CLAMPING METHOD AND APPARATUS

• US 20160067817A1
• Filed: 11/18/2015
• Published: 03/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: MATLACK, Mike P., BURTON, Kurt A., BAUMANN, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,687,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/123 Controlling or monitoring the welding process
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/126 Workpiece support, i.e. backing or clamping
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/006 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/04 for holding or positioning work
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0435 Clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 1/24 Details, e.g. jaws of special shape, slideways

Abstract

One example of the present disclosure relates to a method of processing first and second workpieces. The method includes constraining the second workpiece; abutting first and second workpieces together to form a joint; applying first and second selectively adjustable forces against the first workpiece to bias the first workpiece against the second workpiece; friction stir welding the first and second workpieces along the joint; maintaining the forces equal to each other while friction stir welding; and automatically varying at least one of the forces responsive to thermal size variations of the first and second workpieces. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for biasing a first workpiece in a first direction along a surface against a second workpiece, wherein the second workpiece is incapable of moving in the first direction, the apparatus comprising:

a chassis including a first chassis portion and a second chassis portion, adjustably movable relative to the first chassis portion;

a first plunger movable relative to the first chassis portion;

first means for biasing the first plunger away from the second chassis portion with a first force;

a second plunger movable relative to the first chassis portion; and

second means for biasing the second plunger away from the second chassis portion with a second force.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first force is substantially equal to the second force.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a plurality of stops abutting the second workpiece and not movable in the first direction relative to the surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chassis is pivotable relative to the surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the chassis is pivotable relative to the surface about a pin.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pin is attached to the chassis.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the chassis further includes an opening sized to receive the pin with a clearance fit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the second chassis portion is movable relative to the first chassis portion to adjust the first force and the second force, and

the first force and the second force are inversely proportional to a distance between the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further including an adjuster associated with the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the adjuster includes a shank and a receiver, coupled to the shank.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the shank is fixed relative to the first chassis portion and the receiver is threadably movable relative to the shank and contacts the second chassis portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first chassis portion includes a fixed shoulder facing in the first direction along the surface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fixed shoulder is located between the first plunger and the second plunger when viewed along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and to the surface.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the first chassis portion includes a flange extending in the first direction along the surface, and

the flange includes an aperture in visual communication with the fixed shoulder when viewed along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and to the surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a first apparatus and further comprising at least one second apparatus substantially identical to the first apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first apparatus and the at least one second apparatus are located along the first side of the first workpiece.