Internal pocket fastener system for ceramic matrix composites

• US 7,832,972 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Jarmon, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, GARY WAYNE
• Application Number:
  US12/042,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20090226279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 403/381, 403/25, 403/167, 403/168, 403/179, 403/194, 403/267, 403/199, 403/388, 411/90, 411/92, 411/553, 411/533, 411/357, 411/549, 411/382, 411/400, 411/409, 416/216.1
• US Class Current: 411/553
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/71 Ceramic products containing macroscopic reinforcing agents C04B35/66 takes precedence ; infiltration of a porous ceramic matrix with a material forming a non-ceramic phase C04B41/00, reaction infiltration with Si in order to form SiC C04B35/573, in order to form Si3N4 C04B35/591
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/02 Releasable fastening devices locking by rotation with snap-action F16B21/06; studs or coupling pins with resilient protrusions F16B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/30 Dovetail-like connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 33/006 Non-metallic fasteners using screw-thread

Abstract

A fastener system provides an internal pocket within a CMC component into which a fastener is inserted through an internal pocket opening and loaded to secure the CMC structure to a support structure.

Claims

1. A fastener system comprising:

a CMC component having an internal pocket formed therein, said internal pocket having a rectilinear pocket opening transverse to said internal pocket which extends through an outer surface of said CMC component, said internal pocket defines an ellipsoid volume.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a fastener stud which defines a head and a shank which define a generally equivalent thickness, said head receivable within said internal pocket for rotation therein between an engaged and a disengaged position.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein a geometric shape of said head corresponds with said internal pocket.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein a lateral cross-section of said internal pocket corresponds to said head.

5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said stud receives a foot hardware assembly to mount said CMC component to a noncomposite support structure.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said pocket opening is defined in part by a rectilinear volume.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said internal pocket is formed completely within said CMC component, said pocket opening extends through one surface of said CMC component.

8. A fastener system comprising:

a CMC component having an internal pocket formed therein, said internal pocket having a rectilinear pocket opening in communication with said internal pocket which extends through an outer surface of said CMC component, said internal pocket having at least one pocket opening, said internal pocket defines an ellipsoid volume with a silicon carbide (SiC) internal layer.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein said pocket opening is defined in part by a rectilinear volume.

10. A fastener system comprising:

a CMC component having an internal pocket formed therein, said internal pocket having a rectilinear pocket opening in communication with said internal pocket which extends through an outer surface of said CMC component, said internal pocket having at least one pocket opening, said internal pocket defines an ellipsoid volume surrounded by a fiber braid layer, said internal pocket opening extends through said fiber braid layer.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein said pocket opening is defined in part by a rectilinear volume.

12. An assembly comprising:

a CMC component having an internal pocket formed therein, said internal pocket having a pocket opening transverse to said internal pocket which extends through an outer surface of said CMC component, said internal pocket defines an ellipsoid volume;

a noncomposite support structure; and

a fastener system that secures said CMC component to said noncomposite support structure, said fastener system including a fastener stud which defines a head and a shank of a generally equivalent thickness, said head receivable within said internal pocket for rotation therein between an engaged and a disengaged position, said noncomposite support structure mounted to said fastener shank.

13. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said fastener shank is mountable to said noncomposite support structure with removable foot hardware.

14. The assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said at least one internal pocket includes a multiple of internal pockets.

15. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein a geometric shape of said head corresponds with said internal pocket.

16. The assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said internal pocket opening is rectilinear.

17. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said internal pocket defines a longitudinal internal pocket within said CMC component.