U.S. Department of Energy

Sciaky Bros., Inc.

Ferranti Sciaky, Inc.

William J Farrell

Albert M Sciaky

George A Goeppner

Richard A Rosenberg

John R Noonan

Qing Ma

Julius L Solomon

A method for joining metal-matrix composites (MMCs) by using high power x-rays as a volumetric heat source is provided. The method involves directing an x-ray to the weld line between two adjacent MMCs materials to create an irradiated region or melt zone. The x-rays have a power density greater than about 10.sup.4 watts/cm.sup.2 and provide the volumetric heat required to join the MMC materials. Importantly, the reinforcing material of the metal-matrix composites remains uniformly distributed in the melt zone, and the strength of the MMCs are not diminished. In an alternate embodiment, high power x-rays are used to provide the volumetric heat required to weld metal elements, including metal elements comprised of metal alloys. In an alternate embodiment, high power x-rays are used to provide the volumetric heat required to weld metal elements, including metal elements comprised of metal alloys.

High power x-ray welding of metal-matrix composites

A method and apparatus for correcting the undeflected resting position of an electron beam which has been displaced from its previous resting position because of physical or positional changes in elements of the electron gun which is generating the electron beam. The electron beam is directed towards a detector which determines the direction and amplitude of the deviation along mutually perpendicular axes of the point of impingement of the electron beam from a given reference point. The signals generated by the detector, in cooperation with a computer-controlled deflection system of the electron gun, cause the beam to be displaced in a series of iterative steps to the reference point. The distance and direction of the beam from its resting position to the reference point is maintained in the memory of the computer.

Beam position correction device

This invention concerns a process of welding by an electron beam. The process is one in which the beam is rapidly deflected from point to point of a predetermined matrix of spots over which the beam rests for predetermined lengths of time in order to produce a predetermined distribution of energy over a defined area along the surface of the material being welded along a seam formed at the adjacent edges of workpieces. The length of time the beam is maintained at each position and the total beam power may be varied from spot to spot in order to produce a desired distribution of energy over a given area. This process is useful to avoid defects in partial penetration welds and in the welding of joints in which the gap between the edges to be welded may approach the diameter of the electron beam. The method is also useful in avoiding defects which may normally occur at the beginning and end of a weld seam.

Method for electron beam welding

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Flossmoor, IL, United States of America

William J Farrell