Method of forming a joint
AssigneeAirbus Operations GmbH
InventorsChetan Korya, Timothy Sanderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of forming a joint between a first component and a second component, the first component comprising a plurality of layers of fibers impregnated with a thermosetting matrix. A welding interface element is provided with an array of pointed prongs. One or more of the layers of fibers are penetrated with the prongs, either before or after the fibers have been impregnated with the thermosetting matrix. The first component is cured by heating the thermosetting matrix after the prongs have been embedded. A thermoplastic weld is formed between the second component and the welding interface element.
Claims17
A method of forming a joint between a first component and a second component, the first component comprising a plurality of layers of fibres impregnated with a thermosetting matrix, the method comprising:
- a. providing a welding interface element with an array of pointed prongs;
- b. penetrating one or more of the layers of fibres with the prongs, either before or after the fibres have been impregnated with the thermosetting matrix,
- c. curing the first component after step b. by heating the thermosetting matrix;
- and
- d. forming a thermoplastic weld between the second component and the welding interface element.
A joint comprising:
- a first component comprising a plurality of layers of fibres impregnated with a thermosetting matrix;
- a welding interface element with an array of pointed prongs embedded within the first component;
- and
- a second component welded to the welding interface element by a thermoplastic weld.
A welding interface element comprising a welding pad with a welding face on a first side of the welding pad;
- and an array of pointed prongs which extend from a second side of the welding pad opposite the first side, wherein the welding pad and the prongs are formed from the same thermoplastic polymer material, and wherein the welding pad is wedge-shaped.
A method of manufacturing a welding interface element, the welding interface element comprising a welding pad with an array of pointed prongs, wherein the welding pad and the prongs are formed from the same thermoplastic polymer material, the method comprising growing the welding pad and the array of pointed prongs in a series of layers by additive fabrication, each layer being grown by directing energy and/or material from a head to selected parts of a build surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.