Welding method and apparatus

1. A welding apparatus for welding a work-piece, the welding apparatus comprising:

an energy source configured to generate a weld in a zone of the work-piece, wherein the work-piece is characterized by a layer;

a first wheel characterized by a first circumference and having a first set of protrusions disposed on the first circumference, the first wheel being configured to rotate relative to the work-piece; and

a second wheel characterized by a second circumference and having a second set of protrusions disposed on the second circumference, the second wheel being configured to rotate relative to the work-piece;

wherein:

the first and second sets of protrusions are configured to disrupt the layer as the work-piece is traversed between the first and second wheels; and

the energy source generates the weld in the zone of the work-piece following the disruption of the layer.

2. The welding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second wheels is configured to vibrate at a predetermined frequency.

3. The welding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined frequency is in the range of approximately 20-40 KHz.

4. The welding apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to regulate the traversal of the work-piece between the first and second wheels and regulate the energy source to generate the weld.

5. The welding apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a fixture configured to move the work-piece relative to the first and second wheels such that the first and second wheels are caused to rotate relative to the work-piece, wherein the controller regulates the fixture.

6. The welding apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a mechanism configured to rotate at least one of the first and second wheels such that the work-piece is caused to traverse relative to the first and second wheels, wherein the controller regulates the mechanism.

7. The welding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy source is configured as one of a laser beam, an electron beam, a plasma beam, a welding arc, and a hybrid energy source.

8. The welding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the work-piece includes adjacent substrates that contact at an interface, the zone is formed at the interface, and wherein at least one of the substrates is formed from one of a ferrous and a non-ferrous material.

9. The welding apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the layer includes an oxide coating disposed on the surface of at least one of the adjacent substrates.

10. The welding apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the layer includes material contaminants disposed on the surface of at least one of the adjacent substrates.

11. A method of welding a work-piece, the method comprising:

traversing the work-piece between a first wheel and a second wheel, wherein the work-piece includes a zone characterized by a layer, the first wheel is characterized by a first circumference and has a first set of protrusions disposed on the first circumference, the first wheel being configured to rotate relative to the work-piece, and wherein the second wheel is characterized by a second circumference and has a second set of protrusions disposed on the second circumference, the second wheel being configured to rotate relative to the work-piece;

disrupting the layer of the work-piece by the first and second sets of protrusions as the work-piece is traversed between the first and second wheels; and

generating a weld in the zone of the work-piece by an energy source following the disruption of the layer.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said disrupting the layer is accomplished via vibrating at least one of the first and second wheels at a predetermined frequency.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined frequency is in the range of approximately 20-40 KHz.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising regulating the traversal of the work-piece between the first and second wheels and regulating the energy source to generate the weld via a controller.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising moving the work-piece relative to the first and second wheels via a fixture such that the first and second wheels are caused to rotate relative to the work-piece, wherein the controller regulates the fixture.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising rotating at least one of the first and second wheels such that the work-piece is caused to traverse relative to the first and second wheels via a mechanism, wherein the controller regulates the mechanism.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the energy source is configured as one of a laser beam, an electron beam, a plasma beam, a welding arc, and a hybrid energy source.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the work-piece includes adjacent substrates, the zone includes an interface between the adjacent substrates, and wherein at least one of the substrates is formed from one of a ferrous and a non-ferrous material.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the layer includes at least one of an oxide coating and material contaminants disposed on the surface of at least one of the adjacent substrates.

20. A welding apparatus for welding a work-piece, the welding apparatus comprising:

an energy source configured to generate a weld in a zone of the work-piece, wherein the work-piece is characterized by a layer;

a first wheel characterized by a first circumference and having a first set of protrusions disposed on the first circumference, the first wheel being configured to rotate relative to the work-piece;

a second wheel characterized by a second circumference and having a second set of protrusions disposed on the second circumference, the second wheel being configured to rotate relative to the work-piece; and

a controller configured to regulate the apparatus;

wherein:

the first and second sets of protrusions are configured to disrupt the layer as the work-piece is traversed between the first and second wheels;

the energy source generates the weld in the zone of the work-piece following the disruption of the layer;

at least one of the first and second wheels is configured to vibrate at a predetermined frequency; and

the controller regulates the traversal of the work-piece between the first and second wheels and regulates the energy source to generate the weld.