Process and apparatus for applying brazing material to a metallic structure through the use of vibration

1. A process for applying brazing material to a metallic structure, which comprises:

forming a metallic structure as a honeycomb body having a plurality of individual parts defining passages through which a fluid can flow and passage walls having regions of contact which are to be joined;

bringing the metallic structure into contact with a pulverulent brazing material causing the brazing material to at least partially adhere to the metallic structure;

vibrating at least the metallic structure at least during the step of bringing the metallic structure into contact with the pulverulent brazing material; and

carrying out the vibrating step by holding the metallic structure with at least one of a gripper and a manipulator arm and by transmitting vibration to the metallic structure through at least one of the gripper, the manipulator arm and a pulse emitter emitting a frequency of vibration between 20 Hz and 100 Hz and an amplitude of vibration in a range between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, thereby forcing the brazing material accumulated in the regions of contact of the adjacent passage walls into the regions of contact and being fixed in place.

2. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises placing the brazing material inside a vessel, and carrying out the vibrating step by transmitting vibration through the vessel.

3. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises:

providing the metallic structure as a honeycomb body having an axis, an end face, passage walls and passages adjoining the end face and extending parallel to the axis; and

carrying out the vibrating step by rotationally vibrating the honeycomb body and the brazing material relative to one another.

4. The process according to claim 3 , which further comprises carrying out the vibrating step by executing a motion relative to the brazing material with the entire end face of the honeycomb body.

5. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises carrying out the vibrating step by vibrating with a constant amplitude.

6. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises carrying out the vibrating step with a frequency of vibration changing during the vibration.

7. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises executing an immersing motion in axial direction of the metallic structure with at least one of the brazing material and the metallic structure.

8. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises providing at least regions of the metallic structure to which brazing material is intended to adhere with a bonding agent prior to application of the brazing material.

9. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises carrying out the step of bringing the metallic structure into contact with the brazing material by applying the brazing material only up to a predeterminable height starting from an end face of the metallic structure.

10. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises moving the metallic structure relative to the brazing material from one end face of the metallic structure after the step of bringing the metallic structure into contact with the brazing material, and repeating application of the brazing material from another end face of the metallic structure.

11. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises continuing to vibrate the metallic structure for a predeterminable time after the metallic structure has been brought into contact with the brazing material.

12. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises at least partially cleaning the metallic structure while removing excess brazing material from the metallic structure.

13. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises at least partially cleaning the metallic structure while removing excess brazing material from the metallic structure with a fluid flowing through the metallic structure.

14. The process according to claim 1 , which further comprises constructing the metallic structure as a honeycomb body having at least partially structured sheet-metal foils defining passages forming pockets, and substantially accumulating the brazing material in the pockets as a result of the vibrating step.

15. An apparatus for applying a pulverulent brazing material to a metallic structure according to the process of claim 1 , comprising:

a vessel for holding the pulverulent brazing material;

a manipulator arm for holding the metallic structure; and

a device for generating vibration in at least the metallic structure, said device for generating vibration being at least one of a vibrator connected to the metallic structure and a pulse emitter for carrying out a vibration frequency between 20 Hz and 100 Hz and a vibration amplitude between 0.1 mm and 3 mm.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein said device for generating vibration is a vibrator connected to said vessel.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein said vibrator is part of said manipulator arm.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein said device for generating vibration is a pulse emitter for vibrating the pulverulent brazing material.