Joints and connections – Bridged by diverse connector
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-13
2004-05-04
Cottingham, John R. (Department: 3679)
Joints and connections
Bridged by diverse connector
C403S287000, C244S131000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06729792
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of 101 11 896.1-22, filed in Germany on Mar. 13, 2001, the disclosure(s) of which is (are) expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a ring for connecting two rotationally symmetrical structural parts to form a rotationally symmetrical light-weight structure.
Structural parts of aerospace transport systems are conventionally connected by aluminum rings. The rings usually have a screwed interface or a pyrotechnically separable interface with the adjoining structural parts. These rings are used particularly for connecting conical structures with cylindrical structures. At the transition from the conical to the cylindrical structure, the axial loads must be deflected. This deflection generates high radial forces and deformations as a function of the cone angle. Apart from the loading, the stiffness therefore also seriously decreases in the axial and radial direction. For large aerospace transport systems which are based on this type of structure, such as the European carrier rocket Ariane 5, it is problematic to meet the requirements with respect to the stiffness connected with the lowest empty weight.
It is an object of the invention to develop a design by means of which, in the case of rotationally symmetrical light-weight structures, the required stiffnesses and stabilities can be met at the lowest weight.
This task is achieved according to certain preferred embodiments of the invention by providing a ring for connecting two rotationally symmetrical structural parts to form a rotationally symmetrical light-weight structure where a change of slope of a meridian line of the light-weight structure is situated at the transition between the two structural parts, wherein the ring comprises continuously wound reinforcement of carbon fiber reinforced plastic CFRP which has carbon fibers oriented in circumferential direction of the structural parts. Advantageous further developments of the invention are described herein and in the claims.
The ring according to the invention for the connection of two rotationally symmetrical structural parts to form a rotationally symmetrical lightweight construction has a surrounding laying of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) with carbon fibers oriented in the circumferential direction.
By means of the ring according to the invention, the high radial forces can be absorbed which exist at the transition area between the two structural parts as a result of the change of the slope of the meridian line of the light-weight structure.
The invention comprises particularly two basic embodiments:
1. The reinforcement of metallic rings (in the following also called “basic ring”) by a ring of continuously wound CFRP.
2. A ring of continuously wound CFRP without a metallic ring.
Advantages of the invention:
Low weight;
low volume requirement;
simple adaptation of the stiffness of the overall structure to the respective demands, also in a very late stage of a project.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3116547 (1964-01-01), Nepple
patent: 5062844 (1991-11-01), Jamison et al.
patent: 6076467 (2000-06-01), Cespedosa et al.
patent: 6217282 (2001-04-01), Stanka
patent: 2002/0178583 (2002-12-01), Holman et al.
patent: 2 196 922 (1988-05-01), None
Astrium GmbH
Cottingham John R.
Crowell & Moring LLP
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