Fastener systems and methods for joining multiple substrates of workpiece
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024109505
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-07-19
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-26
Smart Images

Figure 2025026822000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001]
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to fastening systems for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece, and more particularly to fastening systems that provide an interference fit with a workpiece including one or more composite substrates. The conductive properties of the various fastening systems provide protection from electromagnetic effects. Various configurations of the fastening system provide a nut member pre-attached to the blind side of the workpiece and a bolt member for attachment to one side from the work side. [Background technology]
[0002]
[0002] Current fastening systems require installation from both sides to obtain an interference fit between the fastener and the laminate of the workpiece. Conversely, existing fastening systems designed for single-sided installation only provide a clearance fit between the fastener and the laminate.
[0003]
[0003] Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue to undertake research and development efforts to improve fastening systems for joining multiple substrates in a work piece. Summary of the Invention
[0004]
[0004] Disclosed are examples of fastening systems and methods for joining multiple substrates of a work piece. The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples of subject matter in accordance with the present disclosure, which may or may not be claimed.
[0005] In one example, a fastening system for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece has a working side and a blind side. The fastening system includes a nut member, a sleeve member, and a bolt member. The nut member includes a nut bore with an internal thread. The nut member is configured to position the nut bore over an interface bore through the multiple substrates on the blind side of the workpiece. The sleeve member includes an outer sleeve surface having a lubricating coating. The sleeve member is configured to be inserted from the working side of the workpiece into the interface bore through the multiple substrates. The bolt member includes a head portion, a threaded portion, and a shank portion extending between the head portion and the threaded portion. The bolt member is configured to be inserted into a central bore of the sleeve member. The threaded portion is configured to threadably mate with the internal threads of the nut member. When the bolt member is fully engaged with the nut member, the shank portion of the bolt member is configured to radially expand the sleeve member, and the sleeve member is configured to provide an interference fit within the interface bore through the multiple substrates.
[0006] In one example, a method is disclosed for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece, the workpiece having a working side and a blind side. The method includes (1) securing a nut member to a blind surface of a workpiece over an interface bore through the plurality of substrates, the nut member including a nut bore with internal threads; (2) inserting a sleeve member from a work surface of the workpiece into the interface bore through the plurality of substrates, the sleeve member including an outer sleeve surface having a lubricating coating thereon; (3) inserting a bolt member into a central bore of the sleeve member until a distal end of the bolt member contacts the nut member, the bolt member including a head portion at a proximal end, a threaded portion at a distal end, and a shank portion extending between the head portion and the threaded portion; (4) rotating the bolt member to engage the threaded portion with the internal threads of the nut member; (5) radially expanding the sleeve member within the interface bore through the plurality of substrates once the bolt member is fully engaged with the nut member; and (6) providing an interference fit with the sleeve member within the interface bore through the plurality of substrates in response to the radial expansion of the sleeve member once the bolt member is fully engaged with the nut member. Includes.
[0007] In one example, another fastening system for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece has a work side and a blind side. The fastening system includes a nut member and a bolt member. The nut member includes a nut bore with an internal thread. The nut member is configured to be positioned over an interface bore through the multiple substrates on the blind side of the workpiece. The interface bore tapers from a larger interface bore diameter adjacent the work side of the workpiece to a smaller interface bore diameter adjacent the blind side of the workpiece such that the interface bore comprises a frustoconical interface bore. The bolt member includes a head portion, a threaded portion, and a shank portion extending between the head portion and the threaded portion. The shank portion includes an elongated shank body having an outer shank surface. The elongated shank body tapers from a larger outer shank diameter adjacent the head portion to a smaller outer shank diameter adjacent the threaded portion such that the elongated shank body comprises a frustoconical shank body. The outer shank surface is coated with a lubricating coating. The bolt member is configured to be inserted into the frusto-conical mating bore through the multiple substrates from a work side of the workpiece and configured to threadably mate with the internal threads of the nut member, and the frusto-conical shank body is configured to combine with a corresponding frusto-conical shape of the frusto-conical mating bore to provide an interference fit within the frusto-conical mating bore through the multiple substrates when the bolt member is fully engaged with the nut member.
[0008] In one example, another method for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece has a work side and a blind side. The method includes: (1) securing a nut member over an interface bore through the multiple substrates on the blind side of the workpiece, the nut member including a nut bore with internal threads, the interface bore tapering from a larger interface bore diameter proximate the work side of the workpiece to a smaller interface bore diameter proximate the blind side of the workpiece such that the interface bore includes a frusto-conical interface bore; and (2) inserting a bolt member from the work side of the workpiece into the frusto-conical interface bore through the multiple substrates until a distal end of the bolt member contacts the nut member, the bolt member including a head portion at a proximal end, a threaded portion at a distal end, and a threaded portion extending between the head portion and the threaded portion. (2) inserting a bolt member into the nut member, the bolt member including a shank portion tapered from a larger outer shank diameter adjacent the head portion to a smaller outer shank diameter adjacent the threaded portion such that the shank body includes a frusto-conical shank body, the shank portion including an outer shank surface having a lubricating coating thereon; (3) rotating the bolt member to engage the threaded portion with the internal threads of the nut member; and (4) providing an interference fit on the shank portion of the bolt member within the frusto-conical mating bore through the plurality of base plates when the bolt member becomes fully engaged with the nut member in combination with a corresponding frusto-conical shape of the frusto-conical mating bore.
[0009] Other examples of the disclosed fastening systems and methods for joining multiple substrates in a workpiece will be apparent from the subsequent detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a partially installed fastening system for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece.
[0010] FIG. [Figure 2A]
[0011] 2 is a side view of an example of a sleeve member of the fastening system of FIG. 1. [Figure 2B]
[0012] 2B is a view of the distal end of the sleeve member of FIG. 2A. [Diagram 3]
[0013] 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a nut member of the fastening system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]
[0014] 1A-C are side cross-sectional views of example countersunk, counterbored and cylindrical joining bores in a workpiece having multiple substrates. [Diagram 5]
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the fastening system of FIG. 1 with the fastening system fully installed. [Figure 6]
[0016] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of another example fastening system for joining multiple substrates of a work piece. [Figure 7]
[0017] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of yet another example fastening system for joining multiple substrates of a work piece. [Figure 8]
[0018] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an example method for bonding multiple substrates of a work piece. [Figure 9]
[0019] 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a further example of "Securing the Nut Member" from the method of FIG. 8. [Figure 10]
[0020] 10 is a flow diagram illustrating another further example of "Securing the Nut Member" from the method of FIG. 8. [Figure 11]
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of another example method for bonding multiple substrates of a work piece in combination with FIG. 8 . [Figure 12]
[0022] 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a further example of "inserting the sleeve member" from the method of FIG. 8. [Figure 13]
[0023] 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a further example of "rotating the bolt member" from the method of FIG. 8. [Figure 14]
[0024] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of yet another example method for bonding multiple substrates of a work piece in combination with FIG. 8 . [Figure 15]
[0025] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a further example of “Providing an Interference Fit” from the method of FIG. 8 . [Figure 16]
[0026] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another further example of “Providing an Interference Fit” from the method of FIG. 8 . [Figure 17]
[0027] 9 is a flow diagram showing a further example of "radially expanding" from the method of FIG. 8 and another further example of "providing an interference fit" from the method of FIG. 8. [Figure 18]
[0028] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of yet another example fastening system for joining multiple substrates of a work piece. [Figure 19]
[0029] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of yet another example method for bonding multiple substrates of a work piece. [Figure 20]
[0030] 20 is a flow diagram illustrating a further example of "Securing the Nut Member" from the method of FIG. 19. [Figure 21]
[0031] 20 is a flow diagram illustrating another further example of "Securing the Nut Member" from the method of FIG. 19. [Figure 22]
[0032] FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of another example method for bonding multiple substrates of a work piece in combination with FIG. 19 . [Diagram 23]
[0033] 20 is a flow diagram illustrating a further example of "rotating the bolt member" from the method of FIG. 19. [Figure 24]
[0034] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aircraft manufacturing and service method implementing one or more of the example methods for bonding multiple substrates of a workpiece disclosed herein. [Diagram 25]
[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aircraft including a workpiece including multiple substrates joined using one or more of the example fastening systems and methods for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011]
[0036] Various examples of fastening systems and methods for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece disclosed herein provide techniques for pre-installing a nut member of the fastening system on the blind side of the workpiece and installing other members of the fastening system on one side from the work side of the workpiece. The workpiece may include, for example, one or more composite substrates and be used in aerospace construction.
[0012]
[0037] Generally, with reference to, by way of example, FIGS. 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, and 5-7, the present disclosure is directed to a fastening system 100 for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104. The workpiece 104 has a working side 106 and a blind side 108. FIGS. 1 and 5-7 disclose an example of the fastening system 100. FIG. 2A shows a side view of an example sleeve member 118 of the fastening system 100. FIG. 2B shows a view of the distal end of the sleeve member of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 shows an example nut member 110 of the fastening system 100. FIGS. 4A-C show an example of a mating bore 116 in the workpiece 104 of FIG. 1 with a countersunk portion 402, a counterbored portion 404, and a cylindrical portion 406.
[0013]
[0038] 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, and 5-7, in one or more examples, a fastening system 100 for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104 includes a nut member 110, a sleeve member 118, and a bolt member 120. The workpiece 104 has a work side 106 and a blind side 108. The nut member 110 includes a nut bore 112 including internal threads 114. The nut member 110 is configured to position the nut bore 112 over an interface bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102 on the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. The sleeve member 118 includes an outer sleeve surface 202 having a lubricating coating 204 thereon. The sleeve member 118 is configured to be inserted into the interface bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102 from the work side 106 of the workpiece 104. The bolt member 120 includes a head portion 122, a threaded portion 124, and a shank portion 126 extending between the head portion 122 and the threaded portion 124. The bolt member 120 is configured to be inserted into the central bore 206 of the sleeve member 118. The threaded portion 124 is configured to threadably mate with the internal threads 114 of the nut member 110. When the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110, the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 is configured to radially expand the sleeve member 118, which is configured to provide an interference fit 502 within the mating bores 116 through the plurality of substrates 102.
[0014]
[0039] In another example of the fastening system 100, the plurality of substrates 102 includes at least one composite substrate 128. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the nut member 110 is configured to be secured to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. In a further example, the nut member 110 is configured to be secured to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 using mechanical fasteners, swaging, or any other suitable fastening hardware / techniques in any suitable combination.
[0015]
[0040] In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the nut member 110 includes a nut plate assembly 302 with a nut 304 and a flange plate 306 that retains the nut 304. The nut 304 includes a nut bore 112. The flange plate 306 is configured to be secured to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 at the nut bore 112 overlying the interface bores 116 through the plurality of substrates 102. In a further example, the nut 304 is retained by the flange plate 306 spaced apart from a mounting surface 308 of the flange plate 306. In this example, the flange plate 306 includes a counter bore 310 to the mounting surface 308 in relative alignment with the nut bore 112 of the nut 304 and the interface bores 116 of the plurality of substrates 102. The counterbore 310 provides space for the distal end 208 of the sleeve member 118 that protrudes from the mating bore 116 at the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110 .
[0016]
[0041] In yet another example, the fastening system 100 also includes a cap closure member 130 having a dome portion 132 and a cap flange 134. The cap closure member 130 is configured to be disposed over the nut member 110. The cap flange 134 is configured to secure the cap closure member 130 to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104.
[0017]
[0042] In another example of the fastening system 100, the sleeve member 118 includes a malleable metallic material. In a further example, the malleable metallic material includes tin, tin alloys, copper, copper alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, silver, silver alloys, gold, gold alloys, or any other suitable malleable metals in suitable combinations.
[0018]
[0043] In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the lubricous coating 204 includes indium, an indium alloy, tin, a tin alloy, bismuth, a bismuth alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or any other suitable lubricous coating in any suitable combination. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the lubricous coating 204 on the outer sleeve surface 202 includes conductive features configured to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece 104 when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the outer sleeve surface 202 is coated with a conductive coating 210 to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece 104 when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110. In a further example, the conductive coating 210 includes indium, an indium alloy, tin, a tin alloy, lead, a lead alloy, or any other suitable conductive coating in any suitable combination.
[0019]
[0044] In another example of the fastening system 100, the sleeve member 118 also includes an elongated sleeve body 212 and a sleeve flange 216. The elongated sleeve body 212 defines a central bore 206. The elongated sleeve body 212 includes an outer sleeve surface 202, a proximal end 214 toward the working side 106 of the workpiece 104, and a distal end 208 toward the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. The sleeve flange 216 is disposed at the proximal end 214 of the elongated sleeve body 212. The sleeve flange 216 is configured to limit further insertion of the sleeve member 118 into the interface bore 116 through the plurality of substrates 102.
[0020]
[0045] In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the bolt member 120 includes a metallic material. In a further example, the metallic material includes stainless steel, titanium, a titanium alloy, a cobalt chrome alloy, a nickel titanium alloy, or any other suitable metallic material in any suitable combination. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120 includes a torque feature 136. In a further example, the torque feature 136 is configured to facilitate rotation of the bolt member 120 using a hex key torque tool, a cross tip driver torque tool, a flat tip driver torque tool, a hex socket torque tool, or any other suitable torque tool. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120 includes a protruding head, a flat head, a countersunk head, a raised head, a recessed hex socket head, a recessed cross tip head, a recessed flat tip head, a hex head, or any other suitable type of head. In another example of the fastening system 100, the interface bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102 on the work side 106 of the workpiece 104 includes a countersunk portion 402, a counterbored portion 404, a cylindrical portion 406, or any other suitable shape on the work side 106 that is compatible with the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120.
[0021]
[0046] In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the sleeve member 118 also includes an inner sleeve surface 218 and the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 includes an outer shank surface 138. In this example, at least one of the inner sleeve surface 218 and the outer shank surface 138 is coated with a lubricious coating 204.
[0022]
[0047] In yet another example of the fastening system 100, an outer shank diameter of the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 is substantially larger than an inner sleeve diameter of the sleeve member 118. In a further example, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the inner sleeve diameter by about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, about 0.0025 inches, or any other suitable various measurements that substantially expand the sleeve member 118. In another further example, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the inner sleeve diameter by about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, about 1.0 percent, or any suitable percentage that substantially expands the sleeve member 118.
[0023]
[0048] In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the sleeve member 118 also includes a cylindrical sleeve body 220 that defines the central bore 206. The cylindrical sleeve body 220 includes an outer sleeve surface 202, an inner sleeve surface 218 that faces the central bore 206, a proximal end 214 toward the work side 106 of the workpiece 104, and a distal end 208 toward the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. In a further example, the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 includes a cylindrical shank body 140. The cylindrical shank body 140 includes an outer shank surface 138 configured to face the inner sleeve surface 218 of the cylindrical sleeve body 220 when the bolt member 120 is inserted into the central bore 206 and into engagement with the nut member 110.
[0024]
[0049] In a further example, the outer shank diameter of the cylindrical shank body 140 is substantially larger than the inner sleeve diameter of the cylindrical sleeve body 220. In a further example, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the inner sleeve diameter by about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, about 0.0025 inches, or any other suitable various measurements that substantially expand the sleeve member 118. In another further example, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the inner sleeve diameter by about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, about 1.0 percent, or any suitable percentage that substantially expands the sleeve member 118.
[0025]
[0050] In another further example, when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110, the outer sleeve surface 202 is configured to combine with a corresponding cylindrical shape of the mating bore 116 to provide an interference fit 502 within the mating bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102.
[0026]
[0051] In another example of the fastening system 100, the sleeve member 118 also includes an elongated sleeve body 212 that defines a central bore 206. The elongated sleeve body 212 includes an outer sleeve surface 202, an inner sleeve surface 218 that faces the central bore 206, a proximal end 214 toward the working side 106 of the workpiece 104, and a distal end 208 toward the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. In this example, at least the inner sleeve surface 218 tapers from a larger inner sleeve diameter adjacent the proximal end 214 to a smaller inner sleeve diameter adjacent the distal end 208 such that the central bore 206 includes a frusto-conical sleeve bore 602.
[0027]
[0052] In a further example, the outer sleeve surface 202 is cylindrical such that the elongated sleeve body 212 includes a cylindrical sleeve body 220 with a frusto-conical sleeve bore 602. In a further example, the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 includes an elongated shank body 604 with an outer shank surface 138 configured to face the inner sleeve surface 218 when the bolt member 120 is inserted into the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602 and engaged with the nut member 110. In this example, the elongated shank body 604 tapers from a larger outer shank diameter proximate the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120 to a smaller outer shank diameter proximate the threaded portion 124 of the bolt member 120 such that the elongated shank body 604 includes a frusto-conical shank body 606.
[0028]
[0053] In a further example, the outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body 606 is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter that defines the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602. In a further example, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter by about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, about 0.0025 inches, or any other suitable various measurements that substantially expand the sleeve member 118. In another further example, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter by at least one of about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, about 1.0 percent, or any suitable percentage that substantially expands the sleeve member 118.
[0029]
[0054] In another further example, when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110, the outer sleeve surface 202 is configured to combine with a corresponding cylindrical shape of the mating bore 116 to provide an interference fit 608 within the mating bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102.
[0030]
[0055] In another further example, the outer sleeve surface 202 tapers from a larger outer sleeve diameter proximate the proximal end 214 to a smaller outer sleeve diameter proximate the distal end 208 such that the elongated sleeve body 212 comprises a frusto-conical sleeve body 702. In a further example, the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 includes an elongated shank body 604 with an outer shank surface 138 configured to face the inner sleeve surface 218 when the bolt member 120 is inserted into the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602 and engaged with the nut member 110. In this example, the elongated shank body 604 tapers from a larger outer shank diameter proximate the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120 to a smaller outer shank diameter proximate the threaded portion 124 of the bolt member 120 such that the elongated shank body 604 comprises a frusto-conical shank body 606.
[0031]
[0056] In a further example, the outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body 606 is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter that defines the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602. In a further example, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter by about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, about 0.0025 inches, or any other suitable various measurements that substantially expand the sleeve member 118. In another further example, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter by about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, about 1.0 percent, or any suitable percentage that substantially expands the sleeve member 118.
[0032]
[0057] In another further example, when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110, the frusto-conical shank body 606, in combination with the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602 of the frusto-conical sleeve body 702, is configured to radially expand the frusto-conical sleeve body 702, which, in combination with the corresponding frusto-conical shape of the mating bore 116, is configured to provide an interference fit 704 within the mating bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102.
[0033]
[0058] Generally, with reference to, by way of example, FIGS. 1, 2A-B, 3, and 5-17, the present disclosure is directed to methods 800, 1100, 1400 for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104. The workpiece 104 has a working side 106 and a blind side 108. FIGS. 1 and 5-7 disclose an example of a fastening system 100. FIG. 2A shows a side view of an example of a sleeve member 118 of the fastening system 100. FIG. 2B shows a view of the distal end of the sleeve member of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 shows an example of a nut member 110 of the fastening system 100. FIGS. 8-10, 12, 13, and 15-17 disclose various examples of the method 800. FIGS. 8 and 11 disclose various examples of the method 1100. FIGS. 8 and 14 disclose various examples of the method 1400.
[0034]
[0059] 1, 2A-B, 3, 5-10, 12, 13, and 15-17, in one or more examples, a method 800 (see FIG. 8) for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104 having a working side 106 and a blind side 108 includes securing 802 a nut member 110 over a mating bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102 on the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. The nut member 110 includes a nut bore 112 including an internal thread 114. At 804, a sleeve member 118 is inserted into the mating bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102 from the working side 106 of the workpiece 104. The sleeve member 118 includes an outer sleeve surface 202 having a lubricous coating 204 thereon. At 806, the bolt member 120 is inserted into the central bore 206 of the sleeve member 118 until the distal end of the bolt member 120 contacts the nut member 110. The bolt member 120 includes a head portion 122 at a proximal end, a threaded portion 124 at a distal end, and a shank portion 126 extending between the head portion 122 and the threaded portion 124. At 808, the bolt member 120 is rotated to engage the threaded portion 124 with the internal threads 114 of the nut member 110. At 810, once the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110, the sleeve member 118 is radially expanded within the mating bore 116 through the plurality of substrates 102. At 812, when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110, the radial expansion of the sleeve member 118 provides an interference fit 502 within the mating bores 116 through the plurality of substrates 102.
[0035]
[0060] In another example of the method 800, securing 802 the nut member 110 includes securing 902 (see FIG. 9 ) the nut member 110 to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 using mechanical fasteners, swaging, or any other suitable fastening hardware / techniques in any suitable combination.
[0036]
[0061] In yet another example of the method 800, the nut member 110 also includes a nut plate assembly 302. In this example, securing 802 the nut member 110 includes locking and retaining 1002 (see FIG. 10 ) a nut 304 of the nut plate assembly 302 within a flange plate 306 of the nut plate assembly 302. At 1004, the flange plate 306 is secured to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 with the nut bore 112 covering the interface bores 116 through the plurality of substrates 102. In a further example, securing 802 the nut member 110 also includes spacing 1006 the nut 304 of the nut plate assembly 302 from a mounting surface 308 of the flange plate 306. At 1008, a counterbore 310 is provided in the mounting surface 308 of the flange plate 306 in relative alignment with the nut bore 112 of the nut 304 and the interface bores 116 of the plurality of substrates 102. In this example, the counterbore 310 provides space for the distal end 208 of the sleeve member 118 that protrudes from the mating bore 116 at the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110.
[0037]
[0062] 1, 2A-B, 8, and 11, in one or more examples, a method 1100 (see FIG. 11) for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104 includes the method 800 of FIG. 8 and continues from 802 to 1102, where at 1102, a cap closure member 130 is positioned over the nut member 110. The cap closure member 130 includes a dome portion 132 and a cap flange 134. The cap flange 134 is configured to secure the cap closure member 130 to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. In another example, the method 1100 includes applying 1104 a lubricating coating 204 to the outer sleeve surface 202 of the sleeve member 118. In this example, the method 1100 continues from 1104 to 802 of FIG. In a further example of the method 1100, the lubricious coating 204 on the outer sleeve surface 202 includes conductive features configured to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece 104 when the bolt member 120 becomes fully engaged with the nut member 110. In yet another example, the method 1100 includes applying 1106 the conductive coating 210 to the outer sleeve surface 202. In this example, the method 1100 continues from 1106 to 802 of FIG.
[0038]
[0063] 1 , 2A-B , 3 , 5-10 , 12 , 13 , and 15-17 , in yet another example of the method 800, inserting 804 the sleeve member 118 includes limiting 1202 (see FIG. 12 ) further insertion of the sleeve member 118 into the interface bores 116 through the plurality of substrates 102 based on a sleeve flange 216 at a proximal end 214 of the elongated sleeve body 212 of the sleeve member 118. In yet another example of the method 800, rotating 808 the bolt member 120 includes tightening 1302 (see FIG. 13 ) the bolt member 120 into full engagement with the nut member 110.
[0039]
[0064] 1 , 2A-B , 8 and 14 , in one or more examples, a method 1400 (see FIG. 14 ) for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104 includes the method 800 of FIG. 8 and continues from 804 to 1402, where at 1402, a lubricating coating 204 is applied to at least one of the inner sleeve surface 218 of the sleeve member 118 and the outer shank surface 138 of the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120.
[0040]
[0065] Referring again to Figures 1, 2A-B, 3, 5-10, 12, 13 and 15-17, in another example of method 800, an outer shank diameter of the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) is substantially larger than an inner sleeve diameter of the sleeve member (118).
[0041]
[0066] In yet another example of the method 800, the sleeve member 118 also includes a cylindrical sleeve body 220 that defines the central bore 206. The cylindrical sleeve body 220 includes an outer sleeve surface 202, an inner sleeve surface 218 that faces the central bore 206, a proximal end 214 toward the work side 106 of the workpiece 104, and a distal end 208 toward the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. In a further example, the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 includes a cylindrical shank body 140. The cylindrical shank body 140 includes an outer shank surface 138 that is configured to face the inner sleeve surface 218 of the cylindrical sleeve body 220 when the bolt member 120 is inserted into the central bore 206 and into engagement with the nut member 110. In a further example, an outer shank diameter of the cylindrical shank body 140 is substantially larger than an inner sleeve diameter of the cylindrical sleeve body 220. In another further example of the method 800, providing 812 the interference fit 502 includes providing 1502 (see FIG. 15 ) the interference fit 502 within the mating bores 116 through the plurality of substrates 102 in combination with a corresponding cylindrical shape of the mating bores 116 when the bolt member 120 becomes fully engaged with the nut member 110.
[0042]
[0067] In yet another example of the method 800, the sleeve member 118 also includes an elongated sleeve body 212 that defines a central bore 206. The elongated sleeve body 212 includes an outer sleeve surface 202, an inner sleeve surface 218 that faces the central bore 206, a proximal end 214 toward the working side 106 of the workpiece 104, and a distal end 208 toward the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. In this example, at least the inner sleeve surface 218 tapers from a larger inner sleeve diameter adjacent the proximal end 214 to a smaller inner sleeve diameter adjacent the distal end 208 such that the central bore 206 includes a frusto-conical sleeve bore 602.
[0043]
[0068] In a further example, the outer sleeve surface 202 is cylindrical such that the elongated sleeve body 212 includes a cylindrical sleeve body 220 with a frusto-conical sleeve bore 602. In a further example, the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 includes an elongated shank body 604 with an outer shank surface 138 configured to face the inner sleeve surface 218 when the bolt member 120 is inserted into the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602 and engaged with the nut member 110. In this example, the elongated shank body 604 tapers from a larger outer shank diameter proximate the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120 to a smaller outer shank diameter proximate the threaded portion 124 of the bolt member 120 such that the elongated shank body 604 includes a frusto-conical shank body 606. In a further example, the outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body 606 is substantially larger than a corresponding inner sleeve diameter that defines the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602. In another further example of the method 800, providing 812 the interference fit 502 includes providing 1602 (see FIG. 16 ) an interference fit 608 within the mating bores 116 through the plurality of substrates 102 in combination with a corresponding cylindrical shape of the mating bores 116 when the bolt member 120 becomes fully engaged with the nut member 110.
[0044]
[0069] In another further example, the outer sleeve surface 202 tapers from a larger outer sleeve diameter proximate the proximal end 214 to a smaller outer sleeve diameter proximate the distal end 208 such that the elongated sleeve body 212 comprises a frusto-conical sleeve body 702. In a further example, the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 includes an elongated shank body 604 with an outer shank surface 138 configured to face the inner sleeve surface 218 when the bolt member 120 is inserted into the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602 and engaged with the nut member 110. In this example, the elongated shank body 604 tapers from a larger outer shank diameter proximate the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120 to a smaller outer shank diameter proximate the threaded portion 124 of the bolt member 120 such that the elongated shank body 604 comprises a frusto-conical shank body 606. In a further example, an outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body 606 is substantially larger than a corresponding inner sleeve diameter defining the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602. In another further example of the method 800, the radially expanding 810 includes radially expanding 1702 (see FIG. 17 ) the frusto-conical sleeve body 702 in combination with the frusto-conical sleeve bore 602 of the frusto-conical sleeve body 702 when the bolt member 120 becomes fully engaged with the nut member 110. In this example, providing 812 the interference fit 502 includes providing 1704 an interference fit 704 in the interface bores 116 through the plurality of substrates 102 in combination with a corresponding frusto-conical shape of the interface bores 116 when the bolt member 120 becomes fully engaged with the nut member 110.
[0045]
[0070] Generally, with reference to, by way of example, FIGS. 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, and 18, the present disclosure is directed to a fastening system 100 for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104. The workpiece 104 has a working side 106 and a blind side 108. FIGS. 1, 5-7, and 18 disclose examples of the fastening system 100. FIGS. 1 and 18 disclose examples of the fastening system 100. FIG. 2A shows a side view of an example sleeve member 118 of the fastening system 100. FIG. 2B shows a view of the distal end of the sleeve member of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 shows an example nut member 110 of the fastening system 100. FIGS. 4A-C show an example of a mating bore 116 in the workpiece 104 of FIG. 1 with a countersunk portion 402, a counterbored portion 404, and a cylindrical portion 406.
[0046]
[0071] 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, and 18, in one or more examples, a fastening system 100 for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104 includes a nut member 110 and a bolt member 120. The workpiece 104 has a work side 106 and a blind side 108. The nut member 110 includes a nut bore 112 including internal threads 114. The nut member 110 is configured to be positioned over an interface bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102 on the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. The interface bore 116 tapers from a larger interface bore 116 diameter adjacent the work side 106 of the workpiece 104 to a smaller interface bore 116 diameter adjacent the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 such that the interface bore 116 includes a frusto-conical interface bore 1802. The bolt member 120 includes a head portion 122, a threaded portion 124, and a shank portion 126 extending between the head portion 122 and the threaded portion 124. The shank portion 126 includes an elongated shank body 604 with an outer shank surface 138. The elongated shank body 604 tapers from a larger outer shank diameter adjacent the head portion 122 to a smaller outer shank diameter adjacent the threaded portion 124 such that the elongated shank body 604 includes a frustoconical shank body 606. The outer shank surface 138 is coated with a lubricating coating 204. The bolt member 120 is configured to be inserted into a frustoconical mating bore 1802 through the plurality of substrates 102 from the working side 106 of the workpiece 104 and configured to threadably mate with the internal threads 114 of the nut member 110. When the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110, the frusto-conical shank body 606 is configured to combine with the corresponding frusto-conical shape of the frusto-conical mating bore 1802 to provide an interference fit 1802 within the frusto-conical mating bore 1802 through the multiple substrates 102.
[0047]
[0072] In another example of the fastening system 100, the plurality of substrates 102 includes at least one composite substrate 128. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the nut member 110 is configured to be secured to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. In a further example, the nut member 110 is configured to be secured to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 using mechanical fasteners, swaging, or any other suitable fastening hardware / techniques in any suitable combination. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the nut member 110 also includes a nut plate assembly 302 including a nut 304 and a flange plate 306 that retains the nut 304. The nut 304 includes a nut bore 112. The flange plate 306 is configured to be secured to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 with the nut bore 112 over a frusto-conical interface bore 1802 through the plurality of substrates 102.
[0048]
[0073] In yet another example, the fastening system 100 also includes a cap closure member 130 having a dome portion 132 and a cap flange 134. The cap closure member 130 is configured to be positioned over the nut member 110. The cap flange 134 is configured to secure the cap closure member 130 to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. In another example of the fastening system 100, the lubricous coating 204 includes indium, an indium alloy, tin, a tin alloy, bismuth, a bismuth alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or any other suitable lubricous coating in any suitable combination. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the lubricous coating 204 on the outer shank surface 138 includes a conductive feature configured to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece 104 when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the outer shank surface 138 is coated with a conductive coating 210 to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece 104 once the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110. In a further example, the conductive coating 210 includes indium, indium alloy, tin, tin alloy, lead, lead alloy, or any other suitable conductive coating in any suitable combination.
[0049]
[0074] In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the bolt member 120 includes a metallic material. In a further example, the metallic material includes stainless steel, titanium, a titanium alloy, a cobalt chrome alloy, a nickel titanium alloy, or any other suitable metallic material in any suitable combination. In another example of the fastening system 100, the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120 includes a torque feature 136. In a further example, the torque feature 136 is configured to facilitate rotation of the bolt member 120 using a hex key torque tool, a cross tip driver torque tool, a flat tip driver torque tool, a hex socket torque tool, or any other suitable torque tool. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120 includes a protruding head, a flat head, a countersunk head, a raised head, a recessed hex socket head, a recessed cross tip head, a recessed flat tip head, a hex head, or any other suitable type of head.
[0050]
[0075] In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the frusto-conical interface bore 1802 through the plurality of substrates 102 at the work side 106 of the workpiece 104 includes a countersunk portion 402, a counterbored portion 404, a cylindrical portion 406, or any other suitable shape of the work side 106 compatible with the head portion 122 of the bolt member 120. In yet another example of the fastening system 100, the outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body 606 is substantially larger than a corresponding frusto-conical interface bore 1802 diameter that defines the frusto-conical interface bore 1802. In a further example, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding frusto-conical interface bore (1802) diameter by about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, about 0.0025 inches, or any other suitable different measurement that results in an interference fit 1802 within the frusto-conical interface bore 1802. In another example of the fastening system 100, the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding frusto-conical interface bore 1802 diameter by about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, about 1.0 percent, or any other suitable percentage that results in an interference fit 1802 within the frusto-conical interface bore 1802.
[0051]
[0076] Generally, with reference to, by way of example, FIGS. 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, and 18-23, the present disclosure is directed to methods 1900, 2200 for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104. The workpiece 104 has a working side 106 and a blind side 108. FIGS. 1 and 18 disclose an example of a fastening system 100. FIG. 2A shows a side view of an example of a sleeve member 118 of the fastening system 100. FIG. 2B shows a view of the distal end of the sleeve member of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 shows an example of a nut member 110 of the fastening system 100. FIGS. 4A-C show an example of a joining bore 116 in the workpiece 104 of FIG. 1 with a countersunk portion 402, a counterbored portion 404, and a cylindrical portion 406. FIGS. 19-21 and 23 disclose various examples of the method 1900. 19 and 22 disclose various examples of a method 2200.
[0052]
[0077] 1 , 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, 18-21, and 23, in one or more examples, a method 1900 (see FIG. 19) for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104 having a working side 106 and a blind side 108 includes securing 1902 a nut member 110 over an interface bore 116 through the multiple substrates 102 at the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. The nut member 110 includes a nut bore 112 including an internal thread 114. The interface bore 116 tapers from a larger interface bore 116 diameter adjacent the work side 106 of the workpiece 104 to a smaller interface bore 116 diameter adjacent the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 such that the interface bore 116 includes a frusto-conical interface bore 1802. At 1904, the bolt member 120 is inserted into the frusto-conical mating bore 1802 through the plurality of substrates 102 from the work side 106 of the workpiece 104 until the distal end of the bolt member 120 contacts the nut member 110. The bolt member 120 includes a head portion 122 at a proximal end, a threaded portion 124 at a distal end, and a shank portion 126 extending between the head portion 122 and the threaded portion 124. The shank portion 126 tapers from a larger outer shank diameter adjacent the head portion 122 to a smaller outer shank diameter adjacent the threaded portion 124 such that the shank portion 126 includes a frusto-conical shank body 606. The shank portion 126 includes an outer shank surface 138 having a lubricating coating 204 thereon. At 1906, the bolt member 120 is rotated to engage the threaded portion 124 with the internal threads 114 of the nut member 110. At 1908, when the bolt member 120 is fully engaged with the nut member 110 in combination with the corresponding frusto-conical shape of the frusto-conical mating bore 1802, an interference fit 1802 is provided to the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120 within the frusto-conical mating bore 1802 passing through the multiple substrates 102.
[0053]
[0078] In another example of the method 1900, securing 1902 the nut member 110 includes securing 2002 (see FIG. 20 ) the nut member 110 to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 using mechanical fasteners, swaging, or any other suitable fastening hardware / techniques in any suitable combination.
[0054]
[0079] In yet another example of the method 1900, the nut member 110 includes a nut plate assembly 302. In this example, securing 1902 the nut member 110 includes locking 2102 (see FIG. 21 ) a nut 304 of the nut plate assembly 302 within a flange plate 306 of the nut plate assembly 302. At 2104, the flange plate 306 is secured to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104 with the nut bore 112 covering the frusto-conical interface bores 1802 through the plurality of substrates 102.
[0055]
[0080] 1 , 2A-B, 19 and 22, in one or more examples, a method 2200 (see FIG. 22) for joining multiple substrates 102 of a workpiece 104 includes the method 1900 of FIG. 19 and continues from 1902 to 2202, where at 2202, a cap closure member 130 is positioned over the nut member 110. The cap closure member 130 includes a dome portion 132 and a cap flange 134. The cap flange 134 is configured to secure the cap closure member 130 to the blind side 108 of the workpiece 104. In another example, the method 2200 continues from 1902 to 2204, where at 2204, a lubricous coating 204 is applied to an outer shank surface 138 of the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120. In yet another example of the method 2200, the lubricious coating 204 on the outer shank surface 138 includes conductive features configured to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece 104 when the bolt member 120 becomes fully engaged with the nut member 110. In yet another example, the method 2200 continues from 1902 to 2206 where at 2206, a conductive coating 210 is applied to the outer shank surface 138 of the shank portion 126 of the bolt member 120.
[0056]
[0081] 1 , 18-21 and 23 , in another example of the method 1900, rotating 1906 the bolt member 120 includes tightening 2302 the bolt member 120 into full engagement with the nut member 110. In yet another example of the method 1900, an outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body 606 is substantially larger than a corresponding frusto-conical interface bore 1802 diameter defining the frusto-conical interface bore 1802.
[0057]
[0082] The examples of the fastening systems 100 and methods 800, 1100, 1400, 1900, 2200 for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece may be related to or used in conjunction with the manufacture of aircraft. Although an example of an aircraft is shown, the embodiments and principles disclosed herein may also be applied to other products in the aerospace industry and other industries, including automotive, space, building, and other design and manufacturing industries. Thus, in addition to aircraft, the embodiments and principles disclosed herein may be applied to the use of composite products in the manufacture of various types of vehicles and in the construction of various types of buildings.
[0058]
[0083] The foregoing detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments described by the present disclosure. Other embodiments having different structures and steps do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Similar reference numbers may represent the same features, elements, or components in the various drawings. Throughout this disclosure, any of a plurality of items may be individually referred to as that item, and a plurality of items may be collectively referred to as items (plural) and may be represented by similar reference numbers. Furthermore, in this specification, a feature, element, component, or step following the term "a" or "an" is to be understood as not excluding a plurality of features, elements, components, or steps, unless expressly stated to exclude it.
[0059]
[0084] Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples of the inventive subject matter according to the present disclosure may be, but are not necessarily, claimed. Reference herein to an "example" means that one or more features, structures, elements, components, properties, and / or operational steps described in connection with the example are included in at least one aspect, embodiment, and / or realization of the inventive subject matter according to the present disclosure. Thus, the phrases "an example," "another example," "one or more examples," and similar phrases used throughout this disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example. Furthermore, the inventive subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, include the inventive subject matter characterizing any other example. Furthermore, the inventive subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, be combined with the inventive subject matter characterizing any other example.
[0060]
[0085] As used herein, a system, apparatus, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is "configured to" perform a particular function is in fact capable of performing that particular function without any modification, rather than merely having the potential to perform that particular function after further modification. In other words, a system, apparatus, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is "configured to" perform a particular function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and / or designed for the purpose of performing that particular function. As used herein, the phrase "configured to" refers to existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform a particular function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being "configured to" perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being "adapted to" and / or "operative to" perform that function.
[0061]
[0086] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. are used herein merely as labels and are not intended to impose any sequential, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which they refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a "second" item does not require or preclude the presence of, e.g., a "first" or lower numbered item and / or, e.g., a "third" or higher numbered item.
[0062]
[0087] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" used in conjunction with listed items means that various combinations of one or more of the listed items may be utilized and that only one of the listed items may be required. For example, "at least one of item A, item B, and item C" may include, but is not limited to, "item A" or "item A and item B." This example may also include item A, item B, and item C, or item B and item C. In other examples, "at least one of" may be, but is not limited to, for example, "2 item A, 1 item B, and 10 item C," "4 item B, and 7 item C," and other suitable combinations. As used herein, the phrase "and / or" and the indicia " / " include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0063]
[0088] As used herein, the terms "coupled," "coupling," and similar terms refer to two or more elements that are coupled, joined, fastened, attached, connected, in communication with, or otherwise associated (e.g., mechanically, electrically, fluidly, optically, electromagnetically) with one another. In various embodiments, these elements may be directly or indirectly associated. For example, element A may be directly associated with element B. As another example, element A may be associated with element B, e.g., through another element C. It should be understood that not all relationships between the various disclosed elements are necessarily depicted. Thus, other connections than those shown in the figures may exist.
[0064]
[0089] As used herein, the term "approximately" refers to or describes a condition that is close to, but not exactly, a specified condition that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. As an example, the term "about" refers to a condition that is within an acceptable, predetermined tolerance or precision, such as within 10% of a specified condition. However, the term "about" does not exclude a condition that is exactly the specified condition. As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to a condition that is essentially a specified condition that performs a desired function or achieves a desired result.
[0065]
[0090] The above-mentioned Figures 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, 5-7, and 18 may depict functional elements, features, or components thereof, and do not necessarily suggest any particular structure. Thus, modifications, additions, and / or omissions may be made to the illustrated structures. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that not all elements, features, and / or components described and illustrated in the above-mentioned Figures 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, 5-7, and 18 need to be included in every embodiment, and not all elements, features, and / or components described herein are necessarily shown in each illustrative embodiment. Thus, some of the features and / or components described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, 5-7, and 18 may be combined in various ways without necessarily including other features described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, 5-7, 18, other figures, and / or the accompanying disclosure, although such combinations are not expressly set forth herein. Similarly, additional features not limited to the examples presented may be combined with some or all of the features illustrated and described herein. Unless otherwise stated, the schematic diagrams of the examples depicted in Figures 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, 5-7, and 18 do not imply architectural limitations with respect to the exemplary embodiment. Rather, it is to be understood that although one exemplary structure is depicted, the structure may be modified as necessary. Thus, modifications, additions, and / or omissions may be made to the illustrated structures. Additionally, elements, features, and / or components that serve similar or at least substantially similar purposes are similarly numbered in each of Figures 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, 5-7, and 18, and such elements, features, and / or components may not be described in detail herein when referring to each of Figures 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, 5-7, and 18. Similarly, not all elements, features, and / or components may be numbered in each of Figures 1, 2A-B, 3, 4A-C, 5-7, and 18, but their associated reference numbers may be used consistently herein.
[0066]
[0091] In the above-referenced Figures 8-17 and Figures 19-23, the blocks may represent processes, steps, and / or portions thereof, and the lines connecting the various blocks do not imply any particular order or dependency of the processes or portions thereof. It should be understood that not all dependencies between the various disclosed processes are necessarily depicted. Figures 8-17 and Figures 19-23 and the accompanying disclosure describing the steps of the disclosed method described herein should not be construed as necessarily dictating the sequence in which the steps are performed. Rather, it should be understood that even if one exemplary order is shown, the sequence of operations may be changed where appropriate. Thus, modifications, additions, and / or omissions may be made to the illustrated processes, and certain steps may be performed in a different order or simultaneously. Moreover, one skilled in the art will appreciate that it is not necessary to perform all of the steps described.
[0067]
[0092] Furthermore, references to features, advantages, or similar language used throughout this specification do not imply that all features and advantages that may be realized by the embodiments disclosed herein should or will be present in any single embodiment. Rather, language referring to features and advantages is understood to mean that the particular feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, references to features, advantages, and similar language used throughout this disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
[0068]
[0093] Examples of the subject matter disclosed herein may be described in the context of aircraft manufacturing and service method 2400, illustrated in FIG. 24, and aircraft 2500, illustrated in FIG. 25. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed methods and systems for relating test data of a part under test to a coordinate system of an end product may be used in the manufacture of an aircraft. During the pre-production phase, the service method 2400 may include specification and design of the aircraft 2500 (block 2402) and material procurement (block 2404). During the production phase, the manufacture of components and subassemblies of the aircraft 2500 (block 2406) and system integration (block 2408) may occur. The aircraft 2500 may then undergo certification and delivery (block 2410) and be placed into service (block 2412). During its operational life, the aircraft 2500 may be scheduled for routine maintenance and service (block 2414). The routine maintenance and service may include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, etc. of one or more systems of the aircraft 2500.
[0069]
[0094] Each of the processes of maintenance method 2400 may be performed or implemented by a system integrator, a third party, and / or an operator (e.g., a customer). For purposes of this specification, a system integrator includes, but is not limited to, any number of aircraft manufacturers and major system subcontractors, a third party includes, but is not limited to, any number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers, and an operator may be an airline, a leasing company, a military entity, a service organization, etc.
[0070]
[0095] As shown in FIG. 25 , an aircraft 2500 produced by the maintenance method 2400 may include an airframe 2502 having a number of high level systems 2504 and an interior 2506. Examples of high level systems 2504 include one or more of a propulsion system 2508, an electrical system 2510, a hydraulic system 2512, and an environmental system 2514. Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles disclosed herein may be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry. Correspondingly, the principles disclosed herein may be applied to other vehicles (e.g., land vehicles, marine vehicles, space vehicles, etc.) in addition to the aircraft 2500.
[0071]
[0096] The disclosed systems and methods for relating test data of a part under test to a coordinate system of an end product may be employed during any one or more of the stages of manufacturing and service method 2400. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to manufacturing of components and subassemblies (block 2406) may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies manufactured during operation of aircraft 2500 (block 2412). Also, one or more embodiments of one or more systems, one or more methods, or combinations thereof may be utilized during the manufacturing stage (blocks 2406 and 2408), for example, by substantially streamlining or reducing the cost of assembly of aircraft 2500. Similarly, one or more embodiments implementing the systems or methods, or combinations thereof may be utilized, for example but not limited to, during operation of aircraft 2500 (block 2412) and / or during maintenance and service (block 2414).
[0072]
[0097] The described features, advantages, and characteristics of one embodiment may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other embodiments, additional features and advantages may be recognized in a particular embodiment that may not be present in all embodiments. Furthermore, while various examples of fastening systems 100 and methods 800, 1100, 1400, 1900, 2200 for joining multiple substrates of a workpiece have been shown and described, modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. 1. A fastening system (100) for joining multiple substrates (102) of a workpiece (104), the workpiece (104) having a working side (106) and a blind side (108), the fastening system (100) comprising: a nut member (110) including a nut bore (112) with internal threads (114), the nut member (110) configured to position the nut bore (112) over an interface bore (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) on the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104); a sleeve member (118) including an outer sleeve surface (202) having a lubricious coating (204) thereon, the sleeve member (118) being configured to be inserted from the working side (106) of the workpiece (104), through the plurality of substrates (102) and into the mating bores (116); a bolt member (120) including a head portion (122), a threaded portion (124), and a shank portion (126) extending between the head portion (122) and the threaded portion (124), the bolt member (120) configured to be inserted into a central bore (206) of the sleeve member (118), the threaded portion (124) configured to threadably engage the internal threads (114) of the nut member (110); Equipped with 1. A fastening system (100) comprising: a shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) configured to radially expand the sleeve member (118) when the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110), the sleeve member (118) configured to provide an interference fit (502) within the mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102).
2. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of substrates (102) includes at least one composite substrate (128).
3. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the nut member (110) is configured to be secured to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104).
4. The fastening system of claim 3 , wherein the nut member (110) is configured to be secured to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) using at least one of a mechanical fastener and swaging.
5. The nut member (110) further comprises:
1. A nut plate assembly (302) including a nut (304) and a flange plate (306) that retains the nut (304), the nut (304) including the nut bore (112), the flange plate (306) configured to be secured to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) at the nut bore (112) to cover the interface bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102). The fastening system of claim 1 , comprising:
6. The nut (304) retained by the flange plate (306) is spaced apart from a mounting surface (308) of the flange plate (306), and the flange plate (306) is 6. The fastening system of claim 5, further comprising a counterbore (310) into the mounting surface (308) aligned relative to the nut bore (112) of the nut (304) and the mating bores (116) of the plurality of substrates (102), the counterbore (310) configured to provide space for a distal end (208) of the sleeve member (118) protruding from the mating bore (116) at the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) when the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110).
7. moreover, A cap closure member (130) including a dome portion (132) and a cap flange (134), the cap closure member (130) configured for placement over the nut member (110), the cap flange (134) configured to secure the cap closure member (130) to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104). The fastening system of claim 1 , comprising:
8. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve member (118) comprises a malleable metallic material.
9. The fastening system of claim 8 , wherein the malleable metallic material comprises at least one of tin, tin alloys, copper, copper alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, silver, silver alloys, gold, and gold alloys.
10. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the lubricious coating (204) comprises at least one of indium, an indium alloy, tin, a tin alloy, bismuth, a bismuth alloy, aluminum, and an aluminum alloy.
11. 2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the lubricous coating (204) on an outer sleeve surface (202) includes conductive features configured to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece (104) when the bolt member (120) becomes fully engaged with the nut member (110).
12. 2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve surface (202) is coated with a conductive coating (210) to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece (104) when the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110).
13. The fastening system of claim 12, wherein the conductive coating (210) comprises at least one of indium, an indium alloy, tin, a tin alloy, lead, and a lead alloy.
14. The sleeve member (118) further comprises: an elongated sleeve body (212) defining the central bore (206), the elongated sleeve body (212) including the outer sleeve surface (202), a proximal end (214) relative to the working side (106) of the workpiece (104), and a distal end (208) relative to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104); a sleeve flange (216) disposed at the proximal end (214) of the elongated sleeve body (212), the sleeve flange (216) configured to limit further insertion of the sleeve member (118) into the mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102); The fastening system of claim 1 , comprising:
15. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the bolt member (120) comprises a metallic material.
16. The fastening system of claim 15 , wherein the metallic material comprises at least one of stainless steel, titanium, a titanium alloy, a cobalt chromium alloy, and a nickel titanium alloy.
17. The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the head portion (122) of the bolt member (120) includes a torque feature (136).
18. 20. The fastening system of claim 17, wherein the torque feature (136) is configured to facilitate rotation of the bolt member (120) using at least one of a hex key torque tool, a cross tip driver torque tool, a flat tip driver torque tool, and a hex socket torque tool.
19. 2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the head portion (122) of the bolt member (120) comprises at least one of a protruding head, a flat head, a countersunk head, a raised head, a recessed hexagon socket head, a recessed cross tip head, a recessed flat tip head, and a hexagon head.
20. 2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the interface bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) at the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) include at least one of a countersunk portion (402), a counterbored portion (404), and a cylindrical portion (406).
21. 2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve member (118) further comprises an inner sleeve surface (218), the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) comprises an outer shank surface (138), and at least one of the inner sleeve surface (218) and the outer shank surface (138) is coated with the lubricious coating (204).
22. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein an outer shank diameter of the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) is substantially larger than an inner sleeve diameter of the sleeve member (118).
23. 23. The fastening system of claim 22, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the inner sleeve diameter by at least one of about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, and about 0.0025 inches.
24. 23. The fastening system of claim 22, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the inner sleeve diameter by at least one of about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, and about 1.0 percent.
25. The sleeve member (118) further comprises: a cylindrical sleeve body (220) defining the central bore (206), the cylindrical sleeve body (220) including the outer sleeve surface (202), an inner sleeve surface (218) facing the central bore (206), a proximal end (214) relative to the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) and a distal end (208) relative to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104); The fastening system of claim 1 , comprising:
26. The shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) is a cylindrical shank body (140) including an outer shank surface (138) configured to face the inner sleeve surface (218) of the cylindrical sleeve body (220) when the bolt member (120) is inserted into the central bore (206) and into engagement with the nut member (110); 26. The fastening system of claim 25, comprising:
27. 27. The fastening system of claim 26, wherein an outer shank diameter of the cylindrical shank body (140) is substantially larger than an inner sleeve diameter of the cylindrical sleeve body (220).
28. 28. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the inner sleeve diameter by at least one of about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, and about 0.0025 inches.
29. 28. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the inner sleeve diameter by at least one of about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, and about 1.0 percent.
30. 27. The fastening system of claim 26, wherein the outer sleeve surface (202) is configured to combine with a corresponding cylindrical shape of the mating bore (116) to provide the interference fit (502) within the mating bore (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) when the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110).
31. The sleeve member (118) further comprises: an elongated sleeve body (212) defining the central bore (206), the elongated sleeve body (212) including the outer sleeve surface (202), an inner sleeve surface (218) facing the central bore (206), a proximal end (214) relative to the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) and a distal end (208) relative to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104); Equipped with 2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein at least the inner sleeve surface (218) tapers from a larger inner sleeve diameter adjacent the proximal end (214) to a smaller inner sleeve diameter adjacent the distal end (208) such that the central bore (206) includes a frusto-conical sleeve bore (602).
32. 32. The fastening system of claim 31, wherein the outer sleeve surface (202) is cylindrical such that the elongated sleeve body (212) includes a cylindrical sleeve body (220) with the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602).
33. The shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) is an elongated shank body (604) including an outer shank surface (138) configured to face the inner sleeve surface (218) when the bolt member (120) is inserted into the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602) and into engagement with the nut member (110); Equipped with 33. The fastening system of claim 32, wherein the elongated shank body (604) tapers from a larger outer shank diameter adjacent the head portion (122) of the bolt member (120) to a smaller outer shank diameter adjacent the threaded portion (124) of the bolt member (120) such that the elongated shank body (604) comprises a frusto-conical shank body (606).
34. 34. The fastening system of claim 33, wherein an outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body (606) is substantially greater than a corresponding inner sleeve diameter defining the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602).
35. 35. The fastening system of claim 34, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter by at least one of about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, and about 0.0025 inches.
36. 35. The fastening system of claim 34, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter by at least one of about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, and about 1.0 percent.
37. 34. The fastening system of claim 33, wherein the outer sleeve surface (202) is configured to combine with a corresponding cylindrical shape of the mating bore (116) to provide the interference fit (608) within the mating bore (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) when the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110).
38. 32. The fastening system of claim 31, wherein the outer sleeve surface (202) tapers from a larger outer sleeve diameter proximate the proximal end (214) to a smaller outer sleeve diameter proximate the distal end (208) such that the elongated sleeve body (212) comprises a frusto-conical sleeve body (702).
39. The shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) is an elongated shank body (604) including an outer shank surface (138) configured to face the inner sleeve surface (218) when the bolt member (120) is inserted into the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602) and into engagement with the nut member (110); Equipped with 40. The fastening system of claim 38, wherein the elongated shank body (604) tapers from a larger outer shank diameter adjacent the head portion (122) of the bolt member (120) to a smaller outer shank diameter adjacent the threaded portion (124) of the bolt member (120) such that the elongated shank body (604) comprises a frusto-conical shank body (606).
40. 40. The fastening system of claim 39, wherein an outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body (606) is substantially greater than a corresponding inner sleeve diameter defining the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602).
41. 41. The fastening system of claim 40, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter by at least one of about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, and about 0.0025 inches.
42. 41. The fastening system of claim 40, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding inner sleeve diameter by at least one of about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, and about 1.0 percent.
43. 40. The fastening system of claim 39, wherein the frusto-conical shank body (606) in combination with the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602) of the frusto-conical sleeve body (702) is configured to radially expand the frusto-conical sleeve body (702) when the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110), and the frusto-conical sleeve body (702) in combination with a corresponding frusto-conical shape of the mating bore (116) is configured to provide the interference fit (704) within the mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102).
44. A method (800) for joining multiple substrates (102) of a workpiece (104), the workpiece (104) having a working side (106) and a blind side (108), the method (800) comprising: fastening (802) a nut member (110) over mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) at the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104), the nut member (110) including a nut bore (112) with an internal thread (114); inserting (804) a sleeve member (118) from the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) into the mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102), the sleeve member (118) including an outer sleeve surface (202) having a lubricious coating (204); inserting (806) the bolt member (120) into the central bore (206) of the sleeve member (118) until a distal end of the bolt member (120) contacts the nut member (110), the bolt member (120) including a head portion (122) at a proximal end, a threaded portion (124) at the distal end, and a shank portion (126) extending between the head portion (122) and the threaded portion (124); rotating (808) the bolt member (120) to engage the threaded portion (124) with the internal threads (114) of the nut member (110); radially expanding (810) the sleeve member (118) within the mating bores (116) through the plurality of base plates (102) once the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110); providing (812) an interference fit (502) with the sleeve member (118) within the mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) in response to radial expansion of the sleeve member (118) when the bolt member (120) becomes fully engaged with the nut member (110); The method (800).
45. The step of fastening (802) the nut member (110) comprises: fastening (902) the nut member (110) to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) using at least one of a mechanical fastener and swaging; 45. The method of claim 44, comprising:
46. The nut member (110) further includes a nut plate assembly (302), and the fastening (802) of the nut member (110) includes: retaining (1002) a nut (304) of the nut plate assembly (302) within a flange plate (306) of the nut plate assembly (302); fastening (1004) the flange plate (306) to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) with the nut bores (112) so as to cover the interface bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102); 45. The method of claim 44, comprising:
47. The step of fastening (802) the nut member (110) further comprises: space (1006) the nut (304) of the nut plate assembly (302) from a mounting surface (308) of the flange plate (306); providing (1008) a counterbore (310) in the mounting surface (308) of the flange plate (306) in relative alignment with the nut bore (112) of the nut (304) and the interface bores (116) of the plurality of substrates (102); Including, 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the counterbore (310) provides space for a distal end (208) of the sleeve member (118) protruding from the mating bore (116) at the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) when the bolt member (120) becomes fully engaged with the nut member (110).
48. moreover, Positioning (1102) a cap closure member (130) over the nut member (110), the cap closure member (130) including a dome portion (132) and a cap flange (134) configured to secure the cap closure member (130) to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104).
45. The method of claim 44, comprising:
49. moreover, applying (1104) the lubricious coating (204) to the outer sleeve surface (202) of the sleeve member (118); 45. The method of claim 44, comprising:
50. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the lubricous coating (204) on the outer sleeve surface (202) includes conductive features configured to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece (104) when the bolt member (120) becomes fully engaged with the nut member (110).
51. moreover, Applying (1106) a conductive coating (210) to the outer sleeve surface (202).
45. The method of claim 44, comprising:
52. The inserting (804) of the sleeve member (118) comprises: restricting (1202) further insertion of the sleeve member (118) into the mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) based on a sleeve flange (216) at a proximal end (214) of an elongated sleeve body (212) of the sleeve member (118).
45. The method of claim 44, comprising:
53. The rotating (808) of the bolt member (120) comprises: Tightening (1302) the bolt member (120) so as to fully engage with the nut member (110).
45. The method of claim 44, comprising:
54. moreover, applying (1402) the lubricous coating (204) to at least one of an inner sleeve surface (218) of the sleeve member (118) and an outer shank surface (138) of the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120); 45. The method of claim 44, comprising:
55. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein an outer shank diameter of the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) is substantially larger than an inner sleeve diameter of the sleeve member (118).
56. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the sleeve member (118) further comprises a cylindrical sleeve body (220) defining the central bore (206), the cylindrical sleeve body (220) including the outer sleeve surface (202), an inner sleeve surface (218) facing the central bore (206), a proximal end (214) relative to the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) and a distal end (208) relative to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104).
57. 57. The method of claim 56, wherein the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) includes a cylindrical shank body (140) including an outer shank surface (138) configured to face the inner sleeve surface (218) of the cylindrical sleeve body (220) when the bolt member (120) is inserted into the central bore (206) and into engagement with the nut member (110).
58. 58. The method of claim 57, wherein an outer shank diameter of the cylindrical shank body (140) is substantially larger than an inner sleeve diameter of the cylindrical sleeve body (220).
59. The providing (812) of the interference fit (502) may include: When the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110), it combines with a corresponding cylindrical shape of the mating bores (116) to provide the interference fit (502) within the mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) (1502).
58. The method of claim 57, comprising:
60. the sleeve member (118) further comprises an elongate sleeve body (212) defining the central bore (206), the elongate sleeve body (212) including the outer sleeve surface (202), an inner sleeve surface (218) facing the central bore (206), a proximal end (214) relative to the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) and a distal end (208) relative to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104); 45. The method of claim 44, wherein at least the inner sleeve surface (218) tapers from a larger inner sleeve diameter adjacent the proximal end (214) to a smaller inner sleeve diameter adjacent the distal end (208) such that the central bore (206) includes a frusto-conical sleeve bore (602).
61. 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the outer sleeve surface (202) is cylindrical such that the elongated sleeve body (212) includes a cylindrical sleeve body (220) with the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602).
62. the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) includes an elongated shank body (604) with an outer shank surface (138) configured to face the inner sleeve surface (218) when the bolt member (120) is inserted into the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602) and into engagement with the nut member (110); 62. The method of claim 61, wherein the elongated shank body (604) tapers from a larger outer shank diameter adjacent the head portion (122) of the bolt member (120) to a smaller outer shank diameter adjacent the threaded portion (124) of the bolt member (120) such that the elongated shank body (604) comprises a frusto-conical shank body (606).
63. 63. The method of claim 62, wherein an outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body (606) is substantially greater than a corresponding inner sleeve diameter defining the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602).
64. The providing (812) of the interference fit (502) may include: When the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110), it combines with a corresponding cylindrical shape of the mating bores (116) to provide the interference fit (608) within the mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) (1602).
63. The method of claim 62, comprising:
65. 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the outer sleeve surface (202) tapers from a larger outer sleeve diameter adjacent the proximal end (214) to a smaller outer sleeve diameter adjacent the distal end (208) such that the elongated sleeve body (212) comprises a frusto-conical sleeve body (702).
66. the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) includes an elongated shank body (604) with an outer shank surface (138) configured to face the inner sleeve surface (218) when the bolt member (120) is inserted into the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602) and into engagement with the nut member (110); 66. The method of claim 65, wherein the elongated shank body (604) tapers from a larger outer shank diameter adjacent the head portion (122) of the bolt member (120) to a smaller outer shank diameter adjacent the threaded portion (124) of the bolt member (120) such that the elongated shank body (604) comprises a frusto-conical shank body (606).
67. 67. The method of claim 66, wherein an outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body (606) is substantially greater than a corresponding inner sleeve diameter defining the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602).
68. The radially expanding (810) may include: radially expanding (1702) the frusto-conical sleeve body (702) in combination with the frusto-conical sleeve bore (602) once the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110); Including, The providing (812) of the interference fit (502) may include: When the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110), it combines with a corresponding frusto-conical shape of the mating bore (116) to provide the interference fit (704) within the mating bores (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) (1704).
67. The method of claim 66, comprising:
69. 1. A fastening system (100) for joining multiple substrates (102) of a workpiece (104), the workpiece (104) having a working side (106) and a blind side (108), the fastening system (100) comprising: a nut member (110) including a nut bore (112) with internal threads (114), said nut member (110) configured to be positioned over an interface bore (116) through said plurality of substrates (102) at said blind side (108) of said workpiece (104), said interface bore (116) tapering from a larger interface bore (116) diameter adjacent said working side (106) of said workpiece (104) to a smaller interface bore (116) diameter adjacent said blind side (108) of said workpiece (104) such that said interface bore (116) includes a frusto-conical interface bore (1802); A bolt member (120) including a head portion (122), a threaded portion (124), and a shank portion (126) extending between said head portion (122) and said threaded portion (124), said shank portion (126) including an elongated shank body (604) with an outer shank surface (138), said elongated shank body (604) having a larger outer shank diameter adjacent said head portion (122) such that said elongated shank body (604) includes a frusto-conical shank body (606). a bolt member (120) tapering from a threaded portion (124) to a smaller outer shank diameter proximate the threaded portion (124), the outer shank surface (138) being coated with a lubricating coating (204), the bolt member (120) configured to be inserted from the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) into the frusto-conical mating bores (1802) through the plurality of substrates (102) and configured to threadably engage the internal threads (114) of the nut member (110); Equipped with A fastening system (100), wherein the frusto-conical shank body (606) is configured to provide an interference fit (1802) within the frusto-conical mating bores (1802) through the plurality of substrates (102) in combination with a corresponding frusto-conical shape of the frusto-conical mating bores (1802) when the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110).
70. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein the plurality of substrates (102) includes at least one composite substrate (128).
71. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein the nut member (110) is configured to be secured to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104).
72. 72. The fastening system of claim 71, wherein the nut member (110) is configured to be secured to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) using at least one of a mechanical fastener and swaging.
73. The nut member (110) further includes:
1. A nut plate assembly (302) including a nut (304) and a flange plate (306) that retains the nut (304), the nut (304) including the nut bore (112), the flange plate (306) configured to be secured to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) at the nut bore (112) to cover the frusto-conical mating bores (1802) through the plurality of substrates (102).
70. The fastening system of claim 69, comprising:
74. moreover, A cap closure member (130) including a dome portion (132) and a cap flange (134), the cap closure member (130) configured for placement over the nut member (110), the cap flange (134) configured to secure the cap closure member (130) to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104).
70. The fastening system of claim 69, comprising:
75. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein the lubricious coating (204) comprises at least one of indium, an indium alloy, tin, a tin alloy, bismuth, a bismuth alloy, aluminum, and an aluminum alloy.
76. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein the lubricous coating (204) on the outer shank surface (138) includes conductive features configured to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece (104) when the bolt member (120) becomes fully engaged with the nut member (110).
77. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein the outer shank surface (138) is coated with a conductive coating (210) to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece (104) when the bolt member (120) becomes fully engaged with the nut member (110).
78. 80. The fastening system of claim 77, wherein the conductive coating (210) comprises at least one of indium, an indium alloy, tin, a tin alloy, lead, and a lead alloy.
79. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein the bolt member (120) comprises a metallic material.
80. 80. The fastening system of claim 79, wherein the metallic material comprises at least one of stainless steel, titanium, a titanium alloy, a cobalt chromium alloy, and a nickel titanium alloy.
81. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein the head portion (122) of the bolt member (120) includes a torque feature (136).
82. 82. The fastening system of claim 81, wherein the torque feature (136) is configured to facilitate rotation of the bolt member (120) using at least one of a hex key torque tool, a cross tip driver torque tool, a flat tip driver torque tool, and a hex socket torque tool.
83. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein the head portion (122) of the bolt member (120) comprises at least one of a protruding head, a flat head, a countersunk head, a raised head, a recessed hexagon socket head, a recessed cross tip head, a recessed flat tip head, and a hexagon head.
84. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein the frusto-conical mating bores (1802) through the plurality of substrates (102) at the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) include at least one of a countersunk portion (402), a counterbored portion (404), and a cylindrical portion (406).
85. 70. The fastening system of claim 69, wherein an outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body (606) is substantially larger than a corresponding frusto-conical interface bore (1802) diameter defining the frusto-conical interface bore (1802).
86. 86. The fastening system of claim 85, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding frusto-conical mating bore (1802) diameter by at least one of about 0.0005 inches, about 0.0010 inches, about 0.0015 inches, about 0.0020 inches, and about 0.0025 inches.
87. 86. The fastening system of claim 85, wherein the outer shank diameter is substantially larger than the corresponding frusto-conical mating bore (1802) by at least one of about 0.2 percent, about 0.4 percent, about 0.6 percent, about 0.8 percent, and about 1.0 percent.
88. 1. A method (1900) for joining multiple substrates (102) of a workpiece (104), the workpiece (104) having a working side (106) and a blind side (108), the method (1900) comprising: fastening (1902) a nut member (110) over an interface bore (116) through the plurality of substrates (102) at the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104), the nut member (110) including a nut bore (112) with an internal thread (114), the interface bore (116) tapering from a larger interface bore (116) diameter adjacent the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) to a smaller interface bore (116) diameter adjacent the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104), such that the interface bore (116) includes a frusto-conical interface bore (1802); Inserting (1904) a bolt member (120) into the frusto-conical mating bore (1802) through the plurality of substrates (102) from the working side (106) of the workpiece (104) until a distal end of the bolt member (120) contacts the nut member (110), the bolt member (120) having a head portion (122) at a proximal end, a threaded portion (124) at a distal end, and a shank portion (126) extending between the head portion (122) and the threaded portion (124). inserting (1904) the bolt member (120), the shank portion (126) comprising a frusto-conical shank body (606), the shank portion (126) tapering from a larger outer shank diameter adjacent the head portion (122) to a smaller outer shank diameter adjacent the threaded portion (124), the shank portion (126) comprising an outer shank surface (138) having a lubricious coating (204); rotating (1906) the bolt member (120) to engage the threaded portion (124) with the internal threads (114) of the nut member (110); providing (1908) an interference fit (1802) on the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120) within the frusto-conical mating bore (1802) through the plurality of base plates (102) when the bolt member (120) is fully engaged with the nut member (110) in combination with a corresponding frusto-conical shape of the frusto-conical mating bore (1802); The method (1900),
89. The step of fastening (1902) the nut member (110) includes: fastening (2002) the nut member (110) to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) using at least one of a mechanical fastener and swaging; 89. The method of claim 88, comprising:
90. The nut member (110) includes a nut plate assembly (302), and the fastening (1902) of the nut member (110) comprises: retaining (2102) a nut (304) of the nut plate assembly (302) within a flange plate (306) of the nut plate assembly (302); fastening (2104) the flange plate (306) to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104) with the nut bores (112) so as to cover the frusto-conical mating bores (1802) through the plurality of substrates (102); 89. The method of claim 88, comprising:
91. moreover, placing (2202) a cap closure member (130) over the nut member (110), the cap closure member (130) including a dome portion (132) and a cap flange (134) configured to secure the cap closure member (130) to the blind side (108) of the workpiece (104); The method (2200) of claim 88.
92. moreover, applying (2204) the lubricous coating (204) to the outer shank surface (138) of the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120); 89. The method of claim 88, comprising:
93. 90. The method of claim 88, wherein the lubricous coating (204) on the outer shank surface (138) includes conductive features configured to provide electromagnetic energy protection to the workpiece (104) when the bolt member (120) becomes fully engaged with the nut member (110).
94. moreover, applying (2206) a conductive coating (210) to the outer shank surface (138) of the shank portion (126) of the bolt member (120); 89. The method of claim 88, comprising:
95. The rotating (1906) of the bolt member (120) comprises: Tightening (2302) the bolt member (120) so as to fully engage the nut member (110).
89. The method of claim 88, comprising:
96. 90. The method of claim 88, wherein an outer shank diameter of the frusto-conical shank body (606) is substantially larger than a corresponding frusto-conical mating bore (1802) diameter defining the frusto-conical mating bore (1802).