US 11,865,791 B2
Induction welding with an electromagnetic field concentrator
Jonathan S. Huang, Pasadena, CA (US); Michael van Tooren, San Diego, CA (US); and Jeffrey D. Woods, Beaumont, CA (US)
Assigned to Rohr, Inc., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed by Rohr, Inc., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/566,219.
Prior Publication US 2023/0211568 A1, Jul. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 65/36 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 65/36 (2013.01) [B29C 66/45 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A manufacturing method, comprising:
providing an induction welder including a concentrator and a coil extending through a receptacle in the concentrator, the receptacle projecting into the concentrator from a face surface of the concentrator;
providing a first thermoplastic body arranged with a second thermoplastic body, the first thermoplastic body located next to the face surface; and
induction welding the first thermoplastic body to the second thermoplastic body to provide a weld seam between the first thermoplastic body and the second thermoplastic body, the concentrator extending along a portion of the weld seam, the induction welding comprising
generating an electromagnetic field with the coil; and
concentrating a portion of the electromagnetic field with the concentrator onto a region of the first thermoplastic body;
wherein a workpiece includes the first thermoplastic body and the second thermoplastic body;
wherein the workpiece along a first portion of the weld seam has a first thickness, and the first portion of the weld seam is overlapped by the concentrator; and
wherein the workpiece along a second portion of the weld seam has a second thickness that is different than the first thickness, and the second portion of the weld seam is misaligned from the concentrator.