Welding electrode arrangement

Details Welding electrode arrangement Welding electrode arrangement

1988-07-01

1990-03-20

Pellinen, A. D.

Electric heating

Metal heating

For bonding with pressure

219 869, B23K 3502, B23K 1130

Patent

active

049103768

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to welding, and in particular to a welding electrode arrangement for use in producing closed-figure, for example annular, welds.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is sometimes required to weld one member in a hole in another member, a weld being produced about the periphery of the hole thereby to seal the hole with the one member therein.
Such a requirement exists in the manufacture of sodium sulphur cells as described in GB-A-2161017. In such cells a central current collector in the form of a metal rod extends through a hole in a metal washer mounted on a `lid` of the cell, and it is necessary to weld the current collector in the hole in the washer to seal the hole.
Welding is effected by passing an electric current between the rod and the washer, and this is achieved by contacting the rod and the washer with mutually isolated electrodes connected to a source of welding current.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to this invention there is provided a welding electrode arrangement comprising an inner electrode and a plurality of electrically interconnected outer electrodes defining a closed figure about the inner electrode, the outer electrodes being resilient axially of the closed figure.
The electrode arrangement of this invention has the advantage that in use it provides a substantially equal distribution of the welding current passing between the inner and outer electrodes, about the closed figure, and thus produces a substantially uniform weld about the closed figure.
The plurality of outer electrodes can be provided in the form of a plurality of separately formed members carried by a common body, in which case the inner electrode can extend through a hole in the common body to extend between the outer electrodes.
Otherwise the outer electrodes can be provided in the form of a plurality of inwardly directed finger extending from and integral with an outer connecting rim.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the diagrammatic drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevational view of an electrode arrangement according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the arrangement of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of part of a further electrode arrangement according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the line IV--IV in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating use of an arrangement including a part as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in manufacture of a sodium/sulphur cell.


DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrode arrangement here shown comprises a cylindrical copper body 1 formed with an axial through hole 2. Extending through the hole 2 is an inner metal electrode 3 which is supported in electrically insulating manner on the body 1 by a plastics material, for example PTFE, insulator 4 received in a recess 5 in the body 1. The insulator 4 has a portion 6 which extends along the hole 2 between the wall thereof and the electrode 3, and a larger portion 7 which is received in the recess 5. Mounted on the free (lower as seen in FIG. 1) end of the body 1, arranged in a circle about the hole 2, are twelve, spring loaded outer brass electrodes 8, the spring loading of the electrodes 8 making them axially resilient. The free ends of the electrodes 8 define an annular closed figure, the inner electrode 3 extending along the axis of this figure. As shown in FIG. 1 the outer electrodes 8 extend beyond the free end of the inner electrode 3.
The electrode arrangement thus far described is mounted on the reminder of a welding gun (not shown) by means of a collett 100 which engages a forwardly facing shoulder 9 on the body 1 and has an internally threaded shroud portion 101 for engagement with the remainder of the gun. When the electrode arrangement is mounted on the gun the electrodes 3 and 8 will be connected in conventional manner to the terminals of the welding current source.
Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 t

REFERENCES:
patent: 3089947 (1963-05-01), Frungel

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Welding electrode arrangement does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Welding electrode arrangement, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Welding electrode arrangement will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-794264