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Torque Control of Friction Stir Welding

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
100051 		Solicitation Year:
2010 		Solicitation Topic Code:
T9.01 		Solicitation Number:
Small Business Information
Longhurst Engineering, PLC
234 South Ewing Street Guthrie, KY 42234-9208
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Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: Torque Control of Friction Stir Welding
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX11CI39P
Award Amount: $99,998.00
 

Abstract:

Longhurst Engineering, PLC and Vanderbilt University propose the innovation of torque control of friction stir welding (FSW) as a replacement to force control of FSW. The value of the torque is significant because it indicates how far the tool is plunged into the work piece. Proper engagement of the tool into the work piece is critical for producing reliable welds.The commercialized innovation will consist of three elements. First, a FSW tool will be developed to produce a linear relationship between the welding torque and the tool's plunge depth into the work piece. Second, the welding torque will be measured from outside the welding environment via thespindle motor current, thus eliminating the need for expensive force sensors associated with force control. Third, a closed-loop architecture will be designed and implemented to control the welding torque. Torque control of FSW can be applied by NASA to increase welding reliability with the UpperStage of the Ares I launch vehicle. Torque control will also reduce capital investment and operations costs for NASA. The expected TRL is 4 at the beginning of the project and 5 at the end of Phase I.

Principal Investigator:

William R. Longhurst
Principal Investigator
6152891162
russlonghurst@comcast.net

Business Contact:

William R. Longhurst
Owner
6152891162
russlonghurst@comcast.net
Small Business Information at Submission:

Longhurst Engineering, PLC
234 South Ewing Street Guthrie, KY 42234-9208

EIN/Tax ID: 272477085
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
Vanderbilt University
2201 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37235-7749
Contact: John T. Childress