초록 ▼

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for joining aluminum allow panels (eg. 2090-T83 aluminum lithium alloy). The method preliminarily positions two panels and skin panels next to each other so that a stringer panel overlaps a skin panel. A friction stir weld pin tool pene

The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for joining aluminum allow panels (eg. 2090-T83 aluminum lithium alloy). The method preliminarily positions two panels and skin panels next to each other so that a stringer panel overlaps a skin panel. A friction stir weld pin tool penetrates through one panel and at least partially into another panel. The panel material around the pin tool is frictionally heated.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An air frame comprising:(a) a plurality of connected panels of aluminum alloy; and(b) a plurality of lap welds that connect the panels together with a friction stir welding tool that fully penetrates one panel and partially penetrates another panel, at least a plurality of said lap welds being fr

1. An air frame comprising:(a) a plurality of connected panels of aluminum alloy; and(b) a plurality of lap welds that connect the panels together with a friction stir welding tool that fully penetrates one panel and partially penetrates another panel, at least a plurality of said lap welds being friction stir welds at overlapping surface portions of the respective connected panels; and(c) wherein the overlapping surface portions define a faying surface that is substantially consumed by the friction stir welds and that is substantially free of any cold lap defect. 2. The air frame of claim 1 wherein at least some of the panels are stringer panels. 3. The air frame of claim 1 wherein at least some of the panels are flat panels. 4. The air frames of claim 1 wherein the air frame panels are aluminum lithium alloy panels. 5. The air frame of claim 1 wherein the welds are lap shear joints. 6. The air frame of claim 1 wherein some of the panels are stringer stiffened panels. 7. A fuel tank apparatus comprising:(a) a plurality of connected fuel tank panels of aluminum alloy;(b) a plurality of lap welds that connect the fuel tank panels together at first and second overlapping panel surface portions with a friction stir welding tool that fully penetrates one panel and partially penetrates another panel, at least a plurality of said lap welds being friction stir welds;(c) said first and second overlapping panel surface portions define a faying surface that is substantially consumed by the friction stir welds and that is substantially free of any cold lap defect. 8. The fuel tanks of claim 7 wherein at least some of the panels are flat panels. 9. The fuel tanks of claim 7 wherein the fuel tank panels are aluminum lithium alloy panels. 10. The fuel tanks of claim 7 wherein the welds are lap shear joints. 11. The method of claim 7 wherein the fuel tank panel that is fully penetrated is of any geometry including flat. 12. The method of claim 7 wherein neither of the panels presents a partial thickness recess at the overlapping portions. 13. The fuel tank apparatus comprising:(a) a plurality of connected fuel tank panels of aluminum alloy;(b) a plurality of lap welds that connect the fuel tank panels together at first and second overlapping panel surface portions with a friction stir welding tool that fully penetrates one panel and partially penetrates another panel, at least a plurality of said lap welds being friction stir welds;(c) said first and second overlapping panel surface portions define a faying surface that is substantially consumed by the friction stir welds; and(d) wherein at least some of the panels are stringer panels. 14. The fuel tanks of claim 13 wherein some of the fuel tank panels are stringer stiffened panels. 15. A fuel tank apparatus comprising:(a) a plurality of connected fuel tank panels of aluminum alloy;(b) a plurality of lap welds that connect the fuel tank panels together at first and second overlapping panel surface portions with a friction stir welding tool that fully penetrates one panel and partially penetrates another panel, at least a plurality of said lap welds being friction stir welds;(c) said first and second overlapping panel surface portions define a faying surface that is substantially consumed by the friction stir welds; and(d) wherein the fuel tank panel that is partially penetrated is of a geometry that is not flat.