Spacecraft assembly with misalignment tolerant fasteners
US5324146A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16B37/044
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for fastening together spacecraft panels includes the use of fastener pairs, one of which has preformed therein an aperture which is larger in diameter than the body of a tolerance takeup piece which is to pass therethrough. A washer which takes up the clearance is adhesively fastened to one of the fastener halves, and allowed to cure while the panels are in their desired position. Thus, a high-tolerance mating pair can be finalized in position at a late state in fabrication, without undesirable drilling or reaming. In a first particular embodiment, a flat washer, having an inside diameter which closely fits the corresponding bolt, is adhesively fastened over the preformed oversize aperture of a fitting. In another embodiment, the washer has an inside diameter which loosely fits the body of the bolt, but also includes a flange or dependent portion which extends through the joint, and which closely fits the inside diameter of the corresponding aperture in the other half of the fastener arrangement. In a yet further embodiment, the washer includes a two-step flange which takes up both axial and lateral tolerances.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.