Fusing apparatus with temperature control

• US 5,418,346 A
• Filed: 01/19/1993
• Issued: 05/23/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Axis Usa, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Axis Usa, Inc.
• Inventors: Rossi, Alessandro
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, Geoffrey S.
• Application Number:
  US08/005,644
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 219/109, 219/110, 219/56.1, 29/597, 374/180, 228/8, 228/9, 228/4.5
• US Class Current: 219/110
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/252 using digital means

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for monitoring the temperature of a workpiece during fusing operations are provided. The apparatus includes a temperature sensor which monitors the temperature of a commutator bar being fused and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to that temperature. The electric current supplied to the fusing electrode can be interrupted or modified if the temperature of the commutator bar exceeds a predetermined temperature. In this manner, fusing operations can be interrupted if the temperature of the commutator bar approaches a temperature at which other components of the workpiece, such as the core material will be adversely affected. The temperature sensor preferably contacts the workpiece to conduct heat to a sensing element.

Claims

1. Apparatus for fusing together a plurality of electrical conductors, without melting any of said conductors, said conductors collectively comprising a workpiece, said apparatus comprising:

a fusing assembly comprising a fusing member for performing heating and mechanical work on said workpiece, and a grounding member; and

means for sensing temperature which makes physical contact with said workpiece for converting thermally sensed temperature into a first electrical signal which corresponds to workpiece temperature, said means for sensing temperature being coupled to said fusing assembly so that said means for sensing temperature is automatically precisely positioned in contact with said workpiece, said means for sensing temperature being essentially instantaneously responsive to the temperature changes of fusing operations.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensing means is coupled to control means for regulating fusing operations in response to said first electrical signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control means is coupled to a cooling mechanism which is coupled to said fusing electrode for cooling said fusing electrode in response to additional electrical signals from said control means.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said control means is coupled to a cooling mechanism which is coupled to said workpiece for cooling said workpiece in response to additional electrical signals from said control means.

5. Apparatus for fusing together a plurality of electrical conductors, without melting any of said conductors, said conductors collectively comprising a workpiece, said apparatus comprising:

a fusing electrode for applying an electric current to said workpiece and for physically deforming said workpiece, said electric current causing said fusing electrode temperature to rise in order to heat said workpiece by thermal conductance;

a grounding electrode for receiving said applied electrical current from said workpiece;

means for sensing temperature which makes physical contact with said workpiece for converting thermally sensed temperature into a first electrical signal which corresponds to workpiece temperature, said means for sensing temperature being coupled to at least one of said electrodes, said means for sensing temperature being essentially instantaneously responsive to the temperature changes of fusing operations; and

alignment means for automatically precisely aligning said electrodes and said means for sensing temperature with said workpiece during fusing operations, said means for sensing temperature being positioned in essentially direct contact with the surface of said workpiece.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said temperature sensing means is coupled to control means for regulating fusing operations in response to said first electrical signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said control means is coupled to a cooling mechanism which is coupled to said fusing electrode for cooling said fusing electrode in response to additional signals from said control means.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said control means is coupled to a cooling mechanism which is coupled to said workpiece for cooling said workpiece in response to additional electrical signals from said control means.