Resistance welding methods and apparatus
AssigneesSpirit AeroSystems, Inc., Stichting TPRC
InventorsKerrick Robert Dando, Andrea Christine Meyer, Ulrich Sachs, Thibault Hernandez
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.
Claims10
A method of resistance welding a first faying surface of a first composite article to a second faying surface of a second composite article, wherein one or both of the faying surfaces comprises a meltable or softenable material;
- the method comprising:
- contacting the first and second faying surfaces to define a contact area therebetween;
- providing a conductive element between the faying surfaces along a length of the contact area;
- the conductive element comprising a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area;
- wherein each electrode portion extends across a respective width of the contact area and each end thereof comprising an electrode extending from the contact area;
- applying an electrical current between the electrodes of a first said electrode portion to raise the temperature of the meltable or softenable material and weld together a portion of the faying surfaces between the electrodes of the first electrode portion;
- applying an electrical current between the electrodes of a second said electrode portion to raise the temperature of the meltable or softenable material and weld together a portion of the faying surfaces between the electrodes of the second electrode portion;
- and
- applying an electrical current between electrodes of the first and second electrode portions to raise the temperature of the meltable or softenable material and weld together a portion of the faying surfaces of the first and second electrode portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.