Hull joint connection
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorKevin J. Mackie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A clamp for joining two hull sections is disclosed. In some embodiments, the clamp is realized by a bulkhead and a wedge, wherein the wedge forces the two hull sections into a seated position on the bulkhead. In some embodiments, the clamp further comprises o-rings for providing a pressure seal.
Claims17
A clamp for joining a first shell and a second shell, the clamp comprising:
- (1) a bulkhead, wherein the bulkhead is separable coupleable to each of the first shell and second shell;
- and
- (2) a wedge, the wedge being mechanically coupleable with the bulkhead with a first separation having a magnitude that is controllable, the wedge comprising:
- (a) a first ramp dimensioned and arranged to engage a first ridge, the first ridge projecting from the inner surface of the first shell;
- and
- (b) a second ramp dimensioned and arranged to engage a second ridge, the second ridge projecting from the inner surface of the second shell;
- wherein the first ramp imparts a first force on the first shell when the first ramp and first ridge are engaged, the first force being directed toward the second shell, and wherein the magnitude of the first force is based on the first separation;
- and
- wherein the second ramp imparts a second force on the second shell when the second ramp and the second ridge are engaged, the second force being directed toward the first shell, and wherein the magnitude of the second force is based on the magnitude of the first separation.
A clamp for joining a first shell and a second shell, wherein the clamp comprises:
- a bulkhead, wherein the bulkhead is separably coupleable to each of the first shell and second shell, the bulkhead comprising:
- a first shoulder, the first shoulder dimensioned and arranged to fit within a first portion of the first shell;
- a second shoulder, the second shoulder dimensioned and arranged to fit within a second portion of the second shell;
- and
- a flange that interposes the first shoulder and the second shoulder;
- and
- a first wedge, the first wedge being mechanically coupleable with the bulkhead with a first separation having a magnitude that is controllable, the first wedge comprising a first ramp dimensioned and arranged to engage the first shell, and the first wedge comprising a second ramp dimensioned and arranged to engage the second shell;
- wherein the position of each of the first shell and the second shell relative to the flange is based on the magnitude of the first separation.
A clamp for joining a first shell characterized by a first longitudinal axis and a second shell characterized by a second longitudinal axis, wherein a first ridge projects from the inner surface of the first shell, and wherein a second ridge projects from the inner surface of the second shell, the clamp comprising:
- a bulkhead, wherein the bulkhead is separably coupleable to each of the first shell and second shell;
- and
- a wedge that is attachable to the bulkhead with a first separation haying a magnitude that is controllable, the wedge comprising a first ramp and a second ramp;
- wherein the first ramp is dimensioned and arranged to engage the first ridge to induce a first force on the first shell, the first force being directed along a first direction that is substantially parallel with the first longitudinal axis, and wherein the magnitude of the first force is based on the first separation;
- and
- wherein the second ramp is dimensioned and arranged to engage the second ridge to induce a second force on the second shell, the second force being directed along a second direction that is substantially parallel with the second longitudinal axis, and wherein the magnitude of the second force is based on the magnitude of the first separation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.