Clamping method and apparatus
First Claim
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;
second means for biasing the second plunger away from the second chassis portion with a second force; and
an adjuster, associated with the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion, wherein the adjuster includes a shank and a receiver, coupled to the shank; and
wherein;
the second chassis portion is movable relative to the first chassis portion to adjust a distance between the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion, andthe first force and the second force are inversely proportional to the distance between the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
56 Citations
20 Claims
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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:
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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; second means for biasing the second plunger away from the second chassis portion with a second force; and an adjuster, associated with the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion, wherein the adjuster includes a shank and a receiver, coupled to the shank; and
wherein;the second chassis portion is movable relative to the first chassis portion to adjust a distance between the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion, and the first force and the second force are inversely proportional to the distance between the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. 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:
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a chassis, comprising a first chassis portion and a second chassis portion, adjustably movable relative to the first chassis portion, wherein the first chassis portion comprises a fixed shoulder facing in the first direction along the surface, wherein the first chassis portion comprises a flange extending in the first direction along the surface, and wherein the flange comprises an aperture in visual communication with the fixed shoulder, such that the shoulder is visible through the aperture when viewed along a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction and to the surface; 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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A machine 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 machine comprising:
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the surface; a first apparatus, located on the surface, the first apparatus comprising; a first chassis, comprising 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; second means for biasing the second plunger away from the second chassis portion with a second force; and a first adjuster, associated with the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion, wherein the first adjuster comprises a first shank and a first receiver, coupled to the first shank; and
wherein;the second chassis portion is movable relative to the first chassis portion to adjust a distance between the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion, and the first force and the second force are inversely proportional to the distance between the first chassis portion and the second chassis portion; and a second apparatus, located on the surface, the second apparatus comprising; a second chassis, including a third chassis portion and a fourth chassis portion, adjustably movable relative to the third chassis portion; a third plunger, movable relative to the third chassis portion; third means for biasing the third plunger away from the fourth chassis portion with a third force; a fourth plunger, movable relative to the third chassis portion; fourth means for biasing the fourth plunger away from the fourth chassis portion with a fourth force; and a second adjuster, associated with the third chassis portion and the fourth chassis portion, wherein the second adjuster comprises a second shank and a second receiver, coupled to the second shank; and
wherein;the fourth chassis portion is movable relative to the third chassis portion to adjust a distance between the third chassis portion and the fourth chassis portion, and the third force and the fourth force are inversely proportional to the distance between the third chassis portion and the fourth chassis portion. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification