US3778185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite strut joint construction
Assignee: RTX Corp
•
Filing: 1972-08-28
•
Granted: 1973-12-11
•
Expires: 1992-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A composite strut includes an end extending radially through an opening in the wall of a cylindrical duct. The end of the strut has tapering surfaces forming a wedge-shaped cavity, and a wedge having the shape of the cavity is bonded to the surfaces of the cavity. The end of the strut also includes outwardly facing surfaces substantially parallel to and spaced from the tapered surfaces of the cavity. Stiffeners having surfaces in face-toface abutting relationship to the outwardly facing surfaces are fixed to the duct and prevent the strut from being pulled radially through the duct opening. The stiffeners also absorb torsional and bending loads from the strut and transfer those loads into the duct.
Inventors
- 👤 J Plowman
- 👤 I Fowkes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:11
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02C; F02C7/00; F02C7/20; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
In a gas turbine engine, a joint construction comprising: duct means having a longitudinal axis and including a substantially cylindrical duct wall surrounding said axis and concentric thereto, said duct wall having an opening therethrough; a strut extending substantially radially with respect to said axis, said strut comprising tensile filaments within a matrix material, at least a portion of said filaments disposed substantially radially with respect to said axis for strength in a radial direction, said strut including an end portion extending substantially radially through said opening, said end portion including wall means, said wall means including inner surface means and outer surface means, said inner surface means defining at least one wedge-shaped cavity, said wedge shape tapering in a radial direction toward said opening, said outer surface means being substantially parallel to said inner surface means; at least one wedge, substantially the shape of said cavity, disposed within said cavity and bonded to the surface thereof; and stiffener means having surface means substantially surrounding and in face-to-face abutting relationship to said outeR surface means, said stiffener means being fixedly attached to said duct means for transferring loads from said strut to said duct means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a gas turbine engine, a joint construction comprising: duct means having a longitudinal axis and including a substantially cylindrical duct wall surrounding said axis and concentric thereto, said duct wall having an opening therethrough; a strut extending substantially radially with respect to said axis, said strut comprising tensile filaments within a matrix material, at least a portion of said filaments disposed substantially radially with respect to said axis for strength in a radial direction, said strut including an end portion extending substantially radially through said opening, said end portion including wall means, said wall means including inner surface means and outer surface means, said inner surface means defining at least one wedge-shaped cavity, said wedge shape tapering in a radial direction toward said opening, said outer surface means being substantially parallel to said inner surface means; at least one wedge, substantially the shape of said cavity, disposed within said cavity and bonded to the surface thereof; and stiffener means having surface means substantially surrounding and in face-to-face abutting relationship to said outeR surface means, said stiffener means being fixedly attached to said duct means for transferring loads from said strut to said duct means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The joint construction according to claim 1 wherein said strut is hollow and said wedge has at least one substantially radial opening therethrough in gas communication with the inside of said hollow strut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The joint construction according to claim 2 wherein said strut is airfoil shaped in cross section and includes a leading and trailing edge, and said wedge-shaped cavity extends substantially from said leading edge to said trailing edge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The joint construction according to claim 3 wherein said outer surface means is bonded to said stiffener surface means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The joint constuction according to claim 1 wherein said strut is airfoil-shaped in cross section and includes a leading and trailing edge, and said wedge-shaped cavity extends substantially from said leading edge to said trailing edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The joint construction according to claim 5 wherein said duct means includes at least one annular ring for providing hoop strength for said duct wall, and said stiffener means and said wedge are fixedly attached to said ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The joint construction according to claim 5 wherein said outer surface means is bonded to said stiffener surface means, and said wedge is fixedly attached to said duct means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The joint construction according to claim 1 wherein said outer surface means is bonded to said stiffener surface
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The joint construction according to claim 3 wherein said wedge is fixedly attached to said duct means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2516819A
Cited
US2648353A
Cited
US2809491A
Cited
US2924425A
Cited
US3095138A
Cited
US3588267A
Cited
US3708242A
Cited
US3703194A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |