Welding head, welding system, method and computer program for friction stir welding

Patent 7156275 Issued on January 2, 2007. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 3, 2023. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Dynamic friction bonding process
Patent #: 4144110
Issued on: 03/13/1979
Inventor: Luc

Friction welding Patent #: 5460317
Issued on: 10/24/1995
Inventor: Thomas, et al.

Inventor

Larsson, Rolf

Assignee

ESAB AB

Application

No. 10503034 filed on 02/03/2003

US Classes:

228/2.1, INCLUDING MEANS TO PROVIDE HEAT BY FRICTION BETWEEN RELATIVELY MOVING SURFACES (I.E., FRICTION WELDER)228/112.1, Using dynamic frictional energy (i.e., friction welding)156/73.5, Friction treatment (e.g., welding)228/2.3Means to rotate one surface relative to the other about a fixed axis

Examiners

Primary: Edmondson, Lynne R.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Dilworth & Barrese LLP

Foreign Patent References

2002045981 JP 02/01/2002
00/02699 WO 01/01/2000

International Classes

B23K 20/12
B23K 37/00

Abstract

Welding head 1 for friction stir welding, adapted for connection and driving of a tool 2 intended for simultaneous friction stir welding from two opposite surfaces on an object for welding, comprising a tool holder 9, a force-generating device 3, 13 and a rotary driving device 5 which, during operation, can impart to the connected tool 2 a cyclic movement around the centre axis 10 of the tool and relative to the object for welding arranged in conjunction with the welding head. The force-generating device is controllable during operation and adapted so as, during operation, to act between a primary shoulder 6 and a secondary shoulder 7 on a tool 2 connected in the tool holder 9. The invention also comprises a welding system for friction stir welding, with the force between the shoulders of the tool being controlled depending on the current torque for rotary driving. Also indicated are a method for initiating friction stir welding and computer program for such a method.