Patent Application
20250084884
The present disclosure relates to fastening collars, multi-piece fasteners, and methods for fastening.
Vehicle frames, storage racks, solar panel sub-structures, aircraft parts, and other structures can include numerous mechanical fasteners. For example, a mechanical fastener can be installed in a bore of a structural component to secure parts together. Properly installing a mechanical fastener into a bore may present challenges.
According to one non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a fastening collar comprises a first collar end, a second collar end, and an elongate portion intermediate the first collar end and the second collar end and defining a longitudinal axis of the fastening collar. The elongate portion comprises an external collar surface, an inner collar surface defining a collar cavity, and a groove on at least one of the external collar surface and inner collar surface. The groove extends a first distance along the longitudinal axis.
According to another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a multi-piece fastener is provided. The multi-piece fastener comprises a fastening collar and a pin. The fastening collar comprises a first collar end, a second collar end, and an elongate portion intermediate the first collar end and the second collar end and defining a longitudinal axis of the fastening collar. The elongate portion comprises an external collar surface, an inner collar surface defining a collar cavity, and a groove on at least one of the external collar surface and inner collar surface. The groove extends a first distance along the longitudinal axis. The pin is configured to be at least partially received in the collar cavity of the fastening collar.
According to yet another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a method for fastening is provided. The method comprises providing a multi-piece fastener. The multi-piece fastener comprises a fastening collar and a pin. The fastening collar comprises a first collar end, a second collar end, and an elongate portion intermediate the first collar end and the second collar end and defining a longitudinal axis of the fastening collar. The elongate portion comprises an external collar surface, an inner collar surface defining a collar cavity, and a groove on at least one of the external collar surface and the inner collar surface. The groove extends a first distance along the longitudinal axis. The pin comprises a first pin end and a shank comprising a generally smooth region. The pin is configured to be at least partially received in the collar cavity of the fastening collar. The method comprises inserting the first pin end of the pin into a bore of a structure. The elongate portion of the fastening collar is forcibly contacted with a contact surface of an installation tool, thereby forcibly contacting the structure with the second collar end of the fastening collar and deforming the elongate portion onto the shank of the pin, including deforming the groove onto the generally smooth region of the shank.
It will be understood that the inventions disclosed and described in this specification are not limited to the aspects summarized in this Summary. The reader will appreciate the foregoing details, as well as others, upon considering the following detailed description of various non-limiting and non-exhaustive aspects according to this specification.
The features and advantages of the examples, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent, and the examples will be better understood, by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the appended claims in any manner.
Various examples are described and illustrated herein to provide an overall understanding of the structure, function, and use of the disclosed fastening collars, multi-piece fasteners, pins, and methods of fastening. The various examples described and illustrated herein are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Thus, the invention is not limited by the description of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples disclosed herein. Rather, the invention is defined solely by the claims. The features and characteristics illustrated and/or described in connection with various examples may be combined with the features and characteristics of other examples. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of this specification. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any features or characteristics expressly or inherently described in, or otherwise expressly or inherently supported by, this specification. Further, Applicant reserves the right to amend the claims to affirmatively disclaim features or characteristics that may be present in the prior art. The various embodiments disclosed and described in this specification can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the features and characteristics as variously described herein.
As used herein, “intermediate” means that the referenced element is disposed between two elements but is not necessarily in contact with those elements. Accordingly, unless stated otherwise herein, an element that is “intermediate” a first element and a second element may or may not be adjacent to or in contact with the first and/or second elements, and other elements may be disposed between the intermediate element and the first and/or second elements.
During installation of a multi-piece fastener including a fastening collar into a structure, increasing the clamp force that the multi-piece fastener applies to the structure can be desirable in some applications. However, high clamp force values for certain applications, such as, where temperatures vary widely, can be undesirable. For example, during operation of an aerospace engine, high clamp force values exerted by an installed multi-piece fastener can vary widely dependent on the temperature, which can lead to variable performance of the multi-piece fastener. In some applications involving high temperatures, a high clamp force may not be achievable and/or may damage the underlying structure. Additionally, reducing the clamp force typically also reduces the tensile strength of the multi-piece fastener installed in the structure.
In light of these issues, the present inventors have provided fastening collars, multi-piece fasteners, and methods for fastening that can control a clamp force value during and/or after installation while achieving a desirable tensile strength of the multi-piece fastener.
Referring to
The elongate portion 108 can comprise a groove on at least one of the external collar surface 118 and the inner collar surface 116. For example, as illustrated in
The groove 112 extends a first distance, d1, along the longitudinal axis, A1. The first distance, d1, can be at least 2% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102, as measured along the longitudinal axis, Al, such as, for example, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 12%, or at least 15% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102. For example, the first distance, d1, can be in a range of 2% to 30% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102 as measured along the longitudinal axis, Al, such as for example, 2% to 25%, 5% to 25%, 5% to 15%, or 5% to 20% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102 as measured along the longitudinal axis, Al. In various non-limiting embodiments, the first distance, d1, can be in a range of 0.1 millimeter (mm) to 10 mm, such as, for example, 0.1 mm to 5 mm, 0.2 mm to 2.5 mm, 0.5 mm 10 to 4 mm, or 0.5 mm to 2 mm.
In certain embodiments, the groove 112 can be annular. In various non-limiting embodiments in which the groove is defined on at least the external collar surface 118, the groove 112 can extend around at least a portion of the outer circumference of the external collar surface 118, or in other embodiments can extend around the entire outer circumference of the 15 external collar surface 118. In certain non-limiting embodiments in which the groove 212 is defined on at least the inner collar surface 116, the groove 212 can extend around at least a portion of inner circumference of the of the inner collar surface 116, or in other embodiments can extend around the entire inner circumference of the inner collar surface 116.
The present inventor determined that reducing the average wall thickness, t2, of the entire fastening collar 102 can reduce the force required to install the fastening collar 102, but this can also undesirably reduce the tensile strength of a multi-piece fastener including the fastening collar 102. The present inventor determined that adjusting the size and/or shape of groove 112 can adjust the force required to install the fastening collar 102 and/or the resulting clamp force applied to a structure while achieving a desirable tensile strength of the multi-piece fastener in a structure. Controlling clamp force generated by securing the fastening collar 102 while achieving a desirable tensile strength of the multi-piece fastener can improve the operational life of the multi-piece fastener. For example, the fastening collar 102 can be more resistant to clamp load changes due to temperature fluctuations than a conventional fastening collar and/or achieve an enhanced tensile strength during operation.
In certain non-limiting embodiments, the elongate portion 108 can comprise at least two grooves (not shown) or at least three grooves. The grooves may be the same or different. Individually, each groove or collectively all of the grooves can be configured according to groove 112. The grooves can be configured to adjust the force required to install the fastening collar 102 and/or the resulting clamp force applied to a structure while achieving a desirable tensile strength of the multi-piece fastener in a structure.
As illustrated in the embodiment shown in
The clamping force of a multi-piece fastener can be generated by urging material of the fastening collar 102 against the structure. The present inventor has determined that reducing the wall thickness of the elongate portion 108 at a region proximal to the structure, such as in the groove 112, can enable deformation and/or local compression into the groove 112 instead of generation of clamping force onto the structure. The groove 112 can be offset from the second collar end 106 by a second distance, d2. The second distance, d2, can be at least 5% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102 as measured along the longitudinal axis, Al, such as, for example, at least 10%, at least 15%, or at least 25% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the second distance, d2, can be in a range of 5% to 50% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102, such as, for example, 5% to 40%, 5% to 30%, or 5% to 25% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102.
The elongate portion 108 can comprise a flange portion 114, which can extend a third distance, d3, along the longitudinal axis, Al. The third distance, d3, can be at least 5% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102 as measured along the longitudinal axis, Al, such as, for example, at least 10%, at least 15%, or at least 25% of the total length, dt, of the fastening collar 102. In various non-limiting embodiments, the third distance, d3, can be in a range of 0.1 mm to 10 mm, such as, for example, 0.1 mm to 5 mm, 0.2 mm to 2.5 mm, or 0.5 mm to 2 mm.
The flange portion 114 can inhibit the fastening collar 102 from entering a bore of a structure and/or increase surface area contact with a structure. For example, the flange portion 114 can comprise an outer diameter, Φ1, that is greater than an average outer diameter, Φ2, of the elongate portion 108, such as, for example, at least 5% greater, at least 10% greater, or at least 15% greater than an average outer diameter, Φ2, of the elongate portion 108.
The collar cavity 110 of the elongate portion 108 can be configured to at least partially receive a pin of a multi-piece fastener, such as, for example, pin 320 of the multi-piece fastener 300 shown in
Referring to
The collar cavity 110 of the fastening collar 102 can be configured to at least partially receive the shank 322 of the pin 320 therein. For example, the collar cavity 110 can comprise a shape suitable to receive the shank 322 of the pin 320. The fastening collar 102, including the inner collar surface 116, can be configured to be at least partially deformed onto the shank 322. For example, during and/or after introduction of the shank 322 into the collar cavity 110, the elongate portion 108, including at least a portion of the inner collar surface 116, can be at least partially deformed (e.g., swaged) onto the shank 322 responsive to forcible contact between the fastening collar 102 and a multi-piece fastener installation tool. Deformation of the elongate portion 108 can secure the fastening collar 102 to the shank 322 of the pin 320, securing the multi-piece fastener 300 within a bore in a structure.
In various non-limiting embodiments, the pin 320 may comprise a breakneck groove (not shown) configured to fracture to separate all or a portion of a pull region (not shown) from the pin 320 upon installation of the multi-piece fastener 300 in a bore in a structure. In certain other non-limiting embodiments, the pin 320 does not comprise a breakneck groove but is configured to include one or more other features so that the pull region of the pin 320 fractures during installation of the multi-piece fastener 300. In various non-limiting embodiments of the multi-piece fastener 300, the pin 320 does not comprise a breakneck groove or other feature configured to fracture upon installation of the multi-piece fastener 300, and the pull region remains intact after installation. Thus, various non-limiting embodiments of multi-piece fasteners according to the present disclosure may be installed in a structure without fracturing a breakneck groove or other feature or, alternatively, the fasteners may include a breakneck groove or other feature that fractures upon installation of the multi-piece fastener into the structure.
In various non-limiting embodiments, the second pin end 330 can further comprise the head portion 336 configured to inhibit the pin 320 from traversing into a bore in a structure beyond a predetermined distance. The shank 322 can comprise at least one of a generally smooth region, an annular shoulder, a groove, a thread, and/or one or more other features configured to engage the inner collar surface 116 of the fastening collar 102. For example, and as illustrated in
The fastening collar 102 and/or the pin 320 can be sized to increase mechanical stability of the multi-piece fastener 300 after installation. For example, the substantially smooth region 324 and the groove 112 can be sized and configured on the shank 322 and the fastening collar 102, respectively, such that the groove 112 engages the substantially smooth region 324 during installation of the multi-piece fastener 300. In various non-limiting embodiments in which the groove 112 is positioned over the substantially smooth region 324 during installation, the multi-piece fastener 300 can have an enhanced mechanical stability compared to embodiments in which the groove 112 is positioned over the second region 326 during installation.
Additionally, the multi-piece fastener 100 can be sized as appropriate for the intended application. For example, in certain non-limiting embodiments the shank 322 can comprise a shank diameter in a range of 0.06 inch to 4 inches, and the fastening collar 102 can be sized to receive the shank 322.
In various non-limiting embodiments, the shank 322 can comprise a pull region configured to be engaged by a multi-piece fastener installation tool (not shown) when installing the multi-piece fastener 300 in a bore in a structure. The pull region can comprise an axial length, and in various non-limiting embodiments the pull region can comprise a taper. In various non-limiting embodiments, the pull region can comprise at least one of a generally smooth region, an annular shoulder, a groove, a thread, and/or one or more other features configured to be engaged by a multi-piece fastener installation tool. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the multi-piece fastener installation tool can be a puller tool or a squeezer tool.
The multi-piece fastener 300, including the fastening collar 102 and the pin 320, can comprise any suitable material, such as, for example, a metal, a metal alloy, a polymer, or another suitable material. For example, in various non-limiting embodiments, the multi-piece fastener 300 can comprise at least one of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, iron, an iron alloy, and a carbon fiber composite material.
As illustrated in the non-limiting embodiments shown in
The structure 444 can comprise a single layer of material or two or more layers of material. For example, as illustrated in
Additionally, in various non-limiting embodiments, the first pin end 328 can be sized and configured to facilitate alignment of the pin 320 with the bore 446, thereby allowing the first pin end 328 to readily move into and through the bore 446. In various non-limiting embodiments, the head portion 336 can be sized and configured to inhibit the pin 320 from traversing into the bore 446 beyond a predetermined distance.
As illustrated in
With reference to
As illustrated in
The groove 112 can be deformed after installation and change shape. For example, the groove 112 can be compressed locally as illustrated in
The multi-piece fastener 300 can achieve a desirable ultimate tensile strength because the reduced wall thickness of the fastening collar 102 is locally maintained to the groove 112.
In various non-limiting embodiments, after installation, the multi-piece fastener can exhibit an ultimate tensile strength of at least 500 dekanewtons (daN), such as, for example, at least 600 daN, at least 700 daN, at least 800 daN, at least 900 daN, or at least 1,000 daN.
As illustrated in
Embodiments of multi-piece fasteners according to the present disclosure can be used in a method for fastening a structure.
Various aspects of non-limiting embodiments of inventions according to the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, the aspects listed in the following numbered clauses.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the fastening collars, multi-piece fasteners, structures, methods, operations/actions, and objects described herein, and the accompanying discussion, are non-limiting examples presented for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various modifications to the disclosed configurations are contemplated. Consequently, as used herein, the specific examples/embodiments set forth, and the accompanying discussion, are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended to be representative of its class and the non-inclusion of specific components, devices, apparatus, operations/actions, and objects should not be taken as limiting. While the present disclosure provides descriptions of various specific aspects for the purpose of illustrating various aspects of the present disclosure and/or its potential applications, it is understood that variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention or inventions described herein should be understood to be at least as broad as they are claimed and not as more narrowly defined by particular illustrative aspects provided herein.
Any references herein to “various embodiments”, “some embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, a “non-limiting embodiment”, or like phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments”, “in some embodiments”, “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “in a non-limiting embodiment”, or like phrases in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present embodiments.
In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical parameters are to be understood as being prefaced and modified in all instances by the term “about,” in which the numerical parameters possess the inherent variability characteristic of the underlying measurement techniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter described herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Also, any numerical range recited herein includes all sub-ranges subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein, and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited. All such ranges are inherently described in this specification.
The grammatical articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used herein, are intended to include “at least one” or “one or more”, unless otherwise indicated, even if “at least one” or “one or more” is expressly used in certain instances. Thus, the foregoing grammatical articles are used herein to refer to one or more than one (i.e., to “at least one”) of the particular identified elements. Further, the use of a singular noun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes the singular, unless the context of the usage requires otherwise.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR2108785 | Aug 2021 | FR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2022/000485 | 8/16/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63234817 | Aug 2021 | US |
