Friction stir welding fastener
AssigneeTemper IP, LLC
InventorsWilliam C. Dykstra, Luke A. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat assisted friction stir welding system and fastener for use therewith allows the joining a variety of dissimilar materials, including joining composites and plastics to metal, in which the fastener becomes part of the bond. The fastener can be constructed from multiple materials, allowing for the joining of dissimilar metals. Heating the materials to be joined reduces the clamping force and torque required by the friction stir weld process. The result is a bond that is stronger with less energy input.
Claims30
A friction stir weld fastener system that is configured to fasten two or more objects together via friction stir welding, said fastener system comprising:
- a fastener comprising a head and a shaft portion, wherein said shaft portion is configured to protrude through a first object and wherein, when said shaft portion protrudes through the first object, said shaft portion engages a second object, and wherein said head of said fastener does not protrude through the first object;
- and
- wherein, at least when protruding through the first object and engaging the second object, said fastener is moved relative to the first and second objects to friction stir weld said fastener to at least the second object, whereby said fastener fastens the first and second objects together.
A friction stir weld system that is configured to fasten two or more objects together via friction stir welding and riveting, said system comprising:
- a fastener comprising a head and a shaft portion, wherein said shaft portion is configured to protrude through a first object and wherein, when said shaft portion protrudes through the first object, said shaft portion engages a second object, and wherein the head of said fastener does not protrude through the first object;
- and
- wherein said fastener is moved relative to the first and second objects to friction stir weld said fastener to at least the first object, and riveted by upsetting at least a portion of said shaft portion into the second object, whereby said fastener fastens the first and second objects together.
A method of friction stir welding two or more objects together, said method comprising:
- providing a fastener having a head and a shaft portion;
- providing first and second objects and arranging the first and second objects next to each other at said fastener;
- moving, via a driving device, said fastener and driving said shaft portion into at least the second object;
- wherein, as said fastener is movably driven, said shaft portion protrudes through the first object and engages the second object, and wherein said head of said fastener does not protrude through the first object;
- and
- wherein, responsive to movable driving of said fastener, said fastener fastens and friction stir welds the first and second objects together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.