Shimming welded interface(s) between thermoplastic components
AssigneeRohr, Inc.
InventorsSarah Lohman, Noushin Bahramshahi, Michael van Tooren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is provided for joining thermoplastic components. During this method, a skin is provided that is configured from or otherwise includes a skin fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite. A support member is provided that is configured from or otherwise includes a support member fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite. A shim is arranged at an interface between the skin and the support member. The shim is configured from or otherwise includes a shim fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite. The support member is welded to the skin through the shim at the interface.
Claims20
A method for joining thermoplastic components, comprising:
- providing a skin comprising a skin fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite;
- providing a support member comprising a support member fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite;
- arranging a shim at an interface between the skin and the support member, the shim comprising a shim fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite;
- and
- welding the support member to the skin through the shim at the interface.
A method for joining thermoplastic components for an aircraft, comprising:
- arranging a first component with a second component, the first component comprising a first fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite, the second component comprising a second fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite, and a gap between the first component and the second component at an interface between the first component and the second component;
- determining a parameter of the gap;
- selecting one of a plurality of shims based on the parameter to provide a selected shim, the selected shim comprising a shim fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite;
- arranging the selected shim between the first component and the second component at the interface;
- and
- welding the first component to the second component through the selected shim at the interface, the welding comprising vibration welding, ultrasonic welding or induction welding.
A method for joining thermoplastic component for an aircraft, comprising:
- arranging a first component with a second component, the first component comprising a first fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite, the second component comprising a second fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite, and a gap between the first component and the second component at an interface between the first component and the second component;
- determining a parameter of the gap;
- forming a shim based on the parameter, the shim comprising a shim fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite;
- arranging the shim between the first component and the second component at the interface;
- and
- welding the first component to the second component through the shim at the interface, the welding comprising vibration welding, ultrasonic welding or induction welding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.