Patent ID: 7980449
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: B23K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for forming a weld joint in a workpiece, said apparatus comprising: a support assembly supporting first and second longitudinal elements, as the first and second elements are moved longitudinally to the support assembly, in abutting relation along laterally opposed facing edge surfaces which opposed edge surfaces form an intended longitudinal weld joint of the workpiece; a heating device for supplying heat to provide plasticizing of the first and second elements at least at a zone of the intended longitudinal weld joint as the first and second longitudinal elements are longitudinally moved past the heating device, so as to form a continuous longitudinal interface between the opposed facing edge surfaces of interface material in a plasticized state; an elongate mixing tool mounted downstream of the heating device so as to extend between the first and second longitudinal elements, said mixing tool extending through the plasticized interface material from a first side of the first and second longitudinal elements to a second, opposite side thereof, and said mixing tool mixing the plasticized interface material thereat as the first and second longitudinal elements are moved past said mixing tool whereby a longitudinal weld joint is formed downstream from said mixing tool; a first control means for controlling the heating device so that sufficient heat is provided at the zone to the interface material to ensure that the interface material arriving at said mixing tool is sufficiently plasticized for mixing by the mixing tool to subsequently form the longitudinal weld joint; and a second control means for controlling the mixing tool so that mixing of the plasticized interface material by said mixing tool subsequently forms the longitudinal weld joint; and wherein said support assembly includes first and second, separately controlled, containment forging plates respectively positioned on said first and second sides of the first and second longitudinal elements, said containment forging plates, as the first and second longitudinal elements are longitudinally moved between and relative to said forging plates, a) containing the moving first and second longitudinal elements during mixing by said mixing tool, and b) effecting forging of the moving first and second longitudinal elements downstream of the mixing tool, said containment forging plates each including one major surface thereof in engagement with a respective side of said first and second longitudinal elements so that the first and second longitudinal elements are contained on opposite sides thereof between said containment forging plates, and wherein said mixing tool