Fastener system for a thermal protection system
First Claim
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1. A thermal protection system comprising:
- a ceramic panel having a plurality of attachment points to a structure, wherein the ceramic panel comprises a number of ceramic matrix composite facesheets and a ceramic foam panel;
a plurality of apertures extending through the ceramic panel, each aperture of the plurality of apertures located at an attachment point of the plurality of attachment points; and
a fastener system within each of the plurality of apertures, wherein each fastener system comprises;
a fastener having a head with a spherical underside; and
a ceramic bushing with a mating surface configured to mate with the spherical underside of the head of the fastener.
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Abstract
A thermal protection system comprises a ceramic panel, a plurality of apertures, and a fastener system within each of the plurality of apertures. The ceramic panel has a plurality of attachment points to a structure. The plurality of apertures extends through the ceramic panel, each aperture of the plurality of apertures located at an attachment point of the plurality of attachment points. Each fastener system comprises a fastener having a head with a spherical underside and a ceramic bushing with a mating surface configured to mate with the spherical underside of the head of the fastener.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A thermal protection system comprising:
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a ceramic panel having a plurality of attachment points to a structure, wherein the ceramic panel comprises a number of ceramic matrix composite facesheets and a ceramic foam panel; a plurality of apertures extending through the ceramic panel, each aperture of the plurality of apertures located at an attachment point of the plurality of attachment points; and a fastener system within each of the plurality of apertures, wherein each fastener system comprises; a fastener having a head with a spherical underside; and a ceramic bushing with a mating surface configured to mate with the spherical underside of the head of the fastener. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A thermal protection system comprising:
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a ceramic panel having a plurality of attachment points to a structure; a plurality of apertures extending through the ceramic panel, each aperture of the plurality of apertures located at an attachment point of the plurality of attachment points; and a fastener system within each of the plurality of apertures, wherein each fastener system comprises; a fastener having a head with a spherical underside; and a ceramic bushing with a mating surface configured to mate with the spherical underside of the head of the fastener; wherein each fastener system further comprises a nut secured to a shaft of a respective fastener, and further comprising; a non-structural layer between each nut and the ceramic panel, wherein the non-structural layer is one of a compliant material layer or a gap.
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11. A method comprising:
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forming an aperture extending through a ceramic panel of a thermal protection system1 wherein the ceramic panel comprises a ceramic matrix composite facesheet wrapped around a ceramic foam panel, and wherein forming the aperture comprises forming a counterbore extending through the ceramic foam panel; inserting a ceramic bushing with a mating surface into the aperture; and inserting a fastener having a head with a spherical underside into the aperture such that the spherical underside of the head of the fastener mates with the mating surface of the ceramic bushing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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forming an aperture extending through a ceramic panel of a thermal protection system, wherein the ceramic panel comprises a ceramic matrix composite facesheet wrapped around a ceramic foam panel, and wherein forming the aperture comprises forming a counterbore extending through only a portion the ceramic foam panel; inserting a ceramic bushing with a mating surface into the aperture; and inserting a fastener having a head with a spherical underside into the aperture such that the spherical underside of the head of the fastener mates with the mating surface of the ceramic bushing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method comprising:
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forming an aperture extending through a ceramic panel of a thermal protection system; inserting a ceramic bushing with a mating surface into the aperture; inserting a fastener having a head with a spherical underside into the aperture such that the spherical underside of the head of the fastener mates with the mating surface of the ceramic bushing; extending a shaft of the fastener through a non-structural layer; and attaching a nut to the shaft such that the non-structural layer is positioned between the nut and the ceramic panel, wherein the non-structural layer is one of a compliant material layer or a gap. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification