United Technologies Corporation

Francis J Yopak

Antonio B Caruolo

Thomas P Diebold

An apparatus for friction welding a first element to a second element includes a forge assembly having a table defining a platform, a crank, a forge link and a reaction link disposed oppositely of the forge link relative to the platform. Various construction details are disclosed that provide a friction welder that minimizes bending in the forge and motion planes and enhances repeatability of the welds performed. In a specific embodiment, the friction welder may be used in a method to form integrally bladed rotors and further includes a reciprocal motion assembly adapted to generate motion between the elements being welded, a gripper and an base tool. The reciprocal motion assembly includes a servo hydraulic actuator having a hydraulic column frequency greater than the frequency of reciprocation. The gripper is a device for use with bonding an airfoil to the rotor. The base tool is a device for mounting and positioning the rotor for the bonding operations.

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Southwick, MA, United States of America

Francis J Yopak