Apparatus and method for assembly of structural profiles and resultant structures
AssigneeArconic Inc.
InventorsWilliam J. Hooper, Jr., Ion-Horatiu Barbulescu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite structure has a pair of parallel aluminum extrusions bridged by a polymer cap and defining a U-shape hollow. The hollow is filled with an expandable foam that adheres to and mechanically interdigitates with the extrusions, which have channels for receiving insertion legs of the extrusions and have extensions, which the foam encapsulates. End caps may be used to further delimit the hollow. The caps and the foam have a thermal conductivity less than that of the extrusions, providing a thermal break. An upper cap may be used and may incorporate features to compensate for the foam expansion. Excess foam may be trimmed. A forked tool may be used to hold the extrusions during joining.
Claims15
A composite structure, comprising:
- a first extrusion;
- a second extrusion disposed adjacent the first extrusion with a space there between, each of the first extrusion and the second extrusion having a channel;
- a cap extending between and joining the first extrusion and the second extrusion and defining a three dimensional volume bounded by the first extrusion, the second extrusion and the cap, the cap being made from a material having a thermal conductivity less than that of the first extrusion and the second extrusion;
- and
- a foam fill at least partially filling the volume,
- wherein the cap has a pair of insertion legs extending from opposing sides of the cap, each of the pair of insertion legs extending in the same direction,
- wherein each of the channels is parallel with one of the pair of insertion legs, and
- wherein the channels open toward the cap such that each of the pair of insertion legs insert into one of the channels, the channels having extensions extending into the volume from a bottom surface of the channel distal to an opening of the channel, along a length of the channels, the extensions extending in a direction distal to an insertion leg inserted therein, the extensions extending into the foam and having indentations in a surface thereof within the volume, the foam interdigitating with the indentations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.