Patent ID: 7891535
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A method of making a tailored blank comprising the following steps performed in the order listed: (a) placing a first plate in contact with a second plate at a substantially right angle with respect to each other, the first plate having a pair of mutually parallel side faces having the same shape and a bottom face, and the second plate having a pair of side faces, a bottom face, an end face disposed orthogonal to the bottom face of the second plate, and an angled face disposed at an oblique angle relative to the bottom and contact faces of the second plate, wherein the end face of the second plate contacts a portion of one side face of the first plate while the bottom faces of the first and second plates are coplanar and adjoin each other; (b) linear friction welding the first and second plates structural members together at an interface of the end face of the second plate and the portion of the one side face of the first plate to form an intersection comprising a T- or L-shaped joining surface formed by the adjoining bottom faces of the first and second plates; (c) linear friction welding the entire T- or L-shaped joining surface of the intersection to a first portion of a surface of a base member by reciprocating motion of said intersection, said surface of the base member having an area greater than the area of the T- or L-shaped joining surface of the intersection; (d) placing a third plate in contact with the second plate and the base member, the third plate having a pair of substantially right trapezoidal side faces, a bottom face and an angled face disposed at an oblique angle relative to the bottom face of the third plate, wherein the bottom face of the third plate contacts the base member and adjoins the bottom face of the second plate, while the angled face of the third plate contacts the angled face of the second plate; and (e) concurrently linear friction welding the bottom face and the angled face of the third plate to a second portion of the surface of the base member and to the angled face of the second plate respectively, the first and second portions of the surface of the base member adjoining each other.