Engineering topics

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.

Publications and source records attributed to Gilbert, Jeffrey L..

34 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1992

In Situ Robotic Inspection Of Welds

Automated system reduces delays in inspection and rework. System reduces inspection-and-rework delay from days to hours. Path of inspection sensors taken directly from welding path saving time in programming for inspection. Inspection data stored so not lost as inspection equipment turned off. Same robot welding workpiece used to inspect it. In preparation, welding tool mounted on end effector of robot replaced with eddy-current or ultrasonic sensor. Robot recalls welding path from memory and retraces it, recording sensor output as it proceeds.

Van Wyk, Lisa M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Compact Through-The-Torch Vision System

Changes in gas/tungsten-arc welding torch equipped with through-the-torch vision system make it smaller and more resistant to welding environment. Vision subsystem produces image of higher quality, flow of gas enhanced, and parts replaced quicker and easier. Coaxial series of lenses and optical components provides overhead view of joint and weld puddle real-time control. Designed around miniature high-resolution video camera. Smaller size enables torch to weld joints formerly inaccessible.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Long-Wearing Wire Guide For Welding Torch

Insert for wire-guide tube on tungsten/inert-gas welding apparatus extends life of guide tube and increases accuracy of weld. Hardened insert resists wear by sliding tungsten wire. Chamfer guides wire into insert.

Gutow, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Ultrasonic Probe For In Situ Inspection Of Welds

End effector on welding robot contains ultrasonic transducer detecting such flaws as tungsten inclusions and lack of penetration of weld immediately after weld made, while workpiece still mounted; weld reworked in place, if necessary. Mounted on standard arc-welding torch; same length as long gas cup with electrode.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Tool For Installation And Removal Of Welding Electrodes

Special tool assists in installation and removal of welding electrode in welding torch equipped with through-the-torch vision system. Inserted easily into welding torch after welding electrode loaded into hollow shaft. Designed specifically for use within unique configuration of weld block and welding-electrode collet of torch.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Steel Collet For Welding Electrodes

Improved steel collet holds electrode for tungsten inert-gas welding but allows quick and easy replacement. Also ensures reliable arc starting. Slip-on compression ring compresses tapered section of body of collet around inner end of welding electrode. Collet mounted in receptacle below stack of lenses and filters in coaxial-vision welding torch. Blind hole in collet protects outermost lens from damage by electrode.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Infrared Thermography For Welding

Infrared imaging and image-data-processing system shows temperatures of joint during welding and provides data from which rates of heating and cooling determined. Information used to control welding parameters to ensure reliable joints, in materials which microstructures and associated metallurgical and mechanical properties depend strongly on rates of heating and cooling. Applicable to variety of processes, including tungsten/inert-gas welding; plasma, laser, and resistance welding; cutting; and brazing.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Diamond-Coated Wire-Feeding Nozzle

Hard vacuum-deposited film improves nozzle properties. Tip and bore surfaces of proposed nozzle for feeding wire for gas/tungsten arc welding coated with film of synthetic diamond. Film gives nozzle following advantages: lower friction, thermal conductivity, less wear, electrical isolation of wire from nozzle, and high resistance to corrosion.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Jointed Holder For Welding Electrodes

Adjustable-angle holder enables use of standard straight electrode with custom-fabricated bent gas cup for welding in difficult-to-reach places. Electrode replaced easily, without removing cup, with aid of tool loosening miniature collet nut on holder. Consumes fewer electrodes for given amount of welding. Angle of holder continuously adjustable to fit angle of gas cup or geometry of part welded. Holder made double-jointed to accommodate gas cup having compound angles.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Computer-Aided Design Of Sheet-Material Parts

Computer-aided-design system partly automates tedious process of designing and guiding assembly of small pieces of flat sheet material into large surfaces that approximate smoothly curved surfaces having complicated three-dimensional shapes. Capability provides for flexibility enabling designer to assess quickly and easily effects of changes in design in making engineering compromises among various sizes and shapes. Saves time and money in both design and fabrication. Used in rocket-engine application and other applications requiring design of sheet-material parts.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Self-Aligning Sensor-Mounting Fixture

Optical welding sensors replaced without realignment. Mounting fixture for optical weld-penetration sensor enables accurate and repeatable alignment. Simple and easy to use. Assembled on welding torch, it holds sensor securely and keeps it pointed toward weld pool. Designed for use on gas/tungsten arc-welding torch, fixture replaces multipiece bracket.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Beam Splitter For Welding-Torch Vision System

Compact welding torch equipped with along-the-torch vision system includes cubic beam splitter to direct preview light on weldment and to reflect light coming from welding scene for imaging. Beam splitter integral with torch; requires no external mounting brackets. Rugged and withstands vibrations and wide range of temperatures. Commercially available, reasonably priced, comes in variety of sizes and optical qualities with antireflection and interference-filter coatings on desired faces. Can provide 50 percent transmission and 50 percent reflection of incident light to exhibit minimal ghosting of image.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Fast, Nonspattering Inert-Gas Welding

Proposed welding technique combines best features of metal (other than tungsten)/inert-gas welding, plasma arc welding, and tungsten/inert-gas welding. Advantages include: wire fed to weld joint preheated, therefore fed at high speed without spattering; high-frequency energy does not have to be supplied to workpiece to initiate welding; size of arc gap not critical, power-supply control circuit adjusts voltage across gap to compensate for changes; only low gas-flow rate needed; welding electrode replaced easily as prefabricated assembly; external wire-feeding manipulator not needed; and welding process relatively forgiving of operator error.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Zoom Vision System For Robotic Welding

Rugged zoom lens subsystem proposed for use in along-the-torch vision system of robotic welder. Enables system to adapt, via simple mechanical adjustments, to gas cups of different lengths, electrodes of different protrusions, and/or different distances between end of electrode and workpiece. Unnecessary to change optical components to accommodate changes in geometry. Easy to calibrate with respect to object in view. Provides variable focus and variable magnification.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Noncontact Ultrasonic Vibration Of Weld Puddles

Proposed ultrasonic stimulator vibrates weld puddle without making contact. Vibration breaks up large grain clumps in solidifying puddle, creating more uniform, fine-grain microstructure. Resulting weld joint less susceptible to hot cracking and other stress-related forms of degradation.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Arc Reflector For Welding Ducts

Arc-light reflector for through-the-torch welding vision system designed expressly for use in welding ducts of small diameter. Cylindrical reflector positioned to reflect light diffusely from welding arc onto nearby surface of workpiece for most advantageous viewing along axis of welding torch.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗