Self-locking composite-composite joints
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorsMark R. Gurvich, Kevin P. Walsh, Michael Maynard, Kenneth C. Crawford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a fastener free joining system, includes, a first tubular shell-type component having a first plurality of teeth defined in a first free end, each tooth extending along a respective tooth axis oblique to an axis of the first component by an angle α. The first plurality of teeth is configured to engage with a plurality of complimentary teeth defined in a second free end of a second tubular shell-type component, such that, when engaged, the first plurality of teeth is configured to remain engaged with the plurality of complimentary teeth under axial load.
Claims20
A fastener free joining system, comprising:
- a first tubular shell-type component having a first plurality of teeth defined in a first free end, each tooth extending along a respective tooth axis oblique to an axis of the first component by an angle α, the first plurality of teeth configured to engage with a plurality of complimentary teeth defined in a second free end of a second tubular shell-type component, such that, when engaged, the first plurality of teeth are configured to remain engaged with the plurality of complimentary teeth under axial load.
A system, comprising:
- a first tubular component defining a first axis and having a first plurality of teeth defined in a first free end thereof, each tooth extending along a respective tooth axis angled oblique to the first axis by an angle α;
- and
- a second tubular component defining a second axis and having a second plurality of teeth defined in a second free end thereof, each tooth extending along a respective tooth axis angled oblique to the second axis by the angle α,
- wherein the second plurality of teeth are complimentary to the first plurality of teeth and configured to engage with the first plurality of teeth to join the first component and the second components coaxially to form a joint therebetween such that, when engaged, the first component and second component remain engaged under axial load.
A method, comprising,
- forming a first tubular component defining a first axis and having a first plurality of teeth defined in a first free end thereof, each tooth extending along a respective tooth axis angled oblique to the first axis by an angle α;
- forming a second tubular component defining a second axis and having a second plurality of teeth defined in a second free end thereof, each tooth extending along a respective tooth axis angled oblique to the second axis by the angle α, the second plurality of teeth complimentary to the first plurality of teeth;
- and
- engaging the first plurality of teeth with the second plurality of teeth to join the first component and the second component coaxially to form a joint therebetween such that, when engaged, the first component and second component remain engaged under axial load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.