Method and apparatus for preloading a joint by remotely operable means
US5193929A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/59
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for joining structures, an active structure (10) and a passive structure (12), and imposing a tensile pre-load on the joint by a remotely operable mechanism comprising a heat contractible joining element (15). The method and apparatus include mounting on the structure (10) a probe shaft (15) of material which is transformable from an expanded length to a contracted length when heated to a specific temperature range. The shaft (15) is provided with a probe head (21) which is receivable in a receptacle opening (41) formed in the passive structure (12) when the active structure (10) is moved into engagement therewith by an appropriate manipulator mechanism. A latching system (45) mounted on the structure (12) adjacent to the receptacle opening (41) captures the probe head (21) when the probe head (21) is inserted a predetermined amount. A heating coil (26) on the shaft (15) is energizable by remote control for heating the shaft (15) to a temperature range which transforms the shaft (15) to its contracted length whereby a latching shoulder (24) thereof engages latching elements (47) of the latching system (45) and imposes a tensile preload on the structural joint. …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.