Rework system for composite structures
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDavid Jonathan Gordon, Catalin T. Vrinceanu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for reworking a composite structure. A fastener is cooled from a first temperature to a second temperature at which a diameter of a post of the fastener is reduced by a desired amount. The post of the fastener is placed into a channel in a bushing such that a desired interference fit occurs when the fastener is at the first temperature. The bushing with the fastener is positioned in a hole in the composite structure. A gap is present between an outer surface of the bushing and an inner surface of the hole. A gap is also present between an end of the bushing and a second structure.
Claims20
A system for reworking a composite structure comprising:
- a fastener having a post with a first diameter at a first temperature that is greater than a second diameter at a second temperature;
- a bushing having a channel configured to receive the post, wherein the fastener and the bushing have a desired interference fit when the fastener is at the first temperature;
- and
- a cooling system configured to cool the fastener from the first temperature to the second temperature, wherein the bushing with the fastener is positioned in a hole of the composite structure with a gap between the bushing and the composite structure to rework the composite structure.
A fastener system comprising:
- a fastener having a post with a first diameter at a first temperature that is greater than a second diameter at a second temperature;
- a bushing having a channel configured to receive the post, wherein the fastener and the bushing have a desired interference fit when the fastener is at the first temperature;
- and
- a cooling system configured to cool the fastener from the first temperature to the second temperature, wherein the bushing with the fastener is positioned in a hole of a composite structure with a gap between the bushing and the composite structure to rework the composite structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.