Joining of structural members by friction plug welding
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsKeith R. McTernan, Douglas J. Waldron, Ray Miryekta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure The method of manufacturing a structural assembly includes positioning a first structural member at least partially adjacent a second structural member to define an interface therebetween and inserting a rotating plug into the first and second structural members at the interface to thereby join the first structural member to the second structural member. The resulting friction plug weld provides a relatively strong joint between the structural members, requires less forming and machining time, and is compatible with single-sided tooling. Additionally, the friction plug weld is compatible with other joining methods, such as friction stir welding.
Claims40
A method of manufacturing a structural assembly, comprising:
- positioning a first structural member at least partially adjacent a second structural member to define an interface therebetween;
- and
- inserting a rotating plug into the first and second structural members at the interface to thereby join the first structural member to the second structural member.
A method of manufacturing a structural assembly, comprising:
- positioning a first structural member at least partially adjacent a second structural member to define an interface therebetween;
- positioning a plug adjacent the outer surface of the first structural member;
- rotating the plug;
- and
- concurrently with said rotating step, inserting the plug into the first and second structural members at the interface to thereby join the first structural member to the second structural member.
A structural assembly, comprising:
- a first structural member;
- a second structural member positioned at least partially adjacent to said first structural member so as to define an interface therebetween;
- and
- at least one friction plug weld joint which joins said first structural member to said second structural member.
A structural assembly, comprising:
- a first structural member;
- a second structural member positioned at least partially adjacent to said first structural member so as to define an interface therebetween;
- and
- at least one friction plug weld joint which joins said first structural member to said second structural member, said friction plug weld joint extending through said first structural member at said interface and at least partially into said second structural member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.