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:
Feb. 10, 2009
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2004
Rajesh Talwar, Frontenac, MO (US);
James M. Ogonowski, Chesterfield, MO (US);
Ricky L. Martin, St. Peters, MO (US);
Rajesh Talwar, Frontenac, MO (US);
James M. Ogonowski, Chesterfield, MO (US);
Ricky L. Martin, St. Peters, MO (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A method of friction stir welding joints with shims and an associated structural assembly is provided. The structural assembly includes one or more skin members that are disposed and friction stir welded to a substructure. A shim is disposed in a space defined by the other members of the assembly, e.g., between adjacent skin members or between a skin member and the substructure. The shim can be friction stir welded to the other members. That is, the adjacent skin members can be connected via the shim, and/or the skin members can be connected to the substructure via the shim. In some cases, the skin members and the substructure are relatively stiff, and the shim substantially fills the space to reduce flexing of the members during the friction stir welding operation.