Louis Krivanek

US Patent:

45230684, Jun 11, 1985

Filed:

Sep 19, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/533080

Inventors:

David L. Lund - Minneapolis MN
Senajit J. Majumdar - Niles IL
William E. Mullane - Warren OH
Louis Krivanek - Warren OH

Assignee:

GNB Batteries Inc. - Mendota Heights MN

International Classification:

H05B 610

US Classification:

219 1053

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for fusing the ends of battery cell terminal posts and the ends of hollow bushings fixed in the plastic cover of a battery being assembled and within which the terminal posts are concentrically disposed. The apparatus includes a pair of induction heating coils which each concentrically support a mold cavity insert adapted to receive the ends of the terminal posts and bushings to be fused and a ferrite insert adapted to concentrate induced current in the ends of the terminal post and bushings upon energization of the coils. An electrical control is provided for selectively generating a radio-frequency oscillating current in the coils to effect heating, melting, and fusion of the ends of the terminal posts and bushings to consistent fusion depths while the plastic battery case remains substantially uneffected. The control is adapted to substantially instantaneously energize the inductance heating coils to a first power level, maintain such power level for a first predetermined period for melting the ends of the terminal posts and bushings, and then gradually decrease the power level in a substantially uniform controlled manner for a second predetermined period to produce finished fused terminals with good surface appearance.