Tubular composite structural parts having clamp area configuration to prevent cracking under clamping stress
US6176640A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/7077
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tubular structural part made of composite material such as carbon strand reinforced epoxy resin is provided with an elongated flat area along the outer surface of the tubular part to avoid cracking of the part when the part is telescopically engaged with and clamped in an outer tube part. The flat clamp side area of the inner tube part prevents contact between the facing edges of an elongate split in the outer tube part which are drawn together during clamping so that the edges of the outer tube part are prevented from coming into contact with and thus gouging the outer surface of the composite tube causing cracks and eventual structural failure of the inner tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.