Patent ID: 6346684
Filing Date: 2002-02-12
Classification: B23K,B62D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of welding tubular hydroformed members, comprising:hydroforming first and second tubular metal blanks to form respective first and second tubular members, each member being constructed of a first metallic material and each having an exterior surface portion; providing at least one welding material member carried in a predetermined arrangement by a flexible carrier sheet, each said welding material member being constructed of an electrically conductive metallic welding material capable of bonding in weld-forming relation with said first metallic material and having a greater electrical resistance and a lower melting point than said first metallic material, the flexible carrier sheet being made of an electrically nonconductive material; positioning the first and second tubular hydroformed members and the carrier sheet so that each said welding material member is disposed in current transmitting relation between the exterior surface portions of the first and second tubular hydroformed members to be welded together; and applying an electrical current and forces across said first and second tubular hydroformed members such that the applied current flows through said surfaces and each said welding material member disposed therebetween so as to melt each said welding material member and thereby weld said exterior surface portions to one another.