Inventors:
Paul T. Higgins - Houston TX, US
Barry Wayne Struthers - Houston TX, US
Rod W. Shampine - Houston TX, US
Jeremy Peterson - Cedar Hills UT, US
Rodney Dale Fleck - Mansfield TX, US
Russell J. Steel - Salem UT, US
Scott M. Packer - Alpine UT, US
International Classification:
B23K 20/12, B23K 20/26
Abstract:
A system and method for providing a mandrel that can be used to react the loads that are created by a friction stir joining tool as it performs friction stir joining of tubulars, the mandrel selected from a disposable mandrel, a partially disposable mandrel, a reusable mandrel, and a mandrel that is partially disposable and partially reusable.