High-Temperature Mounting Clip for Thermal Expansion Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for securing components during high-temperature processes, such as thermal spraying, fail to reliably retain the components due to thermal expansion and deformation, leading to potential damage and increased costs from component replacement.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system comprising an outer clip and an inner clip that interlock to secure clamshell halves of a mounting device, utilizing bowed sections and thermal expansion properties to maintain secure fastening during high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing fastening systems are used to secure components during high-temperature processes, then the components can be retained in place, but thermal expansion and deformation cause the fastening to fail, leading to component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system utilizes thermal expansion by designing clips with bowed sections that expand outward when heated, increasing the clamping force on the component. The bowed sections are specifically engineered to expand in a direction that enhances retention, transforming the harmful thermal expansion into a beneficial tightening mechanism that maintains reliable fastening at high temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The clips incorporate bowed sections that dynamically adjust their shape in response to temperature changes. As temperature increases, the bowed sections expand and reshape to maintain optimal contact pressure with the component, allowing the fastening system to adapt to thermal conditions rather than remaining static
2Reliability
If conventional fastening methods are used, then components can be secured, but thermal deformation leads to fastening failure and increased replacement costs
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system incorporates a safety factor through its bowed section design that anticipates thermal expansion. The clips are pre-configured with extra material in the bowed sections that will expand during heating, ensuring that sufficient clamping force is maintained throughout the thermal process without causing damage to the component or requiring replacement
3Device complexity
If simple fastening systems are used, then the structure remains simple, but they cannot prevent thermal expansion from causing fastening failure
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into modular clips that can be independently applied to different locations on the component. Each clip is a self-contained unit with its own bowed sections, allowing the system to maintain simplicity at the component level while achieving reliable fastening through multiple distributed attachment points
Solution Approach 2:
The clips utilize controlled geometric changes in the bowed sections in response to temperature. This passive, geometry-based approach to handling thermal expansion avoids the need for complex active control mechanisms, sensors, or adjustable components, maintaining structural simplicity while ensuring reliable fastening security
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 effectively retains components during high-temperature processes, preventing damage and enabling reuse, thus reducing material and labor costs by ensuring reliable fastening and ease of disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
each of the outer clip arms expand during the high-temperature process in an outboard direction to push against the first tab and the second tab with an increased force relative to a force exerted by the outer clip arms in the outboard direction prior to the high-temperature process
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening system for securing a mounting tool configured to retain a component that is to undergo a high-temperature process. The mounting tool has a first portion having a first tab with a first slot and a second portion having a second tab with a second slot. The fastening system comprises an outer clip including outer clip arms and a central portion. The outer clip arms have a gap therebetween. The central portion protrudes into the gap. The fastening system includes an inner clip including inner clip arms. The inner clip is pushed into the gap such that each inner clip arm contacts and pushes one outer clip arm towards the first tab and the second tab. When the fastening system is inserted into the first slot and the second slot, the fastening system limits relative movement between the first tab and the second tab.