US 12,337,409 B2
Friction stir welding apparatus and method
Xiaochao Liu, Nanjing (CN); Zhonghua Ni, Nanjing (CN); Jingyue Luo, Nanjing (CN); Xianjun Pei, Nanjing (CN); and Yongzhe Li, Nanjing (CN)
Assigned to SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY, Nanjing (CN)
Filed by SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY, Nanjing (CN)
Filed on Nov. 13, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/945,601.
Application 18/945,601 is a continuation of application No. PCT/CN2023/084308, filed on Mar. 28, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 202211131055.7 (CN), filed on Sep. 15, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2025/0065437 A1, Feb. 27, 2025
Int. Cl. B23K 20/12 (2006.01); B23K 20/26 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 20/125 (2013.01) [B23K 20/26 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A friction stir welding apparatus comprising:
a stirring bar provided with a first through-hole;
a clamping mechanism;
a welding machine main shaft;
a supporting carriage;
a cooling system;
a coolant tank;
a guide rail; and
a guide pipe,
wherein
the cooling system is connected with an outer surface of the welding machine main shaft through a sealed bearing;
the clamping mechanism is connected with the welding machine main shaft;
the clamping mechanism clamps a first end of the stirring bar;
a second end of the stirring bar penetrates through a welded workpiece to fit with the supporting carriage;
the guide rail is set below the supporting carriage;
the guide pipe comprises a first guide pipe and a second guide pipe;
a first end of the first guide pipe is connected with an outlet of the coolant tank, and a second end of the first guide pipe is connected with an inlet of the cooling system;
a first end of the second guide pipe is connected with a cooling liquid outlet of the supporting carriage and a second end of the second guide pipe is connected with an inlet of the coolant tank;
the cooling system, the welding machine main shaft, the clamping mechanism, the stirring bar, the supporting carriage and the coolant tank are sequentially communicated to form a cooling liquid circulation circuit;
the supporting carriage comprises a frame mechanism, an upper rotary supporting structure and a lower rotary supporting structure, wherein the upper rotary supporting structure and the lower rotary supporting structure are located on the frame mechanism;
the upper rotary supporting structure and the lower rotary supporting structure are coaxially set;
an inner side of the upper rotary supporting structure is in clearance fit with the stirring bar;
an upper surface of the lower rotary supporting structure is in contact with a lower end surface of the stirring bar;
the supporting carriage is further provided with a third through-hole, wherein the third through-hole vertically penetrates through the supporting carriage;
the third through-hole is set in a center of the supporting carriage;
the third through-hole is in communication with the first through-hole of the stirring bar, and a bottom end of the third through-hole forms the cooling liquid outlet of the supporting carriage; and
the supporting carriage moves in synchronization with the stirring bar through the guide rail.