Scan welding method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A welding method comprising:
- applying energy to a workpiece from a weld head; and
generating a weld pool simultaneously along at least a segment of a weld centerline by scanning the weld head repeatedly along a longitudinal length of the segment and maintaining the weld pool between passes of the weld head.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A single weld head, torch, is time-shared to implement any specified distributed heat input by scanning along a weld centerline and a region surrounding the centerline while adjusting the torch intensity accordingly on its path. The scan welding torch reciprocates rapidly on dynamically scheduled trajectories while power to the torch is modulated in real-time to provide a regulated heat input distribution in the weld region and on the weld centerline. The method generates a smooth and uniform temperature field, and deposits the full length of the weld bead simultaneously at a controlled solidification rate. As a result, grain interlacing on the bead interface in conjunction with a regulated material microstructure yield improved tensile joint strength.
81 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A welding method comprising:
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applying energy to a workpiece from a weld head; and generating a weld pool simultaneously along at least a segment of a weld centerline by scanning the weld head repeatedly along a longitudinal length of the segment and maintaining the weld pool between passes of the weld head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A welding method comprising:
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mapping an emissivity of a surface of a workpiece; determining an ideal temperature field distribution as a function of welding time that will yield desired weld characteristics; applying energy to a workpiece from a weld head; detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by a weld region; determining a detected temperature field distribution from the detected electromagnetic radiation; scanning the weld head to minimize the differences between the detected temperature field distribution and the ideal temperature field distribution with corrections made in response to the mapping to generate a weld pool simultaneously along a segment of the weld centerline.
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10. A welding method comprising:
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determining an ideal temperature field distribution which will yield a weld having desired characteristics along a weld centerline; determining an actual temperature field distribution in the weld region including a weld pool and zones surrounding the weld pool; comparing the ideal temperature field distribution and the actual temperature field distribution; and scanning the weld head to minimize differences between the actual temperature field distribution and the ideal temperature field distribution. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A welding method comprising:
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applying energy to a workpiece from a weld head; and generating a weld pool simultaneously along a weld centerline by scanning the weld head over a weld region surrounding the weld centerline and maintaining the weld pool between passes of the weld head. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A welding apparatus comprising:
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a weld head for heating a workpiece; a scanning device for translating the weld head relative to the workpiece; and a controller for controlling the scanning device to heat the workpiece in a weld region surrounding at least a segment of a weld centerline to form a weld pool simultaneously along an entire length of the segment of the weld centerline and maintain the weld pool between passes of the weld head. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A welding apparatus comprising:
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a scanning device for translating a weld head relative to a material to be welded; and a controller for controlling the scanning device to heat the material in a weld region surrounding a weld centerline to form a weld pool simultaneously along the weld centerline and maintain the weld pool between passes of the weld head. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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Specification