Friction welding methods and apparatus
AssigneeThe Welding Institute
InventorRodger H. Lilly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to joining a ring to a tube passing through the ring, for example, or for joining two pipes end to end by means of a ring. In one form of the invention the ring is radially compressed during relative rotation of the parts to be joined by a pressure substantially uniformly distributed around the ring to develop frictional heat and to cause penetration of the ring into the tube or aligned pipes. The relative rotation is then stopped and a friction weld is formed. Many variations are possible: for example a rotating internal ring may be expanded by radial pressure and thereby friction welded to a tube or across the junction of two pipes.
Claims21
A method of friction welding for joining a first member with a circular hole to a second member having a circular periphery, comprising:
- arranging the second member with its said circular periphery within and co-axial with the said circular hold of the first member so that the first member encircles the second member in a continuous manner and with clearance radially therebetween;
- relatively rotating the first and second members about the common axis of the said hole and periphery;
- during such rotation, subjecting the peripheral wall of at least one of the members, remote from the other of the members, to pressure substantially exclusively perpendicular to the said axis, the pressure being substantially uniformly distributed around the said periperal wall and being directed to move the members into frictional contact;
- and continuing the relative rotation and said pressure substantially exclusively perpendicular to the said axis until sufficient frictional heat has been developed and sufficient penetration has been achieved to permit a friction weld between the outer surface of the second member and the inner surface of the first member.
Apparatus for joining by friction welding a first member with a circular hole to a second member having a circular periphery, comprising:
- means for supporting the two members so that the said circular periphery of the second member is within, radially clear of and co-axial with the circular hole of the first member;
- means for relatively rotating the said members about their common axis;
- and means for applying to one of the said members a pressure, uniformly distributed around substantially its whole periphery, substantially exclusively perpendicular to the said axis and being directed to urge the members into frictional contact and for maintaining said pressure while said members are relatively rotated, until sufficient frictional heat has been developed and sufficient penetration has been achieved to permit a friction weld between the outer surface of the second member and the inner surface of the first member.
Apparatus for joining by friction welding two members in the form of pipes by means of a third member in the form of a ring, comprising:
- means for gripping the two pipes substantially in axial alignment, means for supporting a ring around the outside or inside of the pipes and bridging their interface;
- driving means for rotating the said ring-supporting means;
- and means for applying a pressure uniformly distributed around substantially the whole periphery of the ring and substantially exclusively in the radial direction for radially compressing or expanding, respectively, the said ring into contact with the adjacent ends of the two pipes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.