Assembly with solid state, phase transformable locking fastener
US5536126A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S411/909
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A locking assembly is formed of a first article (40), a second article (44), and a locking fastener (46) positioned between the two articles and made of a shape memory alloy material. The locking fastener (46) is dimensioned to have a first shape below the transformation temperature wherein the first article (40) and the second article (44) are not locked together, and a second shape above the transformation temperature wherein the first article (40) and the second article (44) are locked together by the locking fastener (46). In one form, the first article (40) has a cylindrical bore (42) therein, the second article (44) is a cylinder that fits within the bore (42), and the locking fastener (46) is a helical coil or an annular ring having a radial slot therethrough, placed between the cylinder and the wall of the bore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.