Method of manufacturing an article by diffusion bonding
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing an article by diffusion bonding at least two metalwork pieces, comprising the steps of:
- (a) assembling the at least two metalwork pieces into a stack relative to each other so that the surfaces are in mating contact, (b) sealing the edges of the at least two metal workpieces together, except for an aperture where a pipe is to be inserted, joining a pipe to the stack to provide a sealed assembly, the pipe having an inner diameter, a thickness and an end, the inner diameter of the pipe being greater than twice the thickness of the pipe, joining the end of the pipe to the stack such that the axis of the pipe is arranged at an angle of at least 45°
to the axis of the aperture and the axis of the end of the pipe at the joint between the end of the pipe and the stack is arranged at an angle of at least 45°
to the axis of the aperture such that during the subsequent diffusion bonding step suck back of the pipe into the stack is substantially reduced, (c) evacuating the interior of the sealed assembly via the pipe, (d) sealing the pipe with at least one seal, (e) applying sufficient heat and pressure across the thickness of the at least two metalwork pieces to diffusion bond the at least two metalwork pieces together to form an integral structure.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of diffusion bonding at least two metal workpieces (12, 14, 16) comprises assembling the workpieces (12, 14, 16) into a stack (10) relative to each other so that the surfaces (18, 20, 22, 24) are in mating contact. The edges of the workpieces (12, 14, 16) are sealed together, except for an aperture (42) where a pipe (44) is to be inserted. A pipe (44) is joined to the stack (10) such that the axis (50) of the pipe (44) is arranged at an angle of at least 45° to the axis (48) of the aperture (42) to provide a sealed assembly. The interior of the sealed assembly is evacuated via the pipe (44) and the pipe (44) is sealed. Sufficient heat and pressure is applied across the thickness of the workpieces (10, 12, 14) to diffusion bond the workpieces together to form an integral structure. The angling of the pipe (44) relative to the aperture (42) reduces the possibility of the pipe (44) being sucked back and bursting during diffusion bonding.
16 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing an article by diffusion bonding at least two metalwork pieces, comprising the steps of:
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(a) assembling the at least two metalwork pieces into a stack relative to each other so that the surfaces are in mating contact, (b) sealing the edges of the at least two metal workpieces together, except for an aperture where a pipe is to be inserted, joining a pipe to the stack to provide a sealed assembly, the pipe having an inner diameter, a thickness and an end, the inner diameter of the pipe being greater than twice the thickness of the pipe, joining the end of the pipe to the stack such that the axis of the pipe is arranged at an angle of at least 45°
to the axis of the aperture and the axis of the end of the pipe at the joint between the end of the pipe and the stack is arranged at an angle of at least 45°
to the axis of the aperture such that during the subsequent diffusion bonding step suck back of the pipe into the stack is substantially reduced,(c) evacuating the interior of the sealed assembly via the pipe, (d) sealing the pipe with at least one seal, (e) applying sufficient heat and pressure across the thickness of the at least two metalwork pieces to diffusion bond the at least two metalwork pieces together to form an integral structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13)
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12. A method of manufacturing an article by diffusion bonding at least two metal workpieces having edges, comprising the steps of:
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(a) assembling the at least two metal workpieces into a stack relative to each other so that the surfaces are in mating contact, (b) sealing the edges of the at least two metal workpieces together, by placing the at least two metal workpieces in a metal bag, the metal bag having an aperture, joining a pipe to the bag to provide a sealed assembly, with the pipe having an inner diameter and a thickness and with the inner diameter of the pipe being greater than twice the thickness of the pipe and wherein the pipe has an end and the end of the pipe is joined to the bag, and joining the pipe to the bag such that the axis of the pipe is arranged at an angle of at least 45°
to the axis of the aperture, and the axis of the end of the pipe at the joint between the end of the pipe and the bag is arranged at an angle of at least 45°
to the axis of the aperture such that during the subsequent diffusion bonding step suck back of the pipe into the baa is substantially reduced.(c) evacuating the interior of the sealed assembly via the pipe, (d) sealing the pipe with at least one seal, (e) applying sufficient heat and pressure across the thickness of the at least two metal workpieces to diffusion bond the at least two metal workpieces together to form an integral structure.
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Specification