US6758386B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of joining ceramic matrix composites and metals
Assignee: Boeing Co
•
Filing: 2001-09-18
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Granted: 2004-07-06
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Expires: 2021-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A method of joining a ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle to a metal manifold is provided, wherein a silicon nitride insert is disposed inside the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle and the metal manifold to provide a joint therebetween. The silicon nitride insert is preferably co-processed with the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle such that the ceramic matrix provides a bond between the rocket nozzle and the insert. The metal manifold is then secured to the silicon nitride insert, preferably using brazing, to form a joint assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 David B. Marshall
- 👤 Min Z Berbon
- 👤 John R. Porter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:05
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L25/00; F16L25/0072; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249924; Y10T428/249928
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A joint assembly comprising: at least one ceramic matrix composite conduit reinforced with carbon fibers; at least one metal conduit; and a monolithic ceramic insert disposed inside the ceramic composite conduit and the metal conduit; wherein the ceramic composite conduit is joined to the metal conduit using the insert.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A joint assembly comprising: at least one ceramic matrix composite conduit reinforced with carbon fibers; at least one metal conduit; and a monolithic ceramic insert disposed inside the ceramic composite conduit and the metal conduit; wherein the ceramic composite conduit is joined to the metal conduit using the insert.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The joint assembly of claim 1 , wherein the insert is bonded to the ceramic matrix composite conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The joint assembly of claim 1 , wherein the metal conduit is brazed to the insert.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The joint assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ceramic matrix composite conduit, the insert, and the metal conduit comprise a circular cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The joint assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ceramic matrix composite conduit comprises a silicon carbide matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The joint assembly of claim 1 , wherein the insert is a monolithic ceramic having a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to or less than the ceramic matrix composite conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The joint assembly of claim 1 , wherein the insert is silicon nitride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The joint assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of inserts that join a plurality of ceramic matrix composite conduits to a plurality of metal conduits.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A joint assembly for use in a rocket nozzle comprising: at least one ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle comprising reinforcing carbon fibers in a ceramic matrix; at least one metal manifold; and a silicon nitride insert disposed inside the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle and the metal manifold, wherein the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle is joined to the metal manifold using the silicon nitride insert.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A joint assembly for use in a rocket nozzle comprising: at least one ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle comprising reinforcing carbon fibers in a ceramic matrix; at least one metal manifold; and a silicon nitride insert disposed inside the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle and the metal manifold, wherein the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle is joined to the metal manifold using the silicon nitride insert.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The joint assembly of claim 9 , wherein the silicon nitride insert is bonded to the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The joint assembly of claim 9 , wherein the metal manifold is brazed to the silicon nitride insert.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The joint assembly of claim 9 , wherein the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle comprises a silicon carbide matrix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The joint assembly of claim 9 , wherein the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle, the silicon nitride insert, and the metal manifold comprise a circular cross-section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The joint assembly of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of silicon nitride inserts that join a plurality of ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzles to a plurality of metal manifolds.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for joining a ceramic matrix composite conduit to a metal conduit comprising the steps of: (a) providing the ceramic matrix composite conduit reinforced with carbon fibers; (b) securing a monolithic ceramic insert inside at least one fiber preform of the ceramic matrix composite conduit; (c) co-processing the monolithic ceramic insert with the fiber preform; (d) placing a metal conduit over the monolithic ceramic insert; (e) securing the metal conduit to the monolithic ceramic insert; and wherein, the ceramic matrix composite conduit is joined to the metal conduit using the insert.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
A process for joining a ceramic matrix composite conduit to a metal conduit comprising the steps of: (a) providing the ceramic matrix composite conduit reinforced with carbon fibers; (b) securing a monolithic ceramic insert inside at least one fiber preform of the ceramic matrix composite conduit; (c) co-processing the monolithic ceramic insert with the fiber preform; (d) placing a metal conduit over the monolithic ceramic insert; (e) securing the metal conduit to the monolithic ceramic insert; and wherein, the ceramic matrix composite conduit is joined to the metal conduit using the insert.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of claim 15 , wherein the step of co-processing comprises infiltrating a ceramic matrix precursor slurry into the fiber preform and the insert and heat treating, thereby forming the ceramic matrix composite conduit and bonding the insert to an inside of the ceramic matrix composite conduit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 15 , wherein the metal conduit is secured to the insert using brazing.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of joining a ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle to a metal manifold comprising the steps of: (a) providing the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle reinforced with carbon fibers; (b) securing a silicon nitride insert inside a fiber preform of the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle; (c) co-processing the silicon nitride insert with the fiber preform; (d) placing a metal manifold over the silicon nitride insert; and (e) brazing the metal manifold to the silicon nitride insert.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of joining a ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle to a metal manifold comprising the steps of: (a) providing the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle reinforced with carbon fibers; (b) securing a silicon nitride insert inside a fiber preform of the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle; (c) co-processing the silicon nitride insert with the fiber preform; (d) placing a metal manifold over the silicon nitride insert; and (e) brazing the metal manifold to the silicon nitride insert.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of co-processing comprises infiltrating a ceramic matrix precursor slurry into the fiber preform and the silicon nitride insert and heat treating, thereby forming the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle and bonding the silicon nitride insert to an inside of the ceramic matrix composite rocket nozzle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-07-06 | 2008-01-05 | 2008-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-07-06 | 2012-01-05 | 2012-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-07-06 | 2016-01-05 | 2016-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |