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. 17, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 09, 2004
Timothy J Trapp, Columbus, OH (US);
Timothy V Stotler, Columbus, OH (US);
Timothy J Trapp, Columbus, OH (US);
Timothy V Stotler, Columbus, OH (US);
Edison Welding Institute, Columbus, OH (US);
Abstract
The apparatus () includes a friction stir welding tool (), a local clamping means (), and an interface () that joins the tool () and the local clamping means (). The local clamping means () is in close proximity to the at least one sidewall () of the tool () and has a housing () and a plurality of contact devices (). The local clamping means () transfers a clamping force to the first and the second components (C, C) and holds them firmly in place during welding. The local clamping means () includes a plurality of contact devices () that may take the form of casters, rollers (), and ball bearings (). The location of the contact devices () is significant as external clamping is greatly reduced, and often eliminated, as the contact devices () are brought into close proximity to the area of the weld.