Anvil with rolling elements for friction stir welding
US8033443B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 25, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K20/126
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a Friction Stir Welding process a load, applied through a rotating tool, frictionally heats, plasticizes and commingles selected regions of the workpieces while translating along the length of the joint. The load is supported by an anvil. The applied load inhibits relative motion of the workpiece and conventional anvils due to friction which requires application of higher translation forces and could lead to undesired surface blemishes. Thus conventional practice is to employ bulky, stationary anvils. Compact, moveable anvils comprising freely-rotating or freely moving elements in contact with the workpieces and capable of reducing workpiece-anvil friction are described. Particular benefits of this anvil design are illustrated for the process of assembling inner and outer sheet metal components into an automobile assembly, a portion of which is visible to a vehicle customer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.