18063353. FRICTION STIR WELDING TOOL AND WELDING METHOD simplified abstract (THE BOEING COMPANY)

FRICTION STIR WELDING TOOL AND WELDING METHOD

Organization Name

THE BOEING COMPANY

Inventor(s)

Michael Philip Shemkunas of Mukilteo WA (US)

Scott Anthony Rose of Wentzville MO (US)

Mario A. Reyes of Mercer Island WA (US)

Sean Michael Thuston of High Ridge MO (US)

FRICTION STIR WELDING TOOL AND WELDING METHOD - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18063353 titled 'FRICTION STIR WELDING TOOL AND WELDING METHOD

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a friction stir welding tool that welds two workpieces together at a joint line using a rotating pin, housing, and shoulder.

• The pin extends through the joint line and rotates to perform the welding process.
• The housing is coupled to the pin and supports the workpieces during welding.
• The shoulder surrounds the pin and contacts the outer surfaces of the workpieces to sandwich them between the shoulder and the housing.

Key Features and Innovation

• Friction stir welding tool with rotating pin, housing, and shoulder.
• Pin extends through joint line and rotates to weld workpieces together.
• Housing supports workpieces during welding process.
• Shoulder contacts outer surfaces of workpieces to sandwich them during welding.

Potential Applications

The technology can be used in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding for joining metal components.

Problems Solved

• Provides a reliable and efficient method for welding dissimilar materials.
• Eliminates the need for filler materials in the welding process.
• Produces high-quality welds with minimal distortion.

Benefits

• Strong and durable welds.
• Improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness in welding processes.
• Enhanced structural integrity of welded components.

Commercial Applications

Friction stir welding tools can be used in manufacturing industries for producing a wide range of products, from automotive parts to aerospace components. The technology offers a competitive advantage by enabling high-quality and efficient welding processes.

Prior Art

Readers can explore prior patents related to friction stir welding tools, specifically focusing on innovations in rotating pins, housing designs, and shoulder configurations.

Frequently Updated Research

Stay informed about the latest advancements in friction stir welding technology, including improvements in tool design, materials compatibility, and welding process optimization.

Questions about Friction Stir Welding Tools

What are the key advantages of using friction stir welding tools compared to traditional welding methods?

Friction stir welding tools offer benefits such as improved joint strength, reduced distortion, and enhanced weld quality compared to traditional welding methods.

How can friction stir welding tools be optimized for different types of materials and thicknesses?

Optimizing friction stir welding tools for different materials and thicknesses involves adjusting parameters such as rotation speed, pin geometry, and shoulder design to achieve optimal weld quality.

Original Abstract Submitted

A friction stir welding (FSW) tool includes a pin, a housing, and a shoulder. The pin is configured to extend through a joint line between edges of two work pieces. The pin rotates to perform a FSW process that welds the two work pieces together at the joint line. The housing is coupled to a distal end of the pin to enable rotation of the pin relative to the housing. The pin extends through a support surface of the housing. The support surface contacts respective inner surfaces of the work pieces during the FSW process. The shoulder surrounds the pin and is configured to be rotated during the FSW process. The shoulder contacts respective outer surfaces of the work pieces during the FSW process such that the work pieces are sandwiched between the shoulder and the support surface of the housing.