Induction welding of thermoplastic with metallic strips

A method of joining a first workpiece to a second workpiece, the method comprising:

• induction welding the first workpiece to the second workpiece, wherein a first side of the second workpiece at least partially overlays a first side of the first workpiece, wherein the first workpiece is a first thermoplastic composite structure, wherein the second workpiece is a second thermoplastic composite structure, wherein a polymer tape at least partially overlays a second side of the second workpiece, wherein the polymer tape is disposed between the second side of the second workpiece and a non-ferrous metallic strip for conducting heat uniformly at a welding region between the first side of the second workpiece and the first side of the first workpiece, wherein the non-ferrous metallic strip comprising at least one of copper, aluminum, gold, and silver, wherein the metallic strip is a mesh, and wherein the induction welding is at the welding region, wherein the induction welding further comprises:
• operating an induction welding tool at the welding region, wherein the induction welding tool comprises an induction welding tool surface, wherein the induction welding tool surface is located proximate the non-ferrous metallic strip;
• and
• energizing a coil located proximate a second side of the first workpiece, wherein the coil is configured to energize with an electric current, wherein the energized coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic field that induces the electric current which heats the first workpiece and the second workpiece at the welding region, wherein the heat generated by the coil is configured to weld, by the induction welding tool, the second workpiece to the first workpiece at the welding region;
• and
• removing the polymer tape from the second workpiece after induction welding.

An induction welding apparatus, the induction welding apparatus comprising:

• a first workpiece, wherein the first workpiece is a first thermoplastic composite structure;
• a second workpiece, wherein the second workpiece is a second thermoplastic composite structure and wherein a first side of the second workpiece at least partially overlays a first side of the first workpiece;
• an embedded non-ferrous metallic strip located proximate a second side of the second workpiece, wherein the non-ferrous metallic strip is configured to conduct heat uniformly at a welding region between the first side of the second workpiece and the first side of the first workpiece, wherein the non-ferrous metallic strip comprises at least one of copper, aluminum, gold, and silver, and wherein the embedded metallic strip is a mesh;
• an induction welding tool located proximate the non-ferrous metallic strip, wherein the induction welding tool comprises an induction welding tool surface;
• and
• a coil, wherein the coil is located proximate a second side of the first workpiece, wherein the coil is configured to energize with an electric current, wherein the energized coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic field that induces the electric current which heats the first workpiece and the second workpiece at the welding region, wherein the heat generated by the coil is configured to weld, by the induction welding tool, the second workpiece to the first workpiece at the welding region.