Patent ID: 7769551
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: B06B,B23K,B29C,G01B

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring a gap between a single vibrational body and a reference for ultrasonic welding, wherein a portion of the vibrational body is fixed a given distance from the reference by a rigid mounting system, the method comprising: providing a vibrational body including an ultrasonic horn; monitoring a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic horn connected to a converter and a booster; cooling at least the converter and the booster during operation to maintain a substantially constant temperature therein, wherein the temperature of the ultrasonic horn substantially changes during operation; determining a quantity standing in known relation to an approximate change in length of the gap, based upon the resonant frequency; and automatically adjusting the given distance between the fixed portion of the vibrational body and the reference, based upon the resonant frequency of the vibrational body, wherein the reference is independent of the vibrational body.