Method for metallically connecting rods by oscillating friction welding

• US 7,267,258 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2005
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: voestalpine Schienen GmbH (Voestalpine AG)
• Original Assignee: voestalpine Schienen GmbH (Voestalpine AG)
• Inventors: Pfeiler, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): KERNS, KEVIN P
• Application Number:
  US11/092,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20050224559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 228/112.1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/26 Railway- or like rails
• CPC Class Codes: E01B 29/42 Undetachably joining or fastening track components in or on the track, e.g. by welding, by gluing; Pre-assembling track components by gluing; Sealing joints with filling components E01B31/26 takes precedence; independent heating means E01B31/18; welding in general B23K; gluing metal parts in general F16B11/00

Abstract

The process for metallically connecting the faces of rods. Axially normal dressing at least two rod free ends, then placing the cross sectional surfaces of the rod free ends one against another under pressure. Oscillating the two rod free ends in the opposite direction to one another, whereby frictional heat is generated on the contact surfaces of the rod free ends. Further, when the conditions for a metallic connection are met, the rod free ends are axially aligned and the pressurization of the cross sectional areas is increased. Resulting in the rod free ends being connected to one another over the entire surface. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. A process for metallically connecting the faces of rods comprising:

axially normal dressing at least two rod free ends,

placing the cross sectional surfaces of the at least two rod free ends one against another under pressure; and

oscillating the at least two rod free ends in directions opposite one another, such that a bending of the at least two rod free ends occurs;

whereby frictional heat is generated on the contact surfaces of the at least two rod free ends such that when the conditions for a metallic connection are met, the at least two rod free ends are axially aligned, the pressurization of the cross sectional areas is increased and the at least two rod free ends are connected to one another over the entire surface.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the rods are profiled rods.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the process for the metallically connecting the at least two rod free ends of the rods is by friction welding.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein rods are rails.

5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the relative movement between the at least two rod free ends is carried out in an orbitally circulating manner.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the relative movement between the at least two rod free ends is carried out in an elliptical manner.

7. The process according to claim 1, wherein at least two rods are secured in at least one stationary holder, and the at least two rod free ends of the two rods are respectively bent in the opposite direction by the moving devices and moved in an orbital circulating movement in the opposite direction at the same angular velocity.

8. The process according to claim 1, wherein the two rods are clamped in at least one stationary holder axially aligned that have the same spacing from the respective rod free end cross sectional surfaces.

9. The process according to claim 1, wherein a heat treatment process of the at least two rod free ends is superimposed on the process for metallically connecting the at least two rod free ends of at least two rods.

10. An apparatus for metallically connecting at least two elements, the apparatus comprising:

a pressure device having at least two stationary holders structured and arranged to axially align the at least two elements and to exert pressure between free ends of the at least two elements; and

a moving device structured and arranged to move the free ends in an oscillating manner in directions opposite one another while under pressure from said pressure device such that a bending of the free ends occurs.

11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the at least two elements are rods.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein the at least two rods are profiled rods.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein for the metallically connecting of the rods is by friction welding.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein the at least two rods are at least two rails.

15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said moving device circulates in an orbitally circulating manner.

16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said moving device circulates in an elliptical manner.

17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein the at least two rods are fixed in said stationary holder;

and the rod free ends are bent in the opposite direction towards one another by said moving device, such that the at least two rods move in an orbital manner via said moving device in the opposite direction at approximately the same angular velocity.

18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein the at least two rods are respectively secured in said stationary holder with approximately the same spacing from the respective cross sectional surfaces of the rod.

19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said moving device moves the free ends of the elements in an oscillating manner in an opposite direction to one another such that a frictional heat is generated on the free end surfaces;

said pressure device applies pressure to the axially aligned elements and the elements are connected to one another over the entire cross sectional surfaces of the free end of the elements.

20. A process for metallically connecting the faces of profiled rods comprising:

axially normal dressing at least two profiled rod free ends,

placing the cross sectional surfaces of the at least two profiled rod free ends one against another under pressure; and

oscillating the at least two profiled rod free ends in directions opposite one another, such that a bending of the at least two profiled rod free ends occurs and the cross sectional surfaces remain essentially parallel through their oppositely directed bending;

whereby frictional heat is generated on the contact surfaces of the at least two profiled rod free ends such that when the conditions for a metallic connection are met, the at least two profiled rod free ends are axially aligned, the pressurization of the cross sectional areas is increased and the at least two profiled rod free ends are connected to one another over the entire surface.