Thermally Stabilized Fastener Assembly With Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally stabilized fastener systems fail to accurately control and tailor the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) across multiple axes, leading to issues with clamping load consistency under temperature changes, resulting in loosening or over-tightening of fasteners, which causes fatigue and equipment failure in various industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of a thermally stabilized fastener system that incorporates a tailored temperature compensating member (TCM) with a controlled thermal expansion coefficient, complementing the thermal expansion characteristics of conventional fasteners and retention members, ensuring a constant mechanical load across temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used without thermal compensation, then the fastener system is simple and easy to manufacture, but the clamping load becomes inconsistent under temperature changes causing fastener loosening or over-tightening
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature compensating member (TCM) is introduced as an intermediary component between the fastener and the retained member. The TCM has a controlled coefficient of thermal expansion that compensates for the thermal expansion of the retained member, thereby maintaining consistent clamping load across temperature variations without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The coefficient of thermal expansion of the temperature compensating member is specifically controlled and tailored to match or complement the thermal expansion characteristics of the retained member. By changing the thermal parameter (CTE) of the TCM, the system achieves thermal compensation and maintains reliable fastening under temperature changes
2Reliability
If a tailored temperature compensating member with controlled CTE is incorporated, then clamping load consistency is maintained across temperature changes, but the fastener system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature compensating member is integrated with either the fastener or the retained member to form a combined assembly. This merging reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining the thermal compensation function, as the TCM becomes part of the existing fastener system rather than a completely separate addition
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature compensating member serves multiple functions: it provides thermal compensation for clamping load consistency, maintains mechanical connection between components, and can be designed to accommodate both the fastener and retained member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components
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
This solution maintains a consistent clamping force across temperature changes, reducing the risk of fastener failure and enhancing the reliability and efficiency of mechanical systems by compensating for the natural expansion and contraction of materials, thereby improving safety and performance in industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
a tailored temperature compensating member (TCM) with a controlled thermal expansion coefficient, complementing the thermal expansion characteristics of conventional fasteners and retention members
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally stabilized fastener system and method is disclosed. The disclosed system/method integrates a fastener (FAS) incorporating a faster retention head (FRH), fastener retention body (FRB), and fastener retention tip (FRT) to couple a mechanical member stack (MMS) in a thermally stabilized fashion using a fastener retention receiver (FRR). The MMS includes a temperature compensating member (TCM), a first retention member (FRM), and an optional second retention member (SRM). The TCM is constructed using a tailored thermal expansion coefficient (TTC) that permits the TCM to compensate for the thermal expansion characteristics of the FAS, FRM, and SRM such that the force applied by the FRH and FRR portions of the FAS to the MMS is tailored to a specific temperature force profile (TFP) over changes in MMS/FAS temperature. The TCM may be selected with a TTC to achieve a uniform TFP over changes in MMS/FAS temperature.