Stress reducing fastener assembly
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorKrzysztof D. Kopanski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of coupling a first structure to a second structure includes providing a first bushing within an opening in an upper surface of the first structure, without the first bushing extending into a second opening in the second structure. The method further includes providing an inner opening of the first bushing which defines an inner diameter, and providing a fastener at least partially within the first bushing and at least partially within the second opening. An outer surface of the fastener defines an outer diameter. The first bushing and the fastener are configured such that a space between the outer surface of the fastener and the inner opening of the first bushing defines a gap dimensioned to increase in a direction away from the upper surface of the first structure.
Claims13
A method of coupling a first structure to a second structure, comprising:
- providing a first bushing within an opening in an upper surface of the first structure without the first bushing extending into a second opening in the second structure, an inner opening of the first bushing defining an inner diameter;
- and
- providing a fastener at least partially within the first bushing and at least partially within the second opening, an outer surface of the fastener defining an outer diameter, the first bushing and the fastener being configured such that a space between the outer surface of the fastener and the inner opening of the first bushing defines a gap dimensioned to increase in a direction away from the upper surface of the first structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.