Method of welding metals using stress waves
AssigneeGrumman Aerospace Corporation
InventorBasil P. Leftheris
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Abstract
Method for forming or deforming a metal workpiece by passing a stress wave through the metal workpiece sufficient to render it momentarily plastic. The apparatus is basically comprised of a stress wave focusing device or amplifier. In operation, a workpiece is placed in a die or shaping means. The stress wave amplifier is then arranged to direct or focus the stress wave to the metal workpiece. Next, a stress wave is generated and passed through the stress wave focusing device, imparting a momentary state of plasticity to the metal workpiece.
Claims3
A method of spot welding two metallic workpieces of similar materials which are in contact with one another, comprising the steps of:
- electromagnetically generating a stress wave having a high particle velocity;
- conditioning the high velocity stress wave to increase its intensity and duration;
- applying the conditioned stress wave as a single pulse to one of the metallic workpieces;
- and
- providing sufficient energy density at the interface of the workpieces from the conditioned stress wave pulse to generate enough heat to weld the two metallic workpieces together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.