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. 26, 2008
Filed:
May. 06, 2005
Applicants:
Franna S. Pitt, Auburn, WA (US);
Keith Mcternan, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Inventors:
Franna S. Pitt, Auburn, WA (US);
Keith McTernan, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Assignee:
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B23K 31/02 (2006.01); B21D 39/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A method for superplastically forming a preform to manufacture a structural assembly with a contoured configuration is provided. The preform includes first and second structural members in a stacked configuration, with at least one additional peripheral member abutting the stack and joined thereto by a friction welded butt joint. In some cases, the preform defines dissimilar forming characteristics throughout, such as variations in material or thickness according to the amount of superplastic forming to be performed in each portion of the preform.