Ultrasonic Horn Assembly Stack Component Connector Having Threadless Segment

Patent Publication Number: US 7514846 B2

Title: Ultrasonic horn assembly stack component connector having threadless segment

Filing Date: October 10, 2006

Priority Date: November 4, 2002

Inventor(s): Norman R. Stegelmann

Original Assignee / Applicant(s): Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Link to Patent: US7514846B2

Summary:

This invention claims an ultrasonic horn assembly for applying ultrasonic energy at an operating location, the said assembly including a connector between horn assembly components that provides uniform clamping pressure between transfer faces of the components. In an evaluation test, horn assembly components were assembled using connectors of this invention and, for comparison, analogous components were connected using a fully threaded stud according to the prior-art. In connecting the components, a torque of 30 ft-lbs was applied in each instance. An impression of each of the respective interfaces where the energy transfer faces were brought into engagement was taken by installing a pressure sensing film Fujifilm Prescale® at interfaces between the respective components. A more uniform dark impression on the Fujifilm Prescale® at the interface of the assembly of the present invention, as compared to that assembled according to the prior-art, indicates that the connector between horn assembly components according to the present invention provides more uniform clamping pressure between transfer faces of the components.