Method of an apparatus for welding together metal components
First Claim
1. A method of welding together arcuate metal components of high restraint geometry having arcuate surfaces to be joined, comprising:
- supporting the components with said arcuate surfaces in juxtaposed relationship;
applying a first force to the components to urge said surfaces firmly into abutting relationship;
directing a high energy density beam at the junction formed between the abutting surfaces to effect welding at a localized region of mutual abutment thereof; and
applying an additional force to the components adjacent to the area of impingement of the beam on the component at said localized region sufficient to urge them together at said localized region, in order to compensate for stresses set up therein during welding.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In having a method of welding together metal components (A,B) a high restraint geometry (as defined in the Specification) the components are urged into abutment and a high energy density weld is effected at a location in said abutment by means such as a focussed laser beam (L). In order to compensate for the high restraint geometry of the components which prevents them from deformation such as to accommodate welding stresses, an additional force (J) is applied, for example by a roller (K), to urge the components together adjacent to the position at which the weld is effected. The method is advantageously employed to form a continuous elongate weld between a plateform and web of a brake shoe.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of welding together arcuate metal components of high restraint geometry having arcuate surfaces to be joined, comprising:
- supporting the components with said arcuate surfaces in juxtaposed relationship;
applying a first force to the components to urge said surfaces firmly into abutting relationship;
directing a high energy density beam at the junction formed between the abutting surfaces to effect welding at a localized region of mutual abutment thereof; and
applying an additional force to the components adjacent to the area of impingement of the beam on the component at said localized region sufficient to urge them together at said localized region, in order to compensate for stresses set up therein during welding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 28, 29, 30)
- supporting the components with said arcuate surfaces in juxtaposed relationship;
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14. Apparatus for welding together arcuate metal components of high restraint geometry having arcuate surfaces to be joined comprising:
- support means arranged to support the components with said arcuate surfaces in juxtaposed relationship;
means operatively, associated with said support means to apply a first force to said components to urge said surfaces firmly into abutting relationship, a welding device operatively associated with said support means to direct a high energy density beam at the junction between said surfaces to effect welding at a localized region of mutual abutment thereof, and means operatively associated with said support means to apply an additional force to the components adjacent to the area of impingement of the beam on the component at said localized region to urge them together at said region, in order to compensate for stresses set up therein during welding. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 31, 32, 33)
- support means arranged to support the components with said arcuate surfaces in juxtaposed relationship;
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27. Apparatus for welding together components of high restraint geometry in the form of a platform and web of a vehicle brake shoe, comprising a hollow drum arranged to support a pair of shoe platforms against opposed portions of the internal surface of said drum, clamping means including clamping members operable to apply a clamping force to webs abutting the respective platforms at right angles and thereby clamp the components against said surface, said clamping means including further clamping members operable to clamp the webs against a support surface at right angles to said drum surface, a welding device arranged and operable to direct a beam of welding energy at a location of abutment between the components to effect welding, a slot through the periphery of said drum, and fluid pressure operated force applying means including a roller which projects through said slot in the drum to engage the drum engaging surface of the platform at a location opposed to the abutment location of the web with the platform, the force applying means applying an additional force to the components at least adjacent to the location of impingement of the beam in order to compensate for stresses set up therein during welding.
Specification