Larry K Gove

US Patent:

49202472, Apr 24, 1990

Filed:

Nov 14, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/270559

Inventors:

Thomas A. Ward - Holts Summit MO
Larry K. Gove - Linn MO

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B23K 1102
B23K 924

US Classification:

219103

Abstract:

The endwise resistance welding of a weld coupling to a plate. The weld coupling is mounted in a collet which is mounted slideably in a cavity in a block of conducting material. In the standby condition of the apparatus the collet is urged outwardly of the cavity by a spring between the block and the collet. The end of the block at the entrance to the cavity and the outward end of the collet have frustro-conical or tapered surfaces tapered at the same angle to the common axis of the block and collet. The surfaces are face-to-face. This assembly including the weld coupling is mounted on the movable electrode of the welder. During welding this electrode is moved towards the cooperative electrode, on which the plate is mounted, compressing the weld coupling against the plate. Under the reactive forces from the coupling and plate, the collet is moved inwardly of the block causing the tapered surface of the collet to slide with a cam-like motion along the tapered surface of the block. The collet is clamped tightly to the weld coupling and the engagement of the tapered surfaces complete a low-resistance path for the welding current from the movable electrode, through the block, the collet laterally through the weld coupling, the plate, and the cooperative welding electrode.