubular open ended can body comprising: a power supply means for providing high frequency electrical power, a pair of juxtaposed electrode means connected to said power supply and including a pair of juxtaposed counter-rotating rollers carrying across the nip therebetween a highly conductive electrode current carrying wire and the juncture of said side seam to be welded, a means for moving said highly conductive wire and said side seam in relation to said electrode rolls to produce a uniform rate of pulse resistance welding power application along the length of said side seam, and an accelerometer mounted to move with one of said electrode rolls in any direction other than parallel to the direction of said longitudinal side seam to provide a signal relative to the motion of said electrode resulting from the discontinuities in the material in said seam to be welded and the instantaneous variations in acceleration of said one electrode due to the mechanical force applied to said side seam by said electrodes, the pulsing of power and the metal in the seam.

Claim 12

A weld quality measuring device for a welder of the pulse resistance type for use in connection with welding the longitudinal side seam of a thin metallic hollow tubular open ended can body comprising: a power supply means for providing high frequency electrical power, a pair of juxtaposed electrode means connected to said power supply and including a pair of juxtaposed counter-rotating rollers carrying across the nip therebetween a highly conductive electrode current carrying wire and the juncture of said side seam to be welded, a means for moving said highly conductive wire and said side seam in relation to said electrode rolls to produce a uniform rate of pulse resistance welding power application along the length of said side seam, and an accelerometer mounted to move with one of said electrode rolls in any direction other than parallel to the direction of said longitudinal side seam to provide a signal relative to the motion of said electrode resulting from the discontinuities in the material in said seam to be welded and the instantaneous variations in acceleration of said one electrode due to the mechanical force applied to said side seam by said electrodes, the pulsing of power and the metal in the seam.