Method of welding aluminum driveshaft components

Abstract

A method of welding a pair of aluminum driveshaft components together is disclosed. A first driveshaft component is formed with a hollow cylindrical end portion having an inside diameter and a flat radially-extending end surface. A second driveshaft component is formed with a cylindrical end portion extending axially from a flat radially-extending shoulder. The end portion of the second driveshaft component has an outside diameter which is approximately equal to the inside diameter of the cylindrical end portion of the first component. The cylindrical end portion of the first component is telescopically positioned about a portion of the cylindrical end portion of the second component such that a predetermined distance defining a longitudinally-extending annular gap therebetween is maintained between the end surface of the first component and the shoulder of the second component. A welding compound is supplied within the gap to weld the first and second driveshaft components together. An envelope of shielding inert gas can be provided about the gap during the welding process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.