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US 6,646,240 B2Granted
Fastening arrangements
AssigneeBritish Aerospace Public Limited Company
InventorPaul E Jarvis
Life of this patent
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AssigneeBritish Aerospace Public Limited Company
InventorPaul E Jarvis
Estimating the term…
A tool (38) secures and releases a fastening arrangement which includes a first component (10) and a second component (12) which may be releasably fastened together. Fastening is by means of a retention element (34) of shape memory material associated with the second component (12) which is reconfigurable between an open position (first and second components separated) and a closed position (first and second components fastened together). During fastening a closure element (36) urges the retention element (34) from its open position to its closed position. The tool includes a magnetic coil (44) energizable to urge the closure element (36) in a direction to cause the retention element (34) to move from its open to its closed state. The magnetic coil (44), or an additional coil, is also energizable to draw the closure element (36) away from engagement with the retention element (34). A heating coil (45) is provided for heating the retention element (34).
A tool for use in securing or releasing a fastener arrangement, said fastener arrangement having a first component and a second component, the second component including a retention element of shape memory material adapted to be deformed releasably to retain said first component and a closure element for co-operating with said retention element to deform it, said tool comprising:
A tool for use in securing or releasing a fastener arrangement, said fastener arrangement having a first component and a second component, the second component including a retention element of shape memory material adapted to be deformed releasably to retain said first component and a closure element for co-operating with said retention element to deform it, said tool comprising:
A tool for use in securing or releasing a fastener arrangement, said fastener arrangement having a first component and a second component, the second component including a retention element of shape memory material adapted to be deformed releasably to retain said first component and a closure element for co-operating with said retention element to deform it, said tool comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.