Automatic feed apparatus, for fusion welding machine, and electrode holder therefor
First Claim
1. An automatic feed apparatus, for a fusion welding machine, the automatic feed apparatus comprising:
- an electrode holder, adapted for mounting on a driver cylinder of a fusion welding machine for holding a pin for fusion welding to a base piece, the electrode holder including a clamping means for clamping a pin;
a holder control unit, which is mounted for opening the clamping means of the electrode holder;
a feeding device for feeding pins to the electrode holder; and
a feed control unit, which is connected to the feeding device and to the holder control unit, operation of the holder control unit and feed control unit being synchronized, so that the feed control unit only actuates the feeding device to feed a pin to the electrode holder when the holder control unit has opened the electrode holder, and after a predetermined time, the feed control unit terminates actuation of the feeding device and the holder control unit releases the clamping means, thereby clamping a pin.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic feed apparatus is provided for a fusion welding machine, in which metal components are welded together. The apparatus has an electrode holder for holding a pin and having a clamping lever for clamping the pin to an electrode. A feeding device feeds pins to the electrode holder. A feed control unit controls the feeding device so that pins are sent individually to the electrode holder. The electrode holder in turn is controlled by a holder control unit. The holder control unit causes the clamping lever to open to receive a pin, and optionally can also control the position at which the pin is clamped. The feed control unit and holder control unit are synchronized together. Thus, the feeding device is only actuated to send a pin to the electrode holder, when the holder control unit has opened the clamping lever. After a predetermined time, sufficient for a pin to travel to the electrode holder, actuation of the feeding device is terminated and the electrode holder is released by the holder control unit. The clamping lever then holds a pin in the electrode holder, ready for a welding operation.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automatic feed apparatus, for a fusion welding machine, the automatic feed apparatus comprising:
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an electrode holder, adapted for mounting on a driver cylinder of a fusion welding machine for holding a pin for fusion welding to a base piece, the electrode holder including a clamping means for clamping a pin; a holder control unit, which is mounted for opening the clamping means of the electrode holder; a feeding device for feeding pins to the electrode holder; and a feed control unit, which is connected to the feeding device and to the holder control unit, operation of the holder control unit and feed control unit being synchronized, so that the feed control unit only actuates the feeding device to feed a pin to the electrode holder when the holder control unit has opened the electrode holder, and after a predetermined time, the feed control unit terminates actuation of the feeding device and the holder control unit releases the clamping means, thereby clamping a pin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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- 19. An electrode holder comprising a body, an upper end of which is adapted for mounting to the piston of a drive cylinder of a fusion welding machine, a first electrode located at a lower end of the body, a second electrode mounted adjacent the first electrode and including a resilient part, a clamping lever pivotally mounted to the body and having one end located adjacent the second electrode on a side remote from the first electrode and another end, and an actuating cylinder mounted to the body and having a piston acting on the other end of the clamping lever, for rotating the clamping lever so that its one end displaces the resilient part of the second electrode towards the first electrode to clamp a finding between the first and second electrodes.
Specification