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:
Jan. 17, 2006
Filed:
May. 15, 2003
Brian J. Dracup, San Francisco, CA (US);
William J. Arbegast, Rapid City, SD (US);
Brian J. Dracup, San Francisco, CA (US);
William J. Arbegast, Rapid City, SD (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, New Orleans, LA (US);
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, plasticized and joined until the faying surface is substantially consumed. In another embodiment, a tee-shaped structure is formed using friction stir welding to join three panels together. A projecting part of one panel (center, vertical) provides material that becomes a contoured corner panel below two side, horizontal panels after friction stir welding is completed (FIGS.)