Self-locking threaded fasteners
US5484244A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49865
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A threaded fastener with a shape memory alloy (SMA) coatings on its threads is disclosed. The fastener has special usefulness in high temperature applications where high reliability is important. The SMA coated fastener is threaded into or onto a mating threaded part at room temperature to produce a fastened object. The SMA coating is distorted during the assembly. At elevated temperatures the coating tries to recover its original shape and thereby exerts locking forces on the threads. When the fastened object is returned to room temperature the locking forces dissipate. Consequently the threaded fasteners can be readily disassembled at room temperature but remains securely fastened at high temperatures. A spray technique is disclosed as a particularly useful method of coating of threads of a fastener with a shape memory alloy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.