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US4803334A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for laser beam welding metal matrix composite components

Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1987-11-16
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Granted: 1989-02-07
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Expires: 2007-11-16
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Abstract

Abstract A substantially homogeneous metal matrix composite conduction weld between first and second metal matrix composite components is formed by placing the components into abutting position, with a major portion thereof spaced from each other, and directing a laser beam through the spacing onto the intersection and oscillating the beam across the intersection to form a shallow pool of metal matrix composite while feeding a metal matrix composite filler wire into the pool. The laser beam and filler wire are moved along the intersection such that solidification of the molten pool containing the filler wire metal matrix composite is effected, to form the weld line, without separation of the metal matrix composite into separate phases. The filler wire may be preheated and pressure may be applied, either to one or both components in a direction transverse the plane of the intersection or to the weld line in the direction of the plane of the intersection.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael A. Burke
  • 👤 Gerald G. Lessmann

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 22:30
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/20; B23K26/21; B23K26/24; B23K26/18; B23K26/32; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/08; B23K2103/10; B23K2103/50; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12486

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 212 words
The method of producing a conduction weld between first and second metal matrix composite components with a metal matrix composite material comprising: placing first and second metal matrix composite components into abutting relationship to form an intersection between a portion thereof along which said components are to be joined, with a major portion of said metal matrix composite components spaced from each other; directing a laser beam through said spacing in the area of said intersection and oscillating said beam across said intersection and alternately onto each of said spaced portions of said first and second components to produce a conduction weld therebetween with a shallow pool of metal matrix composite; feeding a filler wire composed of a metal matrix composite into said pool, such that the volume of the melted matrix composite material from the two components is less than the volume of the metal matrix composite added thereto; and moving said laser beam and filler wire along said intersection such that solidification of the molten pool containing said filler wire metal matrix composite is effected to form a weld line without separation of the metal matrix composite into separate phases, so as to produce a substantially homogenous metal matrix composite weld between said first and second metal matrix composite components.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 212 words
The method of producing a conduction weld between first and second metal matrix composite components with a metal matrix composite material comprising: placing first and second metal matrix composite components into abutting relationship to form an intersection between a portion thereof along which said components are to be joined, with a major portion of said metal matrix composite components spaced from each other; directing a laser beam through said spacing in the area of said intersection and oscillating said beam across said intersection and alternately onto each of said spaced portions of said first and second components to produce a conduction weld therebetween with a shallow pool of metal matrix composite; feeding a filler wire composed of a metal matrix composite into said pool, such that the volume of the melted matrix composite material from the two components is less than the volume of the metal matrix composite added thereto; and moving said laser beam and filler wire along said intersection such that solidification of the molten pool containing said filler wire metal matrix composite is effected to form a weld line without separation of the metal matrix composite into separate phases, so as to produce a substantially homogenous metal matrix composite weld between said first and second metal matrix composite components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 1 wherein said filler wire composed of said metal matrix composite is preheated prior to feeding said filler wire into said shallow pool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 45 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 2 wherein said laser beam is also directed to the end of said filler wire in said shallow pool to assist in the flow of said filler wire metal matrix composite into said intersection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 59 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 1 wherein pressure is applied to at least one of said metal matrix composite components, in the direction transverse the plane of said intersection, to force said components together across said intersection and to assist in the flow of said filler wire metal matrix composite into said intersection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 4 wherein said pressure is applied to both said metal matrix composite components.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 61 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 1 wherein pressure is applied to said weld line, in the direction of the plane of said intersection, onto the pool and filler wire fed thereto to produce said weld without extensive melting of said metal matrix composite of said components and the metal matrix composite of said filler wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 1. wherein said filler wire is composed of the same metal matrix composite material as are the first and second metal matrix composite components.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method of producing a conductive weld as defined in claim 1 wherein said filler wire is composed of a different but compatible metal matrix composite material as are the first and second metal matrix composite compounds.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 246 words
The method of producing a conduction weld between first and second metal matrix composite components with a metal matrix composite material comprising: placing first and second metal matrix composing components into abutting relationship to form an intersection between a portion thereof along which said components are to be joined, with a major portion of said metal matrix composite components spaced from each other; directing a laser beam through said spacing in the area of said intersection and oscillating said beam across said intersection and alternately onto each of said spaced portions of said first and second components to produce a conduction weld therebetween with a shallow pool of metal matrix composite; preheating a filler wire composed of a metal matrix composite; feeding said preheated filler wire into said pool, such that the volume of the melted matrix composite material from the two components is less than the volume of the metal matrix composite added thereto; applying pressure to at least one of said metal matrix composite components, in the direction transverse the plane of said intersection, to force said components together across said intersection; and moving said laser beam and filler wire along said intersection such that solidification of the molten pool containing said filler wire metal matrix composite is effected to form a weld line without separation of the metal matrix composite into separate phases, so as to produce a substantially homogenous metal matrix composite weld between said first and second metal matrix composite components.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 246 words
The method of producing a conduction weld between first and second metal matrix composite components with a metal matrix composite material comprising: placing first and second metal matrix composing components into abutting relationship to form an intersection between a portion thereof along which said components are to be joined, with a major portion of said metal matrix composite components spaced from each other; directing a laser beam through said spacing in the area of said intersection and oscillating said beam across said intersection and alternately onto each of said spaced portions of said first and second components to produce a conduction weld therebetween with a shallow pool of metal matrix composite; preheating a filler wire composed of a metal matrix composite; feeding said preheated filler wire into said pool, such that the volume of the melted matrix composite material from the two components is less than the volume of the metal matrix composite added thereto; applying pressure to at least one of said metal matrix composite components, in the direction transverse the plane of said intersection, to force said components together across said intersection; and moving said laser beam and filler wire along said intersection such that solidification of the molten pool containing said filler wire metal matrix composite is effected to form a weld line without separation of the metal matrix composite into separate phases, so as to produce a substantially homogenous metal matrix composite weld between said first and second metal matrix composite components.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 45 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 9 wherein said laser beam is also directed to the end of said filler wire in said shallow pool to assist in the flow of said filler wire metal matrix composite into said intersection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 9 wherein said pressure is applied to both said metal matrix composite components.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 9 wherein said filler wire is composed of the same metal matrix composite material as are the first and second metal matrix composite components.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 9 wherein said filler wire is composed of a different but compatible metal matrix composite material as are the first and second metal matrix composite compounds.
Claim 16
Independent Claim 239 words
The method of producing a conduction weld between first and second metal matrix composite components with a metal matrix composite material comprising: placing first and second metal matrix composite components into abutting relationship to form an intersection between a portion thereof along which said components are to be joined, with a major portion of said metal matrix composite components spaced from each other; directing a laser beam through said spacing in the area of said intersection and oscillating said beam across said intersection and alternately onto each of said spaced portions of said first and second components to produce a conduction weld therebetween with a shallow pool of metal matrix composite; preheating a filler wire composed of a metal matrix composite; feeding said preheated filer wire into said pool, such that the volume of the melted matrix composite material from the two components is less than the volume of the metal matrix composite added thereto; applying pressure to said weld line, in the direction of the plane of said intersection, onto the pool and filler wire fed thereto; moving said laser beam and filler wire along said intersection such that solidification of the molten pool containing said filler wire metal matrix composite is effected to form a weld line without separation of the metal matrix composite into separate phases, so as to produce a substantially homogenous metal matrix composite weld between said first and second metal matrix composite components.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 239 words
The method of producing a conduction weld between first and second metal matrix composite components with a metal matrix composite material comprising: placing first and second metal matrix composite components into abutting relationship to form an intersection between a portion thereof along which said components are to be joined, with a major portion of said metal matrix composite components spaced from each other; directing a laser beam through said spacing in the area of said intersection and oscillating said beam across said intersection and alternately onto each of said spaced portions of said first and second components to produce a conduction weld therebetween with a shallow pool of metal matrix composite; preheating a filler wire composed of a metal matrix composite; feeding said preheated filer wire into said pool, such that the volume of the melted matrix composite material from the two components is less than the volume of the metal matrix composite added thereto; applying pressure to said weld line, in the direction of the plane of said intersection, onto the pool and filler wire fed thereto; moving said laser beam and filler wire along said intersection such that solidification of the molten pool containing said filler wire metal matrix composite is effected to form a weld line without separation of the metal matrix composite into separate phases, so as to produce a substantially homogenous metal matrix composite weld between said first and second metal matrix composite components.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 45 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 14 wherein said laser beam is also directed to the end of said filler wire in said shallow pool to assist in the flow of said filler wire metal matrix composite into said intersection.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method of producing a conduction weld as defined in claim 14 wherein said filler wire is composed of the same metal matrix composite material as are the first and second metal matrix composite components.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method of producing a conductive weld as defined in claim 14 wherein said filler wire is composed of a different but compatible metal matrix composite material as are the first and second metal matrix composite compounds.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-02-07 1992-08-08 1993-02-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-02-07 1996-08-08 1997-02-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-02-07 2000-08-08 2001-02-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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