Shim assembly for welded interface(s) between thermoplastic components and methods thereof
AssigneeRohr, Inc.
InventorsWenping Zhao, Justin B. Alms, John J. Gangloff
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for joining thermoplastic components is provided. During the method, a first component is provided that is configured from or otherwise includes a first fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite. A second component is provided that is configured from or otherwise includes a second fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite. A shim assembly is arranged at an interface between the first component and the second component. The shim assembly comprises a shim element and an interface material. The first component is welded to the second component through the shim assembly at the interface.
Claims20
A method for joining thermoplastic components, comprising:
- providing a first component comprising a first fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite;
- providing a second component comprising a second fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite;
- arranging a shim assembly at an interface between the first component and the second component, the shim assembly comprising a shim element and an interface material;
- and
- welding the first component to the second component through the shim assembly 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;
- determining a parameter of a gap between the first component and the second component, the gap disposed at an interface between the first component and the second component;
- selecting a shim assembly based on the parameter to provide a selected shim assembly, the selected shim assembly comprising a shim element and an interface material;
- arranging the selected shim assembly between the first component and the second component at the interface;
- and
- welding the first component to the second component through the selected shim assembly at the interface, the welding comprising vibration welding, ultrasonic welding or induction welding.
A method for joining a 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;
- determining a parameter of a gap between the first component and the second component at an interface between the first component and the second component;
- providing a shim assembly based on the parameter, the shim assembly comprising a shim element and a plurality of interface materials;
- arranging the shim assembly between the first component and the second component at the interface such that a first of the plurality of interface materials is arranged between the first component and the shim element and a second of the plurality of interface materials is arranged between the second component and the shim element;
- and
- welding the first component to the second component through the shim assembly at the interface, the welding comprising vibration welding, ultrasonic welding or induction welding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.