Friction stir welding tool cleaning method
US7641739B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K20/1225
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is directed to a friction stir welding tool cleaning method and apparatus for fixed and retractable pin tools. The method and apparatus use a heating component, a temperature indicator component, a controller component, and a rotatable tool cleaner component for cleaning fixed pin tools. An additional bore cleaner component is used for cleaning retractable pin tools. Heat is applied to a friction stir welding tool having a surface with weld process residue material until the process residue material is sufficiently plasticized, and then the tool cleaner component is applied to the heated tool to remove the plasticized residue on the pin and shoulder surfaces of the tool, and for retractable pin tools, the bore cleaner component is applied to the heated tool to remove the plasticized residue in the tool bore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.