The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 26, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 14, 2001
R. Scott Forrest, Santa Ana, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a backing device for backing up weld joints formed by friction stir welding workpieces having curvilinear geometries. The backing device includes a backing ring defining a contact zone. At least a portion of the contact zone defined by the backing ring engages the weld joint opposite the friction stir welding tool to thereby support the weld joint and to constrain the plasticized material within the weld joint. The backing device includes a restraining member in operable communication with the backing ring to urge the contact zone of the backing ring toward the weld joint. The backing device includes a sensor for measuring the magnitude of force exerted by the contact zone of the backing ring upon the weld joint.