Patent ID: 8141764

Claim:
A friction stir welding system for welding a first cylindrical component to a second cylindrical component, the first cylindrical component and the second cylindrical component being arranged vertically with respect to one another and abutted at facing edges to form a horizontally extending seam, comprising: a first ring assembly positioned to support a first end of the first cylindrical component, said first ring assembly having an inner ring interconnected to an outer ring by a center ring; a second ring assembly positioned to support a second end of the first cylindrical component on one side of the seam, said second ring assembly positioned below said first ring assembly, and comprising an inner ring interconnected to an outer ring by a center ring; a third ring assembly positioned to support a first end of the second cylindrical component on a side of the seam opposite from said first ring assembly, said third ring assembly positioned below said first and second assemblies, and said third ring assembly comprising an inner ring interconnected to an outer ring by a center ring; at least one linkage that interconnects said first ring assembly to said second ring assembly; and at least one stand positioned below said ring assemblies that supports a second end of said third ring assembly.