US 12,441,066 B2
Method and system for welding thermoplastic panels
Robert Lechner, Chula Vista, CA (US); Jonathan S. Huang, Pasadena, CA (US); and Michael van Tooren, San Diego, 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. 17/566,265.
Prior Publication US 2023/0211565 A1, Jul. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 65/32 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29K 101/12 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 65/32 (2013.01) [B29C 66/836 (2013.01); B29K 2101/12 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3076 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for welding thermoplastic components along a weld line, comprising:
a component positioning system that includes a trailing force applicator having a first lateral side trailing force applicator disposed on a first lateral side of the weld line and a second lateral side trailing force applicator disposed on a second lateral side of the weld line; and
a welding subsystem configured to weld the thermoplastic components together at a weld zone, the welding subsystem having a probe;
wherein the first lateral side trailing force applicator and the second lateral side trailing force applicator are laterally spaced apart from the weld zone, each of the first lateral side trailing force applicator and the second lateral side trailing force applicator including a biasing structure; and
wherein the first lateral side trailing force applicator and the second lateral side trailing force applicator are disposed aft of the weld zone; and
wherein the system is configured so that the first lateral side trailing force applicator, the second lateral side trailing force applicator, and the welding subsystem probe are moved relative to the thermoplastic components during welding, or the thermoplastic components are moved relative to the first lateral side trailing force applicator, the second lateral side trailing force applicator, and the welding subsystem probe,
wherein at least one of the first lateral side trailing force applicator or the second lateral side trailing force applicator comprises a rotatable belt assembly having a belt configured for contact with the thermoplastic components, and the biasing structure biases the belt assembly into said contact with the thermoplastic components.