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Multi-layer metallic structure and composite-to-metal joint methods

  • US 8,993,084 B2
  • Filed: 04/10/2012
  • Issued: 03/31/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An integrated attachment fitting for a structure, comprising:

  • a composite resin portion comprising layers of composite laminate;

    a metal portion comprising a stack of metal plies, each metal ply in the stack of metal plies being substantially chemically non-reactive with any abutting composite resin, and connected to an adjoining metal ply via an adhesive layer such that;

    the stack of metal plies comprises performance properties superior to those of any monolithic metal comprising a thickness equal to a thickness of the stack of metal plies, and a reduction in a load carrying capability of any one ply in the stack of metal plies results in a transfer of the load across all other plies in the stack of plies, an end of each metal ply being vertically aligned with an end of a non-adjacent metal ply; and

    a composite-to-metal joint between the composite resin portion and the metal portion such that each composite laminate comprises a thickness that is less than a thickness of any metal ply whose end abuts a termination of the each composite laminate, such that terminations of some composite laminates in the composite resin portion are recessed from a vertical alignment of terminations of composite laminates in the composite resin portion that are not recessed, and the termination of each of the some composite laminates is vertically aligned with a termination of each other of the some composite laminates and the termination of each of the some composite laminates abuts the end of an individual metal ply in the stack of metal plies to form a vertical lap finger joint, and each metal ply abuts multiple layers of composite laminate.

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