Patents by Inventor Brian J. Dracup

Brian J. Dracup has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Friction stir welding as a rivet replacement technology
    Patent number: 6986452
    Abstract: 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, plasticized and joined until the faying surface is substantially consumed. In another embodiment, a tee-shaped structure is formed using friction stir welding to join three panels together. A projecting part of one panel (center, vertical) provides material that becomes a contoured corner panel below two side, horizontal panels after friction stir welding is completed (FIGS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Dracup, William J. Arbegast
  • Friction stir welding as a rivet replacement technology
    Patent number: 6779707
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Dracup, William J. Arbegast
  • Friction stir welding as a rivet replacement technology
    Publication number: 20040050907
    Abstract: 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, plasticized and joined until the faying surface is substantially consumed. In another embodiment, a tee-shaped structure is formed using friction stir welding to join three panels together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Brian J. Dracup, William J. Arbegast
  • Friction stir welding as a rivet replacement technology
    Publication number: 20030116609
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Brian J. Dracup, William J. Arbegast