Composite tensioning members and method for manufacturing same
AssigneeAir Logistics Corporation
InventorRobbie J. Sjostedt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite tension member. The composite tension member is assembled from a number of composite rods, each having two ends. A wedge plug is formed around the ends of the composite rods. The wedge plugs are inserted into termination fitting having a termination fitting body with an aperture at a proximal end for receipt of the bundle of composite rods and having an internal cavity that flares outwardly from a proximal end to a distal end to closely receive the wedge plug with the composite rods imbedded therein. A closeout nut is used to retain the wedge plug in the termination fitting body. The invention further provides method of manufacturing composite tension members.
Claims23
A composite tension member, comprising:
- a plurality of composite rods arranged in a generally parallel orientation in a bundle, each bundle having two ends;
- a wedge plug formed around at least one end of the composite rods, wherein the plurality of composite rods in the wedge plug are splayed out in a widened orientation in the wedge plug from a vicinity of where the plurality of composite rods enter a proximal, narrower end of the wedge plug to a distal, wider end of the wedge plug, and wherein the wedge plug is formed from a material that bonds to the plurality of composite rods located therein;
- and
- at least one termination fitting with a termination fitting body having an aperture at a proximal end for receipt of the bundle of composite rods, and having an internal cavity that flares outwardly from a proximal end to a distal end to closely fit and receive the wedge plug.
A method for forming composite tension cable tension members having desired lengths, tensile strength, and profile characteristics, comprising the following and not necessarily in order steps of:
- (a) providing a plurality of composite rods that are arranged in a bundle, each of the plurality of composite rods having an outer surface and having first and second ends;
- (b) providing termination fittings, each fitting having a frustum-shaped internal cavity with a narrower entrance and a wider exit;
- (c) inserting the first ends of the plurality of composite rods into the entrance of one termination fitting and inserting the first ends of plurality of composite rods into a mold with a frustum-shaped internal cavity;
- (d) splaying the composite rods slightly into the interior cavity of the mold and inserting resin therein to form a frustum-shaped plug that is cast around the plurality of the splayed composite rods, with the outer surface area of the composite rods being bonded in the resin plug, the frustum-shaped plug being sized and shaped to closely fit into the frustum-shaped internal cavity of the termination fitting;
- (e) laying out the bundle of composite rods along a course the finished composite tension cable member will have when completed, including any bends;
- (f) applying generally equal tension to each composite rod in the bundle of rods;
- (g) repeating steps (c) and (d) with respect to another termination fitting while equal tension is continued to be applied to each composite rod in the bundle of rods;
- and
- (h) forming a protective layer around the bundle of rods.
A composite tension member, comprising:
- a plurality of composite rods, each composite rod having an outer surface, the composite rods being arranged in a bundle, each bundle having two ends;
- a composite wedge plug formed around at least one end of the bundle of composite rods, the composite rods in the wedge plug being splayed out in a widening orientation in the wedge plug from a point at which the plurality of composite rods enter the wedge plug to an opposite end of the wedge plug, the wedge plug being formed from a resin that bonds to the outer surface of composite rods located therein, the wedge plug having a wedge-shaped outer contour;
- at least one termination fitting with a termination fitting body having an aperture with an internal cavity that is sized and shaped to closely receive the wedge plug therein, the termination fitting being adapted to attach to other structures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.