×

Resistance welding machine pinch point safety sensor

  • US 9,555,498 B2
  • Filed: 12/21/2006
  • Issued: 01/31/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A resistance welding machine comprising:

  • a frame,a first and a second electrode on the frame moveable with respect to one another for welding low resistance material;

    an actuator for supporting the first electrode and moving the first electrode toward and away from the second electrode between an open position and a closed position, the actuator including a cylinder with a piston therein connected to the first electrode, and a welding controller for selectively supplying high pressure or low pressure to the electrodes;

    a welding transformer with a primary and a secondary;

    an SCR contactor;

    an RC element mounted across and connected in parallel to the SCR contactor, the RC element configured to constantly develop a low voltage leakage signal coupled to the welding transformer; and

    a continuity sensor having inputs coupled to the welding transformer and configured to receive the low voltage leakage signal, the continuity sensor further configured to limit and control the electrode closing force independently from the electrode welding force until and unless only low resistance material to be welded is detected between the first and second electrodes.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×