Joint assembly
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorEdward Simon JAMES
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joint assembly comprises an end portion of a first component that is accommodated within an end portion of a second component, with each respective first and second end portion having a corresponding first and second location feature, and an elongate resilient helical connection member. The second location feature comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, with a clamping ring accommodated within the distal portion. When the joint is assembled, the first and second location features together define an annular cavity into which is accommodated the connection member to interlock the first and second components to one another. The clamping ring is adapted to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force on the connection member.
Claims17
A joint assembly comprising:
- an end portion of a first component, comprising a first location feature on an outermost surface thereof;
- an end portion of a second component, comprising a second location feature on an innermost surface thereof, the second location feature comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion;
- an elongate, resilient, helical connection member;
- and
- a clamping ring,
- wherein the clamping ring is accommodated within the distal portion of the second location feature, the end portion of the first component is accommodated within the end portion of the second component such that the first location feature and the proximal portion of the second location feature are aligned to form an annular cavity,
- the connection member is receivable within the annular cavity to thereby interlock the first component and the second component to one another, and the clamping ring is adapted to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force on the connection member.
The method as claimed in claim 12, the second component further comprising a plurality of grub screws arranged radially around and axially aligned with the distal portion of the second location feature, and wherein step (c) comprises the steps of:
- (c1) inserting the first end portion of the first component into the first end portion of the second component such that the first location feature and the second location feature are aligned;
- and
- (c2) tightening each of the grub screws to press against the clamping ring and thereby exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force on the connection member.
A method of joining two components using a joint assembly, the joint assembly comprising an end portion of a first component, comprising a first location feature on an outermost surface thereof, an end portion of a second component, comprising a second location feature on an innermost surface thereof, the second location feature comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, an elongate, resilient, helical connection member, and a clamping ring, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting a clamping ring into the distal portion of the second location feature;
- (b) inserting the first end portion of the first component into the first end portion of the second component such that the first location feature and the second location feature are aligned;
- and
- (c) inserting an elongate, resilient, helical connection member into an annular cavity formed by the alignment of the first location feature and the proximal portion of the second location feature such that the clamping ring exerts a radially inwardly directed clamping force on the connection member.
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein step (b) further comprises twisting the connection member along its length while inserting the connection member into the annular cavity.
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein step (b) further comprises extending the connection member along its length while inserting the connection member into the annular cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.