Patent · US Expired

Bearing load restoration method for composite structures

US5190611A · kind A · utility

58Cited by
26References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 13, 1991
Grant dateMar 2, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 13, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/20
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Material is removed from a panel (10) in the region surrounding an undesired opening (12) caused by damage or incorrect forming or wear of a fastener hole. The resulting prepared opening (21) has a bearing load transmitting sidewall surface that is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface (11) of the panel (10) and tapers slightly in an inward direction relative to the surface (11). The prepared opening (21) may extend all the way through the panel (10) or only part way through. A prefabricated insert (22) is positioned in the prepared opening (21) and bonded to the load transmitting surface. The bonding may be accomplished by applying an adhesive or using a fusing procedure. The insert (22) may have a constant angle of taper, preferably about two degrees, or may be concavely curved in the direction of taper. The insert (22) may be trimmed prior to and/or following the bonding procedure. A new fastener hole may be drilled through the bonded insert (22). The snug fit of the insert (22) and the nearly perpendicular orientation of the inset/panel interface result in the direct transmission of bearing loads between the panel (10) and the insert (22) in the repaired area.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.