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Friction stir welding method and apparatus

  • US 7,156,277 B2
  • Filed: 08/23/2005
  • Issued: 01/02/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A friction stir welding (FSW) apparatus for effecting FSW of metal members lapped one on another, comprising:

  • a FSW tool having a probe and a rotator, said probe and said rotator both being made of a non-conductive material;

    an electromagnetic induction heater provided in the vicinity of, and concentrically with, said FSW tool, said electromagnetic induction heater having a structure and being arranged such that when a portion of the metal members is being stirred by said probe, heat from said electromagnetic induction heater is directed towards the portion of the metal members being stirred by said probe; and

    an electromagnetic wave shield positioned above said electromagnetic induction heater at a side of said electromagnetic induction heater that is facing away from said probe.

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