APPARATUS FOR FRICTION STIR WELDING

• US 20120248174A1
• Filed: 04/02/2012
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum FüR Material- und Kã¼Stenforschung GmbH
• Original Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum Fur Material-Und Kustenforschung GmbH
• Inventors: dos Santos, Jorge F., Hilgert, Jakob
• Granted Patent: US 8,893,951 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 228/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/122 using a non-consumable tool, e.g. friction stir welding
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/126 Workpiece support, i.e. backing or clamping

Abstract

Shown and described is an apparatus (1) for friction stir welding with a pin (3) which can be driven in a rotating manner and has a drive end (11) and a free end (13), wherein between the drive end (11) and the free end (13) there is provided a cylindrical engaging portion (15), with a first shoulder element (5), which is arranged on the side of the engaging portion (15) that is facing the drive end (11) concentrically around the pin (3) with respect to the axis of rotation (9) and which has a first bearing surface (19), facing the engaging portion (15) and extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (9), and with a second shoulder element (7), which is arranged on the side of the engaging portion (15) that is facing the free end (13) concentrically around the pin (3) with respect to the axis of rotation (9) and which has a second bearing surface (29), facing the engaging portion (15) and extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (9). The object of providing an apparatus (1) for friction stir welding with which the mechanical and thermal loading of the pin (3) and the thermal loading of the workpieces are reduced is achieved by the second shoulder element (7) being connected to the pin (3) freely rotatably about the axis of rotation (9).

Claims

1. An apparatus for friction stir welding, said apparatus comprising:

a pin configured to be driven in a rotating manner about an axis of rotation and including a drive end and a free end,

wherein between the drive end and the free end a cylindrical engaging portion is provided, with the engaging portion extending axially in the direction of the axis of rotation, and including a circumferential surface configured for engagement with one or more workpieces;

a first shoulder element arranged on a side of the engaging portion that is adjacent the drive end and is arranged concentrically around the pin with respect to the axis of rotation,

said first shoulder element including a first bearing surface that faces the engaging portion and extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation; and

a second shoulder element arranged on a side of the engaging portion that is adjacent the free end and is arranged concentrically around the pin with respect to the axis of rotation,

said second shoulder element including a second bearing surface that faces the engaging portion and extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation,

wherein the second bearing surface extends to the engaging portion,

wherein the first shoulder element and the second shoulder element are configured to bear against opposite, respective first and second surfaces of the one or more workpieces,

wherein the second shoulder element is connected to the pin so as to be freely rotatable relative thereto about the axis of rotation.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the pin is connected to the second shoulder element in an axially adjustable manner.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the second shoulder element includes a second annular intermediate piece of ceramic material provided in the second bearing surface,

wherein the second intermediate piece surrounds the engaging portion.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the second shoulder element comprises a sleeve extending radially to the axis of rotation and a cylindrical side wall extending parallel to the axis of rotation,

wherein the second bearing surface is formed in the bottom surface.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4,

wherein the free end of the pin is surrounded by a cylindrical carrier, which is adjustable in the axial direction of the pin,

wherein the sleeve is mounted rotatably on the carrier.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5,

wherein the free end of the pin is provided with a thread,

wherein the carrier is configured to be screwed onto the free end.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4,

wherein a ball bearing is provided between the side wall and the free end of the pin.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5,

wherein the carrier has a threaded bore extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation for receiving a fixing screw,

wherein a bore aligned coaxially in relation to the threaded bore is formed in the side wall of the sleeve.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1

wherein the pin is fixedly connected to the first shoulder element.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9,

wherein the pin is formed in one piece with the first shoulder element.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the pin is connected to the first shoulder element so as to be freely rotatable relative thereto about the axis of rotation.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11,

wherein the first shoulder element includes a first annular intermediate piece of ceramic material,

wherein the first intermediate piece surrounds the engaging portion.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11,

wherein the pin is connected to the first shoulder element in an axially displaceable manner.