MODULAR COMPONENT PRESSURE APPLICATION FIXTURE

• US 20100154987A1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Vontell, John H. SR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,047,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/273.700
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 1/2405 Construction of the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/103 with a hinge
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/14 Clamps for work of special profile using chains or strips B25B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/163 Jaws or jaw attachments
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2309/02 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2309/12 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2603/00 Vanes, blades, propellers, rotors with blades
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/0046 characterised by constructional aspects of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/10 characterised by the pressing technique, e.g. using action of vacuum or fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pressure application device for curing an adhesive on a component, particularly components of complex geometries. The device comprises a pair of jaws, at least one spring recessed into a cavity defined within the first jaw, and a cap. A first end of a spring partially extends into the cavity and a second end of the spring contacts the cap. When force is applied to the cap, the cap transmits the force through the spring to the first jaw. In order to limit the separation of the cap from the first jaw, a retainer is used.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a first jaw and a second jaw, each jaw having a front side and a back side, wherein each front side has a clamping surface and the clamping surfaces of the first jaw and the second jaw face one another, the first jaw and the second jaw being relatively movable toward and away from one another;

a cavity in the back side of the first jaw;

a spring partially extending into the cavity; and

a cap having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface faces the back side of the first jaw and contacts the spring so that force applied to the exterior surface of the cap is transmitted through the spring to the first jaw to move the first jaw towards the second jaw.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a retainer for limiting separation of the cap from the first jaw.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer further comprises:

a rod having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned within the cavity of the first jaw and surrounded by the spring and the second end extending through the cap; and

a disc member mounted on the second end of the rod such that the disc member contacts the exterior surface of the cap when no force is applied.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the disc member is mounted in a fixed position on the rod so that the spring compresses to a fixed length.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the disc member is adjustably mounted along the rod so that the spring compresses to an adjustable length depending on position of the disc member on the rod.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the compression spring comprises a plurality of spring elements arranged to transmit a desired force with a known spring travel.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein a first spring element is positioned in series with a second spring element.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein a first spring element is positioned in parallel with a second spring element.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the spring elements are selected from the group consisting of disc springs, leaf springs, and coil springs.

10. The device of claim 1, and further comprising:

a support member connecting the first jaw to the second jaw to control movement of the first jaw relative to the second jaw.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the force is applied to the exterior surface of the cap by using a force applicator selected from the group comprising mechanical devices, hydraulic devices, pneumatic devices and combinations thereof.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the clamping surface is at least partially coated with a polymer.

13. A device comprising:

a first jaw and a second jaw each having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the first jaw and the second jaw spaced apart and facing one another;

a first spring having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned within a first cavity in the exterior surface of the first jaw;

a second spring having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned within a second cavity in the exterior surface of the first jaw;

a cap having an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the interior surface abuts the second end of the first spring and the second end of the second spring; and

a first retainer and a second retainer positioned such that, when no force is applied to the cap, the cap abuts the first retainer and the second retainer, and when a force is applied to the cap, the cap moves away from the first retainer and the second retainer towards the first jaw.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the force is applied to the cap by using a force applicator selected from the group comprising mechanical devices, hydraulic devices, pneumatic devices and combinations thereof.

15. The device of claim 13, and further comprising:

a first support member and a second support member connecting the first jaw to the second jaw to control movement of the jaws relative to one another.

16. The device of claim 13, and further comprising:

at least a third spring having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned within a third cavity in the exterior surface of the first jaw and the second end of the spring abuts the cap.

17. A method comprising:

applying an adhesive to a component;

positioning a pressure application device around the component, the pressure application device comprising a first jaw having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a second jaw having an interior surface and an exterior surface, a spring partially extending into a cavity in the exterior face of the first jaw, and a cap having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior face of the first jaw faces a first side of the component, the interior face of the second jaw faces a second side of the component, and the interior surface of the cap is in contact with the spring and faces the exterior surface of the first jaw;

applying a force to the cap, which compresses the spring and transmits the force to the interior surface of the first jaw to apply a pressure to the component; and

removing the force after the adhesive has cured.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pressure applied to the component is less than 1000 psi (6.90 N/mm²).

19. The method of claim 17, and further comprising:

placing the component and the pressure application device into an oven to thermally cure the adhesive.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the adhesive is thermally cured at a temperature of less than 450°

F. (232°

C.).