Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100313842 | CORROSION RESISTANT INSERT FOR A CYLINDER HEAD - An engine includes a cylinder head at least partially defining a valve seat pocket. A valve seat is located proximate to the cylinder head to at lest partially define the valve seat pocket. A pocket filler is located between the valve seat and the pocket insert such that the pocket filler occupies a substantial portion of the valve seat pocket. A pocket insert is attached to the cylinder head proximate to the valve seat pocket, such that the pocket insert lines at least a portion of the valve seat pocket. | 12-16-2010 |
20110052969 | CELL TAB JOINING FOR BATTERY MODULES - A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical battery cells positioned adjacent one another and each having a positive cell tab and a negative cell tab. The positive cell tab of a first of the electrochemical battery cells is overlappingly joined to the negative cell tab of a second of the plurality of electrochemical battery cells. Each of the positive cell tabs and the negative cell tabs is not joined to a conductive interconnecting member. At least one of the positive cell tabs or the negative cell tabs defines a flexure configured for reducing stress applied to the electrochemical battery cells during overlappingly joining the positive cell tabs and the negative cell tabs. | 03-03-2011 |
20110314660 | SPIN WELD METHOD OF MANUFACTURING INDUCTION ROTORS - A method of manufacturing an electric motor includes stacking a plurality of laminate layers to form a rotor stack. A plurality of conductor bars are inserted into a respective one of a plurality of rotor slots defined by the rotor stack, such that each of the plurality of conductor bars protrudes from the axial ends of the rotor stack. End pieces for the electric motor are rotated relative to the plurality of conductor bars to weld the end pieces to the conductor bars. | 12-29-2011 |
20120000964 | BATTERY TAB JOINTS AND METHODS OF MAKING - A method of soldering battery cell tabs to a conductor is provided. The battery cell tab and the conductor are made of a material independently selected from aluminum, copper, or nickel-plated copper. The method include preparing an assembly of the battery cell tabs and the conductor with a first joining surface of one battery cell tab face-to-face with a first joining surface of the conductor, at least one joining surface having a layer of solder thereon; pressing the assembly so that the facing joining surfaces engage the solder, and heating the solder to a temperature above a melting temperature of the solder in the absence of a fluxing agent while limiting the displacement of the joining surfaces to a predetermined value; and holding the joining surfaces against each other and solidifying the solder to form a soldered joint between the battery cell tabs and the conductor. | 01-05-2012 |
20120086264 | BIMETALLIC CASTING - A method of forming a casting includes providing a preform to a mold cavity. The preform is formed from one of a first metal and a second metal and defines an interface surface. A molten portion of the other of the first metal and the second metal is cast into the mold such that the molten portion proximately contacts the interface surface of the preform. An interface layer at the interface surface, a first portion defined by the mold cavity and the interface layer, and a second portion defined by the interface layer, are formed during casting. The interface layer may define a metallurgical bond between the first portion and the second portion. In the non-limiting example provided herein, the first portion is substantially comprised of aluminum and the second portion is substantially comprised of magnesium. In a non-limiting example, the casting may be configured as a vehicle wheel. | 04-12-2012 |
20120088116 | BIMETALLIC FORGING AND METHOD - A method of forming a bimetallic forging includes providing a blank comprising at least a first element and a second element of a first metal, and an insert of a second metal. A blank is configured such that the insert may be substantially encapsulated by a shell defined by the first element and the second element. The blank is forged to form a bimetallic forging including an outer portion defined by the shell, an inner portion defined by the insert, and an interface layer therebetween. In a non-limiting example, the first metal is substantially comprised of aluminum and the second metal is substantially comprised of magnesium. In a non-limiting example, the blank may be forged to form a vehicle wheel including an aluminum skin substantially encapsulating a magnesium inner portion, providing wheel with a high strength to weight ratio and improved corrosion performance. | 04-12-2012 |
20120193331 | CRACK AVOIDANCE IN RESISTANCE SPOT WELDED MATERIALS - Methods of crack avoidance during resistance spot welding are provided. The compressive stress from the spot welding is distributed across an electrode assembly having an enlarged footprint. The electrode assembly includes a conductive core and a non-conductive cover. The delivery of current through the electrode assembly is localized to the conductive core. | 08-02-2012 |
20120204412 | METHOD OF JOINING BY ROLLER HEMMING AND SOLID STATE WELDING AND SYSTEM FOR SAME - A method of joining a first and a second work piece, such as automotive closure panels, includes supporting the work pieces on a fixture, and then joining the work pieces to one another by a first solid state weld with a vibrating roller head of a tool assembly, such as a robotically-controlled ultrasonic seam welder. Next, a flange of the second work piece is hemmed about an outer periphery of the first work piece using the same or a different roller head with the work pieces supported by the fixture. The hemmed flange is then joined to the first work piece by a second solid state weld with the vibrating roller head of the robotically-controlled ultrasonic seam welder. A system for joining a first and a second work piece is also provided. | 08-16-2012 |
20120228272 | WELDING APPARATUS FOR INDUCTION MOTOR AND METHOD OF WELDING INDUCTION MOTOR - A welding apparatus for an induction motor includes a fixture operable to support a rotor and rotate the rotor about an axis of rotation of the motor, and a welding head supported adjacent the fixture and operable to weld conductor bars located about the surface of the rotor to the first shorting ring when the fixture supports the rotor. A controller controls the fixture to selectively rotate the rotor. The controller moves the welding head, the fixture, or both, so that the welding head is in a welding position, and causes the welding head to weld the conductor bars to the first shorting ring while remaining in the welding position, with the rotor rotating to create a substantially circular weld path along the first shorting ring. In some embodiments, the conductor bars are welded to both shorting rings simultaneously. A method of welding an induction motor is also provided. | 09-13-2012 |
20120258328 | FABRICATED-IN-PLACE INSERTS TO RECEIVE SELF-PIERCING RIVETS - One or more ductile metal inserts may be selectively incorporated into articles of limited ductility, including castings and molded polymers. The inserts are positioned at joint locations for joining of the article to other articles using self-piercing riveting (SPR). The inserts are of suitable ductility, thickness and strength to receive and retain self-piercing rivets and enable a strong riveted joint between the article and a second article. In an embodiment the articles are magnesium alloy castings formed by any of sand casting, die casting and semi-solid metal casting. The chemical composition of the insert may be informed by the anticipated corrosive environment of the joint and the casting temperature of the magnesium alloy. For magnesium alloy castings which may be exposed to corrosive environments, aluminum alloy inserts are preferred. | 10-11-2012 |
20120301603 | CONSUMABLE TOOL FRICTION STIR PROCESSING OF METAL SURFACES - The surface composition of a metal article may be modified by depositing a coating layer material of a different composition from a consumable tool which is urged against the article surface while being rotated about an axis generally normal to the surface. The frictional heating resulting from rotation of the tool under applied pressure increases the temperature of the article-contacting portion of the tool so that it adheres to and bonds to the magnesium alloy article. In an embodiment the tool material is selected to be more corrosion-resisting than or sacrificial to the substrate metal alloy. In another embodiment the tool material is selected to react with the magnesium surface to form a more corrosion-resistant coating or a sacrificial layer. In another embodiment a holemaking cutting tool may be incorporated in to the consumable tool to enable fabrication of a hole with a surrounding, more corrosion-resistant annular surface. Further processing of the article with its coating layer may include: buffing, burnishing, or polishing the layer; and heat treatment to promote diffusion of the layer composition into the article composition. | 11-29-2012 |
20120317786 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR JOINING MULTIPLE COMPONENTS - A method of joining multiple components includes stacking the components vertically. Each component includes two opposite substantially planar surfaces that are arranged in a column when the components are stacked. The method also includes placing the stacked components in a clinch-crimping apparatus having a first punch, a second punch, and a crimping element. The method also includes displacing a section of the substantially planar surfaces of the stacked components by driving the first punch in a first direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surfaces. The method additionally includes retracting the first punch from the displaced section and crimping the displaced section by the crimping element to form a crush initiator. The method additionally includes disengaging the crimping element from the crimped, displaced section. Furthermore, the method includes clinching the crimped, displaced section by driving the second punch in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. | 12-20-2012 |
20130062319 | HEAT PIPE WATERLESS RESISTANCE WELDING ELECTRODE - An apparatus for resistance welding with a welder includes a heat pipe including a hollow tube and a weld electrode fitted around a portion of the heat pipe. The weld electrode and heat pipe are conductively coupled to conduct heat across an inner surface of the weld electrode. | 03-14-2013 |
20130078480 | CORROSION RESISTANT MAGNESIUM ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING - The corrosion resistance of formed and shaped sheet magnesium alloy articles may be improved by applying to the article a substantially crack-and pore-free ductile metal layer on at least selected surfaces and cut or sheared edges. An exemplary ductile metal may be aluminum or its alloys. Two methods of applying such a ductile metal layer are described. One method is suitable for extended areas of the magnesium alloy sheet surface, and is applied prior to stamping the article, while a second method, suitable for cut or sheared edges, is intended for application after the article is fully formed. The incorporation of both methods into conventional sheet metal stamping processes to form the corrosion resistant formed magnesium article is described. | 03-28-2013 |
20130105046 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A WELDED ASSEMBLY | 05-02-2013 |
20130106123 | STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY WELDED ASSEMBLY | 05-02-2013 |
20130157104 | REVERSIBLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND METHOD - A method of reversibly connecting two substrates includes positioning an electrically conductive adhesive connector including a shape memory polymer (SMP) between the substrates, heating the connector to a temperature higher than the SMP transition temperature, applying a load and cooling the connector below the transition temperature to transform the connector to a conforming shape to form an adhesive bond attaching the substrates and providing an electrical connection therebetween. The method may include disconnecting the connector from the substrates by heating the connector above the SMP transition temperature, which may disrupt the electrical connection between the substrates. The connector may be a battery tab connector configured to connect a battery cell to another battery cell or a terminal. The connector may be releasable from the battery tab such that the battery tab is reusable after removal of the connector. The connector may be multi-layer and generally arcuate in a permanent shape. | 06-20-2013 |
20140150985 | BIMETALLIC CASTING - A method of forming a casting includes providing a preform to a mold cavity. The preform is formed from one of a first metal and a second metal and defines an interface surface. A molten portion of the other of the first metal and the second metal is cast into the mold such that the molten portion proximately contacts the interface surface of the preform. An interface layer at the interface surface, a first portion defined by the mold cavity and the interface layer, and a second portion defined by the interface layer, are formed during casting. The interface layer may define a metallurgical bond between the first portion and the second portion. In the non-limiting example provided herein, the first portion is substantially comprised of aluminum and the second portion is substantially comprised of magnesium. In a non-limiting example, the casting may be configured as a vehicle wheel. | 06-05-2014 |
20140178152 | FABRICATED-IN-PLACE INSERTS TO RECEIVE SELF-PIERCING RIVETS - One or more ductile metal inserts may be selectively incorporated into articles of limited ductility, including metal castings and molded polymers. The inserts are positioned at joint locations for joining of the article to other articles using self-piercing riveting (SPR). The inserts are of suitable ductility, thickness and strength to receive and retain self-piercing rivets and enable a strong riveted joint between the article and a second article. In an embodiment the articles are magnesium alloy castings formed by any of sand casting, die casting and semi-solid metal casting. The chemical composition of the insert may be informed by the anticipated corrosive environment of the joint and the casting temperature of the magnesium alloy. For magnesium alloy castings which may be exposed to corrosive environments, aluminum alloy inserts are preferred. | 06-26-2014 |
20140360986 | RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING OF STEEL TO PRE-COATED ALUMINUM - Resistance spot welding of a steel workpiece to an aluminum or an aluminum alloy workpiece can be facilitated by replacing the refractory aluminum oxide-based layer(s) on at least the faying surface of the aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece with a protective coating that is more conducive to the spot welding process. The protective coating may be a metallic coating or a metal oxide conversion coating. In a preferred embodiment, the protective coating is a coating of zinc, tin, or an oxide of titanium, zirconium, chromium, or silicon. | 12-11-2014 |
20150053654 | RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING STEEL AND ALUMINUM WORKPIECES USING ELECTRODE WELD FACE COVER - A method of resistance spot welding a steel workpiece and an aluminum or aluminum alloy (“aluminum”) workpiece together includes several steps. One step involves providing a workpiece stack-up with a steel workpiece and an aluminum workpiece. Another step involves attaching a cover over a weld face of a welding electrode. The cover is made of a metal material with an electrical resistivity that is greater than an electrical resistivity of a material of the welding electrode. Yet another step involves performing multiple individual resistance spot welds to the workpiece stack-up. The cover abuts the aluminum workpiece while the individual resistance spot welds are performed. And another step involves removing the cover from the welding electrode after the individual spot welds are performed. | 02-26-2015 |
20150053655 | MULTI-STEP DIRECT WELDING OF AN ALUMINUM-BASED WORKPIECE TO A STEEL WORKPIECE - A workpiece stack-up that includes at least a steel workpiece and an aluminum-based workpiece can be resistance spot welded by employing a multi-stage spot welding method in which the passage of electrical current is controlled to perform multiple stages of weld joint development. The multiple stages include: (1) a molten weld pool growth stage in which a molten weld pool is initiated and grown within the aluminum-based workpiece; (2) a molten weld pool solidification stage in which the molten weld pool is allowed to cool and solidify into a weld nugget that forms all or part of a weld joint; (3) a weld nugget re-melting stage in which at least a portion of the weld nugget is re-melted; and (4) a re-melted weld nugget solidification stage in which the re-melted portion of the weld nugget is allowed to cool and solidify. | 02-26-2015 |
20150096961 | RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING STEEL AND ALUMINUM WORKPIECES USING INSERTABLE COVER - A method of resistance spot welding a steel workpiece and an aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece together includes several steps. One step involves inserting a cover between the aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece and an adjacent welding electrode. In another step, the adjacent welding electrode is pressed against cover, and another opposed welding electrode is pressed against the steel workpiece at a weld site. In yet another step, electrical current is passed between the welding electrodes, passed through the cover, and passed through the workpieces in order to initiate and grow a molten weld pool within the aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece. | 04-09-2015 |
20150096962 | Aluminum Alloy to Steel Welding Process - A resistance spot welding method may involve spot welding a workpiece stack-up that includes a steel workpiece and an aluminum alloy workpiece that overlap one another to provide a faying interface. A pair of opposed welding electrodes are pressed against opposite sides of the workpiece stack-up with one welding electrode contacting the aluminum alloy workpiece and the other welding electrode contacting the steel workpiece. The welding electrodes are constructed so that, when an electrical current is passed between the electrodes and through the workpiece stack-up, the electrical current has a greater current density in the steel workpiece than in the aluminum alloy workpiece to thereby concentrate heat within a smaller zone in the steel workpiece. Concentrating heat within a smaller zone in the steel workpiece is believed to modify the solidification behavior of the resultant molten aluminum alloy weld pool in a desirable way. | 04-09-2015 |
20150202718 | SUPPRESSING LASER-INDUCED PLUME FOR LASER EDGE WELDING OF ZINC COATED STEELS - A system and method for stabilizing the molten pool in a laser welding operation by suppressing a laser-induced plume which occurs when zinc coated steels are laser welded. The plume is a result of vaporization of zinc, and the zinc vapor in the plume disturbs the molten pool and causes blowholes, spattering and porosity. The stabilization is achieved by applying a gas such as air through a nozzle to the weld area, where the gas has sufficient velocity and flow rate to blow the zinc vapor away from the molten pool. Dramatically improved weld quality results have been demonstrated. Configuration parameters which yield optimum results—including gas flow rate and velocity, and nozzle position and orientation relative to the laser impingement location on the steel—are disclosed. | 07-23-2015 |
20150231729 | ELECTRODE FOR RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING OF DISSIMILAR METALS - A method of spot welding a workpiece stack-up that includes a steel workpiece and an aluminum alloy workpiece involves passing an electrical current through the workpieces and between welding electrodes that are constructed to affect the current density of the electrical current. The welding electrodes, more specifically, are constructed to render the density of the electrical current greater in the steel workpiece than in the aluminum alloy workpiece. This difference in current densities can be accomplished by passing, at least initially, the electrical current between a weld face of the welding electrode in contact with the steel workpiece and a perimeter region of a weld face of the welding electrode in contact with the aluminum alloy workpiece. | 08-20-2015 |
20150352659 | COVER PLATE WITH INTRUDING FEATURE TO IMPROVE AL-STEEL SPOT WELDING - A method of spot welding a workpiece stack-up that includes a steel workpiece and an adjacent aluminum alloy workpiece involves passing an electrical current through the workpieces and between opposed welding electrodes. The formation of a weld joint between the adjacent steel and aluminum alloy workpieces is aided by a cover plate that is located between the aluminum alloy workpiece that lies adjacent to the steel workpiece and the welding electrode disposed on the same side of the workpiece stack-up. The cover plate, which includes an intruding feature, affects the flow pattern and density of the electrical current that passes through the adjacent steel and aluminum alloy workpieces in a way that helps improve the strength of the weld joint. | 12-10-2015 |
20160038993 | METHOD FOR JOINING WORKPIECES - A method can be used for joining workpieces using a fastener. The fastener includes a first head and a shank extending from the first head along a fastener axis. The joining method includes the following steps: (a) rotating a fastener about a fastener axis; (b) moving the fastener toward the first and second workpieces while the fastener rotates about the fastener axis such that the fastener increases the temperature in the first and second workpieces in order to soften and pierce the first and second workpieces along the fastener axis; and (c) advancing the fastener through the first and second workpieces and toward an open cavity of a die after piercing the first and second workpieces while the fastener rotates about the fastener axis such that the shank is partially disposed inside the open cavity in order to form a second head. | 02-11-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080210274 | Multiple Wash Zone Dishwasher - The present invention relates to a dishwasher, and more particularly to a dishwasher having multiple wash zones. The dishwasher has an interior tub configured to provide an interior wash chamber for washing dishes. It also has a spray arm assembly configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid over a portion of the interior tub thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold fixed adjacent a lower dish rack provided within the wash chamber is configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the lower dish rack, thereby providing a second wash zone. | 09-04-2008 |
20100154846 | MULTIPLE WASH ZONE DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having multiple wash zones has an interior tub configured to provide an interior wash chamber for washing dishes and a dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has a spray arm assembly configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold provided within the wash chamber is configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a second wash zone. | 06-24-2010 |
20110197937 | MULTIPLE WASH ZONE DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber for washing dishes and a dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has a spray arm assembly configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold provided within the wash chamber is configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a second wash zone. | 08-18-2011 |
20110197938 | MULTIPLE WASH ZONE DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber for washing dishes and a dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has a spray arm assembly configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold provided within the wash chamber is configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a second wash zone. | 08-18-2011 |
20120125381 | DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least one spray arm located in the wash chamber and at least one nozzle located in the wash chamber and configured to provide a spray of liquid into the dish rack. A diverter valve controls the supply of liquid from a liquid supply to the at least one nozzle. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125382 | DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least one spray arm assembly located in the wash chamber, and at least one nozzle located in the wash chamber beneath the dish rack. A diverter valve controls the supply of liquid from a liquid supply to the at least one nozzle. | 05-24-2012 |
20130092194 | DISHWASHER HAVING SPRAY MANIFOLD AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME - A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially forming a treating chamber, a dish rack provided within the wash chamber, and a spray manifold. The spray manifold can have multiple apertures and/or sprayers for emitting wash liquid to define a spray zone. | 04-18-2013 |
20130199583 | DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least one spray arm located in the wash chamber and at least one nozzle located in the wash chamber and configured to provide a spray of liquid into the dish rack. A diverter valve controls the supply of liquid from a liquid supply to the at least one nozzle. | 08-08-2013 |
20130206180 | DISHWASHER - A method of controlling a dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least one spray arm located in the wash chamber and at least one nozzle located in the wash chamber and configured to provide a spray of liquid toward the dish rack. | 08-15-2013 |
20130206189 | DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least one spray arm located in the wash chamber and at least one nozzle located in the wash chamber and configured to provide a spray of liquid into the dish rack. A diverter valve controls the supply of liquid from a liquid supply to the at least one nozzle. | 08-15-2013 |
20130291904 | DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least two spray zones and a diverter valve that controls the supply of liquid from a liquid supply to one of the two spray zones. | 11-07-2013 |
20130298949 | DISHWASHER - A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least one sprayer located in the wash chamber and at least one nozzle located in the wash chamber and configured to provide a spray of liquid into the dish rack. A diverter valve controls the supply of liquid from a liquid supply to the at least one nozzle. | 11-14-2013 |
20140090675 | DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber, and upper and lower dish racks located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has upper and lower rotating sprayers beneath the upper and lower dish racks, and a manifold with at least one nozzle having at least one aperture located in the wash chamber. | 04-03-2014 |
20150136187 | DISHWASHER - A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber, a dish rack located within the wash chamber, and pump assembly for recirculating wash liquid is further provided with a spray assembly and a spray manifold with multiple nozzles each having at least one aperture emitting wash liquid into the wash chamber. | 05-21-2015 |
20150327747 | DISHWASHER HAVING SPRAY MANIFOLD - A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially forming a treating chamber, a dish rack provided within the wash chamber, and a spray manifold. The spray manifold can have multiple apertures and/or sprayers for emitting wash liquid to define a spray zone. | 11-19-2015 |