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US 10,704,584 B2Granted
Process for joining fiber composite materials using self-piercing rivets
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsAindrea McKelvey Campbell, Garret Sankey Huff, Amanda Kay Freis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for joining fiber composite materials using self-piercing rivets. The process includes contacting first and second panels. The second panel is a fiber composite material. The process further includes elevating a temperature of only a fastening portion of the second panel. The process also includes placing the first and second panels on a die and joining the first and second panels with one or more rivets while the fastening portion is at an elevated temperature.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- contacting first and second panels, the second panel being a fiber composite material, the first panel having first and second surfaces, the second panel having first and second surfaces, the second surface of the first panel contacting the first surface of the second panel;
- while the first and second panels are contacting each other, elevating a temperature of a fastening portion of the second panel from a heat source spaced apart from the second panel, the second surface of the second panel positioned adjacent to the heat source;
- and
- while the fastening portion is at the elevated temperature and the first and second panels are contacting each other, placing the first and second panels on a die and joining the first and second panels with one or more rivets.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- contacting first and second panels, the second panel being a fiber composite material, the first panel having first and second surfaces, the second panel having first and second surfaces, the second surface of the first panel contacting the first surface of the second panel;
- while the first and second panels are contacting each other, elevating a temperature of a fastening portion of the second panel from a heat source spaced apart from the second panel, the second surface of the second panel positioned adjacent to the heat source;
- and
- after the elevating step, placing the first and second panels on a die and joining the first and second panels with one or more rivets.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- contacting first and second panels, the second panel being a carbon or glass fiber composite material, the first panel having first and second surfaces, the second panel having first and second surfaces, the second surface of the first panel contacting the first surface of the second panel;
- while the first and second panels are contacting each other, elevating a temperature of a fastening portion of the second panel from a heat source spaced apart from the second panel, the second surface of the second panel positioned adjacent to the heat source;
- and
- while the fastening portion is at the elevated temperature and the first and second panels are contacted, placing the first and second panels on a die and joining the first and second panels with one or more rivets.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.