Planetary resistance welding device and methods therefor

摘要

Devices and methods are contemplated in which a first electrode is circumferentially movable about a second electrode such that a tubular work piece can be resistance welded to a second work piece. Most preferably, the first electrode is a wheel-shaped electrode, while the second electrode is static and disk-shaped.

主权项

1. A resistance welding device, comprising:
a first static element comprising a first electrode, wherein the first element is configured to receive and conductively retain at least a portion of a first curved work piece; wherein the first element is further configured to allow placement of a second work piece into a position that allows circumferential resistance welding of the first curved work piece to the second curved work piece; a second element comprising an arm that is coupled to a second wheel-shaped electrode, wherein the second element is operationally coupled to the first element such that the second element is circumferentially movable about the first element, and wherein the second wheel-shaped electrode is coupled to the arm via a weld wheel actuator that is configured to move the second wheel-shaped electrode towards or away from the first element; wherein the second element is operationally coupled to the first element via an orbital gear set such that the first and second electrodes allow for contact with the first and second work pieces during circumferential movement to thereby allow circumferential resistance welding of the first curved work piece to the second curved work piece; and a drive system coupled to the orbital gear set and configured to provide for orbital motion of the arm around the first element.