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:
Jul. 22, 2014
Filed:
Mar. 31, 2011
Applicant:
Richard Davis, Houston, TX (US);
Inventor:
Richard Davis, Houston, TX (US);
Assignee:
Smith International, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 17/00 (2006.01); B23K 20/12 (2006.01); E21B 17/10 (2006.01); E21B 10/32 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 17/003 (2013.01); B23K 20/122 (2013.01); E21B 17/1085 (2013.01); E21B 10/32 (2013.01);
Abstract
A method for routing an electrical conductor through a sub-surface channel in substantially any suitable metallic article of manufacture includes friction stir welding a cap in a groove formed in a surface of the article so as to form the sub-surface channel. An electrical conductor is then routed through the channel. The channel may further include a substantially tubular conduit formed therein with the electrical conductor being routed through the conduit. The friction stir weld zone formed during friction stir welding is generally harder and more wear resistant that the article body.