Patent ID: 6068044
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: B22D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making a coupling assembly comprising the steps of:providing a sleeve made of a first maternal having a first melting point, with the sleeve having a coupling interface surface;providing a mold in proximity to, but spaced apart from, the coupling interface surface, with the mold being shaped to form a coupling of a predetermined shape defined by the mold and the coupling interface surface;selecting a second material to form the coupling so that the second material has a lower melting point than the first material and so that the second material will not bond to the first material when the second material cools from a molten to a solid state in contact with the first material;providing the second material in a molten state between the mold and the coupling interface surface;cooling the second material from the molten state to form a coupling in a solid state; andafter the step of cooling the second material, removing the mold to yield the coupling assembly.