Friction stir welding machines and methods
AssigneeSpirit AeroSystems, Inc.
InventorHeath Edward Misak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A friction stir welding machine and method that injects filler materials into a weld joint and determines the amount of materials to add by monitoring and compensating for insufficient internal weld pressures in the joint. Two workpieces are placed adjacent one another in an abutting relationship with a joint formed between them. A pin tool is inserted in the joint, rotated, and moved along the joint as the pin is rotating so as to mix and heat materials in the joint. Internal weld pressures in the joint adjacent the pin tool are monitored, and filler materials are injection into the joint when an internal weld pressure below a threshold weld pressure is detected.
Claims20
A method of joining workpieces via friction stir welding, the method comprising:
- placing the workpieces adjacent one another with a joint between them;
- inserting a pin of a pin tool in the joint;
- rotating the pin;
- moving the pin tool along the joint as the pin is rotating to mix and heat materials in the joint;
- monitoring internal weld pressures in the joint;
- and
- injecting metal materials into the joint when the monitoring step detects an internal weld pressure below a threshold weld pressure.
A method of joining two workpieces via friction stir welding, the method comprising:
- placing the workpieces adjacent one another in an abutting relationship with a joint formed between them;
- positioning an upper shoulder of a pin tool on an upper side of the joint;
- positioning a lower shoulder of the pin tool on a lower side of the joint;
- moving the upper and lower shoulders toward one another to apply forging and pinching forces on the joint;
- inserting a pin of the pin tool in the joint;
- rotating the pin;
- moving the pin tool along the joint as the pin is rotated to mix and heat materials in the joint;
- monitoring internal weld pressures in the joint adjacent the pin;
- and
- injecting powdered metal materials into the joint when the monitoring step detects an internal weld pressure below a threshold weld pressure.
A friction stir welding machine comprising:
- a pin tool comprising—
- an upper shoulder;
- a lower shoulder spaced from the upper shoulder to form a gap therebetween for accommodating edges of two abutting workpieces;
- and
- a pin extending between the upper shoulder and the lower shoulder;
- a drive spindle for rotating the pin and translating the pin tool along the joint as the pin rotates;
- and
- an additive material assembly for adding filler materials to the joint when internal weld pressures in the joint drop below a threshold weld pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.