Patent ID: 8439250
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: B23K,B29C,B29L,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for joining a plate and a tube, the method comprising: inserting the tube into a hole, wherein the plate comprises the hole and a first region that surrounds the hole, and wherein the tube comprises a tube wall and an end face; immobilizing the tube with respect to the hole; providing a weld-tool that comprises (1) a shoulder that rotates about a first axis and (2) a pin having a first pin-portion and a second pin-portion, wherein the first pin-portion rotates about the first axis, and wherein the second pin-portion does not rotate about the first axis; placing the shoulder in physical contact with each of the end face and the first region such that the shoulder rotates against each of the end face and the first region, wherein the physical contact between the shoulder and the end face softens a first portion of the tube and the first region; inserting the pin into the tube; and intermingling material of the first portion of the tube and material of the first region.