Patent ID: 8689422

Claim:
A method for welding together a first component formed of a first material and a second component formed of a second material having a plurality of cavities each of which extend through the second component, comprising: positioning an aluminum sheet comprising a plurality of embedded pre-formed securing plugs in relation to the second component such that the embedded pre-formed securing plugs align with corresponding ones of the plurality of cavities, each of the embedded pre-formed securing plugs comprising a protrusion and a plurality of cutouts defining a periphery of the embedded pre-formed securing plugs; using a swaging force to separate the embedded pre-formed securing plugs from the aluminum sheet, and to mechanically deform the pre-formed securing plugs in accordance with both a top surface of the first component and a portion of the second component surrounding the corresponding cavity; and directing an amount of energy at any location of a top portion of each of the securing plugs, the amount of energy being sufficient to fuse at least some of the securing plug and at least some of the first portion of the first component without substantially affecting the integrity of the second component.