Patent ID: 8256657
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A multi-shouldered friction stir welding tool comprising: a dual shoulder monolithic shoulder-pin unit having a pair of opposingly oriented shoulders with a pin portion of a predetermined length disposed therebetween, and a bore-hole through the pair of opposingly oriented shoulders and the pin portion, wherein each shoulder of the pair of opposingly oriented shoulders includes an end having a recess therein, wherein at least one recess being threaded; a single shoulder monolithic shoulder-pin unit having a shoulder, a pin portion, and a bore-hole through the shoulder and the pin portion, wherein the shoulder includes an end having a threaded recess therein, wherein a portion of the pin portion is threaded; a coupler having a first threaded end, a second threaded end, and a bore-hole therethrough, wherein the first threaded end being operably compatible with the threaded recess of the dual shoulder monolithic shoulder-pin unit and the second threaded end being operably compatible with the threaded recess of the single shoulder monolithic shoulder-pin unit; and a monolithic shoulder/shank unit having a shoulder and a bore-hole therethrough, wherein a portion of the bore-hole is threaded and operably compatible with the threaded portion of the pin such that an adjustable gap is formed between the shoulder of the monolithic shoulder/shank unit and the shoulder of the single shoulder monolithic shoulder-pin unit when the single shoulder monolithic shoulder-pin unit is rotated relative to the monolithic shoulder/shank unit, whereby a plurality of work pieces of same or different thicknesses can be simultaneously welded.