IP Library Granted Patent US 8,875,975
Granted Patent B2
US 8,875,975 · App. 13/816,399 · Granted Nov 4, 2014

Device for friction stir welding with a tension rod

Inventors: Gunter Figner (Graz, AT); Gunter Figner (Graz, AT)
Assignee: Stirzone OG
B23K20/12B23K20/126B23K37/0217
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,875,975
App. No.
13/816,399
Granted
Nov 4, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing a weld seam on work pieces by means of friction stir welding, said device having a welding head ( 5 ) with a rotating friction stir welding tool ( 4 ), the welding head being guided along the joining region and supported with respect to the work piece ( 1 ). In said device an irrecoverable tension rod ( 3 ) is provided for support, said rod being able to penetrate the welding region, being supported with its lower end on the work piece ( 1 ) in a tensioned manner, and carrying a rail ( 3 b ) on its upper end for supporting a counter piece ( 6 ) that is mechanically connected to the welding head ( 5 ) or to the friction stir welding tool ( 4 ). An additional supplementary tool ( 9 ) working, when seen in the direction of welding, in front of the friction stir welding tool ( 4 ) is provided for removing the upper section ( 3 e ) of the tension rod protruding above the welding plane from the welding region.

Claims (12)

1. A device for producing a weld seam on a work piece by means of friction stir welding, said device comprising:

a welding head with a rotating friction stir welding tool which is guided along a welding region and supported with respect to the work piece, characterized in that, for support, an irrecoverable tension rod is provided, wherein the tension rod has a lower end supporting the work piece in a tensioned manner, and wherein the tension rod has an upper end section which comprises a rail for supporting a counter piece that is mechanically connected to the welding head,

wherein a supplementary tool is provided, which works, when viewed in a direction of welding, in front of the friction stir welding tool, for removing the upper end section of the tension rod protruding above a surface of the work piece in the welding region.

2. The device of claim 1 , characterized in that the tension rod is symmetrical about a vertical plane (σ) extending in the direction of advance of the tool.

3. The device of claim 2 , characterized in that at least a portion of the tension rod is designed to form a single piece with the work piece to be welded.

4. The device of claim 1 , characterized in that the tension rod passes through the welding region.

5. The device of claim 1 , characterized in that the tension rod has a lower end section, which has a broadened foot portion.

6. The device of claim 1 , characterized in that the tension rod is substantially in a shape of a double T.

7. The device of claim 1 , characterized in that the counter piece has at least one freely rotating roller.

8. The device of claim 1 , characterized in that the supplementary tool is a rotating milling tool.

9. The device of claim 8 , characterized in that the rotating milling tool is arranged coaxially with respect to the welding head.

10. The device of claim 1 , characterized in that the supplementary tool is a saw.

Assignments (3)
MERGER Recorded Aug 6, 2015
From: FIGNER & WEINBERGER OG
To: STIRTEC GMBH
Reel/Frame 036286/0745 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 6, 2015
From: STIRZONE OG
To: FIGNER & WEINBERGER OG
Reel/Frame 036286/0872 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2013
From: FIGNER, GUNTER; FIGNER, GUNTER, MR.
To: STIRZONE OG
Reel/Frame 030059/0315 →
Priority Claims (1)
AT 1347/2010 · Aug 11, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130168436A1 · Jul 4, 2013