Method of joining components of an aircraft structure
AssigneeAirbus Operations GmbH
InventorsChristopher Alan BATE, Tim JONES
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Two components of an aircraft structure are joined by providing a threaded opening in one of them and supporting an alignment insert in that opening. The alignment insert is used to guide drilling of the second component such that a hole is produced which is aligned with the threaded opening, for instance using an alignment projection which physically guides a drill. The alignment insert may then be removed. A fastener is then inserted through that hole and into the threaded opening, then tightened to form the completed joint.
Claims20
A method of joining first and second components of an aircraft structure, comprising:
- providing a threaded opening in the first component;
- attaching an alignment insert to the threaded opening;
- locating the second component in a required position relative to the first component;
- using the alignment insert to guide drilling of a hole in the second component;
- and
- inserting a threaded fastener through the hole in the second component and into the threaded opening, and tightening the fastener to join the first and second components.
A method of attaching a first part of an aircraft structure to a second part of an aircraft structure, the method comprising:
- providing a female set of threads on the first part;
- mounting a drill guide to the female set of threads;
- introducing the second part to the first part;
- drilling a hole in the second part, in a position determined by the drill guide;
- inserting a joining member with a male set of threads into the female set of threads through the hole in the second part;
- and
- tightening the joining member to clamp the first and second parts together.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.