James J Sheehan

US Patent:

6434244, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Apr 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/558723

Inventors:

Allan J. Roberts - Poughquag NY
James F. Sheehan - Warren CT

Assignee:

Branson Ultrasonics Corporation - Danbury CT

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381190, 31032301

Abstract:

An electroacoustic converter is disclosed for converting electrical energy into mechanical vibrations at a predetermined frequency. The converter is supplied with alternating electrical power from a power supply. The converter has a metal front driver mass, a metal back driver mass, a front ceramic stack, a back ceramic stack, a spacer between said front and back ceramic stacks, and a fastener extending axially of the converter coupling the front and back drivers masses to clamp the ceramic stacks and the spacer between the front and back drivers. The front and back ceramic stacks are of a suitable piezoelectric ceramic material such that when energized with alternating electrical power from the power supply the piezoelectric material renders the converter resonant at the predetermined frequency. The spacer, back driver, and front driver masses are provided with fins to radiate heat from the converter. The converter exhibits substantially even temperatures and a vibrational node within the spacer.

US Patent:

6457626, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Jan 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/772122

Inventors:

James F. Sheehan - Warren CT
Sylvio J. Mainolfi - Roxbury CT

Assignee:

Branson Ultrasonics Corporation - Danbury CT

International Classification:

B23K 106

US Classification:

228 11, 2281101, 156 731, 1565801

Abstract:

An ultrasonic rotary horn has tapered input sections for the conversion of axial acoustic energy into radial acoustic energy. The preferred rotary horn includes a first half having a first radial weld section and a first axial input section for receiving a first axial acoustic energy. The rotary horn further includes a second half coupled to the first half. The second half has a second radial weld section and a second axial input section for receiving a second axial acoustic energy. Each half has a coned section defined by an inner tapered surface and an outer tapered surface such that the halves convert a portion of the first and second axial acoustic energy into radial acoustic energy. Each inner tapered surface forms an inner angle with respect to an axis of the horn and each outer tapered surface forms an outer angle with respect to the axis.

US Patent:

20060144906, Jul 6, 2006

Filed:

Jan 4, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/325684

Inventors:

James Sheehan - Warren CT, US
Robert Griswold - Ansonia CT, US

International Classification:

B23K 20/10

US Classification:

228110100

Abstract:

An ultrasonic welding apparatus and method uses a high-Q tool to increase the Q of a weld stack. In an aspect, the high Q-tool is a booster. In an aspect, the high-Q booster is a full wave booster. In an aspect, the high-Q booster is a radially resonant booster. In an aspect, the high-Q tool is a radially resonant tool. In an aspect, the Q of the weld stack is increased by the use of the high-Q tool while retaining a particular gain level.