Systems and methods for internal thread forming in composite materials

Abstract

Systems for defining an internally threaded bore in a composite material component include one or more thread forming tools each defining a thread forming portion and a locating fixture configured to hold the one or more thread forming tools in a predetermined configuration defining a pattern of internally threaded bores to be provided in the composite material component. The thread forming portions include a plurality of thread forming surfaces each defining a pitch, a crest fillet radius, and a root fillet radius, and define internally threaded bores having an interior helical thread defining a plurality of full crest radii and a plurality of full root radii. A component forming fixture is provided for abutting the locating fixture whereby the one or more thread forming tools are held in an interior of the forming fixture. Methods for forming composite material components having internally threaded bores using the described systems are described.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.