Composite Tubular Joint With Self-Locking Teeth for Leak-Safe Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional joining methods for composite tubular segments in aircraft water collectors cause stress concentrations and increase the risk of damage, leakage, and compromise smooth internal flow due to the use of radial fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A fastener-free joining system using obliquely angled teeth on tubular components that engage under axial load, supplemented by an external ring for contact pressure, eliminates the need for adhesion and fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If radial fasteners are used to join composite tubular segments, then the joint strength and load transfer capability are improved, but stress concentrations in the composite parts increase leading to higher damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful radial fasteners from the composite structure entirely. Instead of penetrating the composite walls with metallic fasteners that create stress concentrations, the invention uses a fastener-free interlocking tooth mechanism that engages the composite segments without penetration, thereby eliminating the source of stress concentrations and damage risk while maintaining joint strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary toothed coupling mechanism that mediates the connection between composite segments. The interlocking teeth act as a mediator that transfers loads between segments through a distributed contact mechanism rather than concentrated fastener points, eliminating stress concentrations while maintaining joint strength and load transfer capability.
2Strength
If radial fasteners are used to join composite tubular segments, then the joint strength is improved, but leakage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes radial fasteners that penetrate the composite walls, eliminating the pathways they create for potential leakage. The fastener-free toothed interlocking mechanism maintains joint strength through mechanical engagement without creating penetration points that could compromise the integrity of the composite structure and lead to leakage.
3Strength
If radial fasteners are used to join composite tubular segments, then the joint strength is improved, but the smoothness of internal surfaces is compromised affecting flow performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes radial fasteners that protrude into the internal flow path, eliminating the obstacles they create to fluid flow. The fastener-free toothed coupling mechanism engages externally or through the wall thickness without protruding into the internal bore, thereby maintaining smooth internal surfaces and optimal flow performance while still providing strong joint connection.
4Reliability
If a fastener-free toothed joining system is used, then stress concentrations are reduced and leakage risks are minimized, but the resistance to axial tension requires sophisticated tooth geometry design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric tooth geometry where the tooth profiles are specifically designed with oblique angles relative to the segment axis. This asymmetric design creates self-locking engagement that naturally resists axial tension forces without requiring additional fasteners or complex external reinforcement, thereby reducing damage risk while managing the inherent geometric complexity through purposeful asymmetric design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific geometric parameters of the teeth, such as the oblique angle relative to the segment axis, to achieve self-locking engagement. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the design achieves high resistance to axial tension and radial expansion while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, thus managing device complexity through parameter optimization.
5Reliability
If oblique teeth are used to prevent disengagement under axial tension, then the joint reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric oblique tooth design provides inherent self-aligning characteristics during assembly. The oblique angles create natural guidance that helps the teeth engage correctly, reducing the stringency of alignment requirements compared to perpendicular or symmetric tooth designs. This maintains high joint reliability while being more tolerant of manufacturing variations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides robust resistance against radial and axial expansions, reduces stress concentrations, minimizes leakage risks, and maintains smooth internal flow, enhancing the reliability and performance of composite joints.
Implementation Method 1
Each tooth of the first plurality of teeth can be oblique relative to the axis by an angle α to prevent disengagement of the first component from the second component under axial tension
Implementation Method 2
The first plurality of teeth is configured to engage with a plurality of complimentary teeth defined in a second free end of a second tubular shell-type component
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener free joining system includes a first tubular shell component having a first plurality of teeth defined in a first free end, each tooth extending along a respective tooth axis oblique to an axis of the first component by an angle α. The first plurality of teeth is configured to engage with a plurality of complimentary teeth defined in a second free end of a second tubular shell component, such that, when engaged, the first plurality of teeth is configured to remain engaged with the plurality of complimentary teeth under axial load.