Method and apparatus for joining metal components with mitigation of residual stresses
US5670072A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A welding process and an apparatus used therein for providing a significant improvement in the detrimental tensile residual stress condition on the root side of welds, especially on the inside wall of piping welds. The method combines an extremely thin weld joint design with a non-circular cylindrical, thin welding electrode having an elongated cross-sectional shape. During welding, the elongated dimension is aligned parallel with the length of the weld joint. This combination enables joining of piping and other residual stress-sensitive components with both the initial weld joint preparation and the completed weld having a uniquely thin width and with a high aspect ratio of depth to width. Use of this high-aspect-ratio weld joint process substantially mitigates welding-induced residual stresses, without the normally required internal water cooling. The process is considered to be effective in mitigating residual stresses and the associated welding strains (distortion) in joints having any path shape, whether welded from one or more sides of the material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.