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:
Aug. 24, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 12, 2002
Applicant:
Inventors:
Brian J. Dracup, San Francisco, CA (US);
William J. Arbegast, Picayune, MS (US);
Assignee:
Lockheed Martin Corporation, New Orleans, LA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B23K 2/012 ; B64D 1/06 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B23K 2/012 ; B64D 1/06 ;
Abstract
The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for joining aluminum allow panels (eg. 2090-T83 aluminum lithium alloy). The method preliminarily positions two panels and skin panels next to each other so that a stringer panel overlaps a skin panel. A friction stir weld pin tool penetrates through one panel and at least partially into another panel. The panel material around the pin tool is frictionally heated.