Patent ID: 8857696
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A tool for friction stir welding, comprising: a shoulder having a planar bottom face and an arcuate inner face extending substantially orthogonal to the bottom face, the shoulder having a bore defined therein extending obliquely through the shoulder and terminating in an aperture defined proximate the junction of the bottom face and the inner face, the bottom face being adapted to apply a forging load against a tubesheet and the inner face being dimensioned and configured for rotation about a tube extending through an aperture in the tubesheet; and a stir welding probe insertable into the bore in the shoulder, the probe having a pin extendable through the aperture proximate the inner face and the bottom face of the shoulder, the probe being adapted for rotation by a motorized friction stir welding apparatus, whereby rotation of the probe forms a friction weld between the tube and the tubesheet and rotation of the shoulder about the tube during welding forms a weld joint seal around the tube.