Friction welding apparatus

• US 5,735,447 A
• Filed: 09/23/1996
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: The Safe Seal Company Incorporated (Flowserve Corporation)
• Inventors: Fix, John W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Knapp, Jeffrey T.
• Application Number:
  US08/717,857
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 228/114.5, 228/235.1, 228/2.1, 228/2.3, 228/214
• US Class Current: 228/114.5
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/1285 Portable friction welding machines

Abstract

A friction welding apparatus and a method for its use is disclosed where the apparatus includes a plurality of interchangeable components including a drive means, an actuator assembly, a support system and a control system, the combination operable to friction weld a workpiece to a valve body. The apparatus features a means to maintain a positive fluid pressure within the weld chamber during burn-off and upset phases. Such a means is provided to keep out explosive gases emitted by one of the members being welded. The apparatus features a means to maintain a positive fluid pressure within the weld chamber during burn-off and upset phases. Such a means is provided to keep out explosive gases emitted by one of the members being welded.

Claims

1. A method of friction welding a first workpiece to a second workpiece, the process being characterized by the steps of:

securing said second workpiece in a fixed, nonrotating relationship relative to said first workpiece;

placing the first workpiece in a contacting relationship relative to the second workpiece so as to create a first selected contact pressure therebetween;

establishing a weld containment chamber around said first workpiece;

rotating said first workpiece at a selected speed relative to said second workpiece so as to induce a burn-off phase and an upset phase while simultaneously maintaining positive fluid pressure within said chamber;

gradually increasing a forging pressure between said first workpiece and said second workpiece to a second selected contact pressure; and

terminating rotation of said first workpiece relative to said second workpiece.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of modifying the axial contacting force between the first workpiece and the second workpiece to a third selected pressure where said pressure is sufficient to fuse said first workpiece to said second workpiece after said step of terminating rotation of said first workpiece.