Friction welding
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorJohn G. Searle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Holding means for a component in a friction welding operation consists of a hollow cassette which is open at one end. The component is inserted into the cassette through an aperture at the open end that is shaped to frictionally engage a thickened portion of the component with a force greater than forces transmitted to the component during a friction welding operation. The component is pressed into the cassette to a predetermined depth so that a portion of it protrudes and forms the weld interface. Material upset during the welding operation may be sheared by increasing the weld generating force to overcome the frictional holding force so the end face passes over the weld region.
Claims13
A method of holding a component in a friction welding operation in which a first component is urged against a second component by a weld-pressure generating force, and relative friction-generating cyclical motion is produced between the two components to generate welding heat, said method comprising the steps of:
- engaging the first component with friction clamping means by pressing the first component with a substantial force into a component receiving aperture defined by parallel internal side walls, thereby generating a frictional holding force at least as great as the weld-pressure generating force applied to the first component during the friction welding operation;
- and
- holding the first component during the friction welding operation with the friction clamping means solely by frictional engagement between the internal side walls of the component receiving aperture and opposite sides of the first component.
A method of friction welding comprising the steps of:
- engaging at least a first component with friction clamping means by pressing the first component with a substantial force into a first component receiving aperture defined by parallel internal side walls, thereby generating a frictional holding force at least as great as a weld-pressure generating force applied to the first component during a welding operation;
- holding the first component during the friction welding operation with the friction clamping means solely by frictional engagement between the internal side walls of the first component receiving aperture and opposite sides of the first component;
- urging the first component against a second component by exerting the weld-pressure generating force;
- and
- causing relative friction-generating cyclical motion between the first component and the second component to generate welding heat.
Friction clamping means for holding a component during a friction welding operation comprising a component holder having engaging means for engaging the component solely by a frictional holding force at least as great as a weld-pressure generating force, the engaging means including a base portion formed with parallel internal side walls that define a component receiving aperture into which the component must be pressed with a substantial force, whereby the component is held solely by the frictional holding force between the internal side walls of the component receiving aperture and opposite sides of the component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.