US 11,666,981 B2
Welding method and apparatus therefor
Nigel Scotchmer, Willowdale (CA); Dominic Cheuk Hung Leung, Thornhill (CA); Dong Shijie, Wuhan (CN); Luo Ping, Wuhan (CN); Chang Ying, Wuhan (CN); Wang Huihu, Wuhan (CN); Xie Zhixiong, Wuhan (CN); Zheng Zhong, Wuhan (CN); Yang Wei, Wuhan (CN); Yang Lianzhuo, Wuhan (CN); Liu Qi, Wuhan (CN); and Wang Yanqing, Wuhan (CN)
Assigned to Huys Industries Limited
Filed by Huys Industries Limited, Weston (CA)
Filed on Jul. 30, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/526,404.
Application 16/526,404 is a continuation of application No. 14/569,307, filed on Dec. 12, 2014, granted, now 10,391,574.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/010,334, filed on Jun. 10, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2019/0366465 A1, Dec. 5, 2019
Int. Cl. B23K 9/04 (2006.01); B23K 9/30 (2006.01); B23K 37/04 (2006.01); C23C 4/131 (2016.01); B23K 37/00 (2006.01); C23C 4/10 (2016.01); C23C 4/18 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 9/04 (2013.01) [B23K 9/30 (2013.01); B23K 37/00 (2013.01); B23K 37/0426 (2013.01); C23C 4/10 (2013.01); C23C 4/131 (2016.01); C23C 4/18 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of welding, said method comprising:
providing a fixture in which to secure at least one workpiece;
providing the fixture with a first drive, said first drive being operable to move the workpiece during welding in at least a first degree of freedom;
providing a welding head positioned to address a workpiece held in the fixture;
providing a welding rod held by said welding head;
said welding head being driven in vibration in at least a second degree of freedom, said second degree of freedom being different from said first degree of freedom;
said welding head being driven in vibration independently of said fixture;
said welding head being movable relative to said fixture;
said vibration of said welding head being governed by a forcing function;
said vibration of said welding head including a component of motion normal to a surface of the workpiece;
providing a welding power supply connected to discharge through said welding rod during operation of said welding head on the workpiece;
establishing a first power supply output at a first discharge voltage level;
establishing a second power supply output at a second discharge voltage level;
said second discharge voltage level being lower in magnitude than is said first discharge voltage level; and
during motion of the workpiece in said first degree of freedom, and during vibration of said welding rod in said second degree of freedom, there is a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation;
in said first mode of operation there is melting and deposition of material from the welding rod on the workpiece; in the second mode of operation the previously deposited material is no longer molten;
the first mode of operation has a first time period; the second mode of operation has a second time period;
in said first time period a first discharge of electricity is applied between said welding rod and the workpiece commencing at the first voltage level to cause an electrical arc between said welding rod and the workpiece, during which first time period there is melting and deposition of material from the welding rod on the workpiece; and, later, following a break of contact between said welding rod and the workpiece that terminates said electrical arc between said welding rod and said workpiece, ends melting and deposition of material of said welding rod on the workpiece and ends said first time period, there follows said second time period of said second mode of operation, after said break of contact, in which engagement between the welding rod and the workpiece is limited to said second voltage level.