Method for adhesive bonding plug details for composite structures
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsChristopher J. Hertel, Thomas L. Cumella, Anthony Rivera
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for repairing defects in composite materials using a tapered disk sized to fit the part being repaired. Also included is a bolt sized to fit through a central hole in the disk. A spring is positioned on the bolt with a washer. A nut is attached to the end of the bolt and tightened to place pressure on the washer to compress the biasing device. An adhesive is applied to the tapered disk prior to engaging the composite material. A threaded bushing is used to fixedly attach a second bolt completely in the hole.
Claims18
A plug for repairing defects in a surface, the plug comprising:
- a disk formed from a material compatible with the surface, the disk having a top surface, a tapered circumferential surface and a bottom surface;
- a central hole in the disk from the top to the bottom surfaces;
- an installing bushing with a threaded hole, the threaded hole being sized to engage a bolt;
- and
- at least one rivet fixedly attaching the bushing to the disk.
Apparatus for repairing defects in a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a disk formed from a material compatible with the surface being repaired, the disk having a top surface, a tapered circumferential surface and a bottom surface;
- a central hole in the disk from the top to the bottom surfaces;
- a bolt sized to engage surface of the disc through the central hole in the disk and having a portion extending out from the bottom surface of the disk;
- a biasing device positioned over the portion of the bolt extending out from the disk such that one end of the biasing device engages the bottom surface of the disk;
- at least one washer positioned on the bolt against the biasing device end away from the bottom surface of the disk;
- and
- a nut attached to the end of the bolt, the nut being adapted to be tightened to place pressure on the at least one washer against to compress the biasing device.
A method for repairing defects in a surface having the defect removed therefrom to form a hole having a decreasing tapered side from top to bottom, the method comprising:
- inserting a disk into the hole in the surface, the disk being formed from a material compatible with the surface, the disk having a central hole in the disk from the top to the bottom surfaces;
- placing a bolt in the central hole in the disk, the bolt having a portion extending out from the bottom surface of the disk;
- mounting a biasing device over the portion of the bolt extending out from the disk such that the biasing device engages the bottom surface of the disk;
- placing at least one washer positioned on the bolt against the biasing device end away from the bottom surface of the disk;
- tightening a nut on the end of the bolt, the nut being adapted to be tightened to place pressure on the at least one washer against to compress the biasing device;
- and
- placing an adhesive on at least one of the tapered side in the surface and the tapered circumferential surface prior to engagement of the disk in the hole in the composite material, and curing the adhesive to bond the disk to the composite material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.