System for securing objects having different coefficients of thermal expansion

A system for securing objects having different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), the system comprising:

• a low-level CTE member having a first CTE, the low-level CTE member including an engagement surface;
• a high-level CTE member having a second CTE greater than the first CTE, the high-level CTE member including an engagement surface facing the engagement surface of the low-level CTE member;
• a compensation member positioned adjacent to the low-level CTE member and the high-level CTE member, the compensation member having a compensation CTE greater than the second CTE;
• wherein, when the system is heated, expansion of the low-level CTE member and the high-level CTE member results in an increased distance between the engagement surface of the low-level CTE member and the engagement surface of the high-level CTE member, and expansion of the compensation member maintains a secure connection between the low-level CTE member and the high-level CTE member;
• wherein the low-level CTE member includes
• a cylindrical body defining an internal cavity with a distal end of the body open to the internal cavity, and
• a journal extending away from the distal end of the cylindrical body, the journal having a sloped engagement surface and defining a through hole wherein the engagement surface of the low-level CTE member includes the sloped engagement surface of the journal;
• wherein the high-level CTE member includes
• an end bell positioned within the open distal end of the cylindrical body, the end bell defining a through hole and including a sloped engagement surface surrounding the through hole wherein the engagement surface of the high-level CTE member includes the sloped engagement surface of the end bell, and the sloped engagement surface of the journal is in contact with the sloped engagement surface of the end bell such that the through hole of the journal is aligned with the through hole of the end bell, and
• a bolt including a head and a shaft extending from the head, the shaft extending through the through hole of the journal and through the through hole of the end bell, the shaft terminating in an end positioned within the internal cavity of the cylindrical body;
• wherein the compensation member is positioned around the shaft of the bolt and operably connected to the end bell and the end of the shaft of the bolt such that the bolt and the compensation member maintain a secure connection between the sloped engagement surface of the journal and the sloped engagement surface of the end bell;
• and
• wherein, when the system is heated, expansion of the bolt results in an increased distance between the end of the shaft of the bolt and the end bell, and expansion of the compensation member maintains the secure connection between the sloped engagement surface of the journal and the sloped engagement surface of the end bell.