Patents by Inventor Michael Philip Shemkunas

Michael Philip Shemkunas 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).

  • Publication number: 20240189936
    Abstract: A friction stir welding (FSW) tool includes a pin, a housing, and a shoulder. The pin is configured to extend through a joint line between edges of two work pieces. The pin rotates to perform a FSW process that welds the two work pieces together at the joint line. The housing is coupled to a distal end of the pin to enable rotation of the pin relative to the housing. The pin extends through a support surface of the housing. The support surface contacts respective inner surfaces of the work pieces during the FSW process. The shoulder surrounds the pin and is configured to be rotated during the FSW process. The shoulder contacts respective outer surfaces of the work pieces during the FSW process such that the work pieces are sandwiched between the shoulder and the support surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Philip Shemkunas, Scott Anthony Rose, Mario A. Reyes, Sean Michael Thuston