Clamping apparatus and methods for manufacturing
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJohn A. Baumann, Richard J. Lederich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and methods for clamping around a manufacturing tool engaging a work piece are described. In one embodiment, a clamp includes a moveable support arranged to at least partially surround a circumference defining a work area. A friction reducing element is attached to the support to apply pressure to the surface when the clamp is engaged with the work piece, and to allow the clamp to be moved with the manufacturing tool. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the clamp co-annularly or partially surrounds the manufacturing tool. In another embodiment, the manufacturing tool is a friction stir welding tool.
Claims22
A clamp for securing a work piece during a manufacturing operation, comprising:
- a support arranged to at least partially surround a circumference defining a work area on the work piece, the support having a first end movable relative to a surface of the work piece;
- and
- at least one rotatable friction reducing element disposed between the first end and the work piece, the at least one rotatable friction reducing element configured to at least partially surround the work area and apply a clamping pressure to the surface when the clamp is engaged with the work piece and moved across the work piece,
- wherein the at least one rotatable friction reducing element is at least partially supported at the first end by one of a fluid pressure or a gas pressure that facilitates a rotation of the friction reducing element on the surface of the work piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.