Friction welding metal components
View Patent ↗A method of forming a structural airframe component for an aircraft and an airframe structural component are provided. The method includes placing at least two components ( 1,2 ) in abutting relationship with each other and joining them together by friction stir butt welding ( 3 ), and the structural airframe component comprises a component manufactured according to the method of the invention.
1. A structural airframe component for an aircraft including at least one friction stir butt welded joint, in which the thicknesses of the component materials being joined have different cross sections.
2. A structural airframe component as in claim 1 in which the component comprises at least two skin panels friction stir butt welded together.
3. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 2 .
4. A structural airframe component as in claim 1 in which the at least one friction stir butt welded joint joins at least two extruded integrally-stiffened wing panel sections.
5. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 4 .
6. A structural airframe component as in claim 1 in which the said weld joins a wing skin panel and one of a spar and rib.
7. A structural airframe component as in claim 6 in which a part of the said one of a spar and rib forms part of an aerodynamic profile of the wing.
8. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 7 .
9. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 6 .
10. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 1 .
11. A structural airframe component for an aircraft including at least one friction stir butt welded joint in which the at least one friction stir butt welded joint joins at least two extruded integrally-stiffened wing panel sections.
12. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 11 .
13. A structural airframe component for an aircraft including at least one friction stir butt welded joint in which the said weld joins a wing skin panel and one of a spar and rib.
14. A structural airframe component as in claim 13 in which a part of the said one of a spar and rib forms part of an aerodynamic profile of the wing.
15. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 14 .
16. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 13 .
17. A structural airframe component for an aircraft including at least one friction stir butt welded joint wherein, in the region of a said butt welded joint, the component is double curvature in form in which the thickness of material being joined varies across the weld joint.
18. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 17 .
19. A structural airframe component for an aircraft including at least one friction stir butt welded joint wherein, in the region of a said butt welded joint, the component is double curvature in form in which the at least one friction stir butt welded joint joins at least two extruded integrally-stiffened wing panel sections.
20. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 19 .
21. A structural airframe component for an aircraft including at least one friction stir butt welded joint in which the component comprises at least two skin panels friction stir butt welded together in which the at least one friction stir butt welded joint joins at least two extruded integrally-stiffened wing panel sections.
22. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 21 .
23. A structural airframe component for an aircraft including at least one friction stir butt welded joint wherein, in the region of a said butt welded joint, the component is double curvature in form in which the said weld joins a wing skin panel and one of a spar and rib.
24. A structural airframe component as in claim 23 in which a part of the said one of a spar and rib forms part of an aerodynamic profile of the wing.
25. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 24 .
26. An airframe for an aircraft including at least one structural airframe component according to claim 23 .