Patent ID: 8132708

Claim:
A method for performing circumferential stir welding comprising: providing first and second cylindrical components abutted to one another forming a seam; providing a first ring assembly positioned adjacent to a first end of the first cylindrical component and in contact with the first cylindrical component; providing a second ring assembly positioned adjacent to a second end of the first cylindrical component, said second assembly comprising an inner ring interconnected to an outer ring and the inner ring placed in contact with the first cylindrical component; providing a third ring assembly positioned adjacent to a first end of the second cylindrical component opposite from said first ring assembly, said third ring assembly comprising an inner ring interconnected to an outer ring and the inner ring placed in contact with the second cylindrical component; providing at least one linkage that interconnects the first ring assembly to the second ring assembly; orienting the first and second cylindrical components to be stacked vertically with respect to one another; providing at least one stand that supports the third ring assembly; rotating the first, second, and third ring assemblies relative to a weld assembly positioned externally of said cylindrical components that welds the first cylindrical component to the second cylindrical component by friction stir welding, wherein the weld is created horizontally to join the vertically stacked cylindrical components.