GB2053766A - Improvements in or relating to mounting connectors on elongate members - Google Patents
Improvements in or relating to mounting connectors on elongate members Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2053766A GB2053766A GB7925667A GB7925667A GB2053766A GB 2053766 A GB2053766 A GB 2053766A GB 7925667 A GB7925667 A GB 7925667A GB 7925667 A GB7925667 A GB 7925667A GB 2053766 A GB2053766 A GB 2053766A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- elongate member
- connector
- tube
- adhesive
- tubular portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 60
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 60
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 229920000647 polyepoxide Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 50
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 12
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000002788 crimping Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Alumina Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetone Chemical compound CC(C)=O CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910001069 Ti alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- KRVSOGSZCMJSLX-UHFFFAOYSA-L chromic acid Substances O[Cr](O)(=O)=O KRVSOGSZCMJSLX-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000008367 deionised water Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- AWJWCTOOIBYHON-UHFFFAOYSA-N furo[3,4-b]pyrazine-5,7-dione Chemical compound C1=CN=C2C(=O)OC(=O)C2=N1 AWJWCTOOIBYHON-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000001117 sulphuric acid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010791 quenching Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000171 quenching effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon carbide Chemical compound [Si+]#[C-] HBMJWWWQQXIZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910010271 silicon carbide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920002430 Fibre-reinforced plastic Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000011151 fibre-reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002990 reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 23
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 23
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005238 degreasing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000266 injurious effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001095 light aluminium alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000011089 mechanical engineering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001225 polyester resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004645 polyester resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L13/00—Non-disconnectible pipe-joints, e.g. soldered, adhesive or caulked joints
- F16L13/14—Non-disconnectible pipe-joints, e.g. soldered, adhesive or caulked joints made by plastically deforming the material of the pipe, e.g. by flanging, rolling
- F16L13/16—Non-disconnectible pipe-joints, e.g. soldered, adhesive or caulked joints made by plastically deforming the material of the pipe, e.g. by flanging, rolling the pipe joint consisting of overlapping extremities having mutually co-operating collars
- F16L13/161—Non-disconnectible pipe-joints, e.g. soldered, adhesive or caulked joints made by plastically deforming the material of the pipe, e.g. by flanging, rolling the pipe joint consisting of overlapping extremities having mutually co-operating collars the pipe or collar being deformed by crimping or rolling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D39/00—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders
- B21D39/04—Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating; Tube expanders of tubes with tubes; of tubes with rods
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B11/00—Connecting constructional elements or machine parts by sticking or pressing them together, e.g. cold pressure welding
- F16B11/006—Connecting constructional elements or machine parts by sticking or pressing them together, e.g. cold pressure welding by gluing
- F16B11/008—Connecting constructional elements or machine parts by sticking or pressing them together, e.g. cold pressure welding by gluing of tubular elements or rods in coaxial engagement
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C7/00—Connecting-rods or like links pivoted at both ends; Construction of connecting-rod heads
- F16C7/02—Constructions of connecting-rods with constant length
- F16C7/026—Constructions of connecting-rods with constant length made of fibre reinforced resin
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
- H01H33/02—Details
- H01H33/42—Driving mechanisms
- H01H2033/426—Details concerning the connection of the isolating driving rod to a metallic part
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Mutual Connection Of Rods And Tubes (AREA)
Abstract
A connector to be mounted on a rod tube 1 of carbon and/or glass fibre reinforced thermosetting material such as epoxy resin comprises a tubular portion 3 which is crimped onto the end of the tube 1, therebeing a structural adhesive of great shear strength between the tubular portion 3 and the tube 1. The connector unit includes a further connector portion which comprises a flattened portion to be drilled to accommodate bolts, although the further connector portion may comprise a threaded boss or another tubular part to enable two fibre reinforced tubes to be connected end-to-end. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Improvements in or relating to connectors
This invention relates to connections, and more particularly to connections between elongated members of carbon fibre reinforced thermosetting resin, particularly epoxy resin, material or glass fibre reinforced thermosetting resin especially epoxy resin, material, and to hybrids containing both glass and carbon fibres.
Rods, tubes and other sections made of carbon fibre reinforced and glass fibre reinforced epoxy pherolic and polyester resin materials are commercially available. These sections have a high axial strength, this axial strength being greater than or equal to that of steel. The carbon fibre reinforced sections also have a stiffness which is equal to the stiffness of steel, but the density of the sections is approximately one quarter the density of steel.
One problem that has been encountered with such sections is the problem of connecting the sections together in the formation of a framework or structure. it is to be appreciated that there are many possible applications and uses for such sections in civil and mechanical engineering, but in most such applications it is necessary to connect the sections together, or to connect the sections to other fixed points.
It has been proposed to utilise connecting fixtures which incorporate bolts, holes being drilled or moulded in the ends of the sections to accommodate the bolts to secure the fixtures to the sections.
However, when an axial force is applied to such a fitting the bolt tends to pull out of the end of the section, removing a plug of the material from the end of the section. This applies particularly when the carbon fibre or glass fibre is oriented and arranged to lie primarily along the axis of the tube.
The present invention seeks to provide a method of providing a connection on an elongate member, which may be a rod or tube of carbon fibre reinforced resin or glass fibre reinforced resin, or a hybrid glass and carbon fibre reinforced resin and also relates to connectors formed by such a method.
According to the broadest aspect of this invention there is provided a method of mounting a connector unit on an elongate member, said connector unit comprising a member having a tubular portion having a bore dimensioned and sectioned to receive one end of said elongate member and having a further connecting portion, said method comprising the steps of providing the interior of said tubular portion and/or the exterior of the end of the elongate member with an adhesive, inserting the end portion of the elongate member into the bore of the tubular member and crimping the tubular portion so that the tubular portion firmly embraces the end of the elongate member, and so that a film of adhesive remains between the end portion of the elongate member and the embracing tubular portion.
Preferably the elongate member comprises a cylindrical member of circular section, although elongate members of non-circular section, such as square, rectangular or hexagonal section may be used. The elongate member may be a solid rod, or may be hollow, thus comprising a tube. The elongate member may be of uniform section, although alternatively the elongate member may be of nonuniform section. Thus the elongate member may taper or flare, or may even change the shape of its section.
Advantageously the elongate member comprises carbon fibre and/or glass fibre reinforced thermosetting material, such as epoxy resin material.
Advantageously the adhesive is a structural adhesive comprising an adhesive having a minimum shear strength of 20 mega Pascals, as defined herein, and advantageously the adhesive has a shear strength of approximately 30 mega Pascals as defined herein.
Advantageously the said tubular portion of the connector element may comprise an aluminium tube or aluminium alloy tube, or a steel or stainless steel tube, when a joint of high strength is required, or a titanium or titanium alloy tube. When carbon fibre reinforced members are to be inerconnected to form a structure that is to be used in a salty atmosphere e.g. in a sea borne vehicle such as a ship or hovercraft, the use of stainless steel and titanium may be preferred in order to minimise electrolytic corrosion. It is normally preferred, however, to utilise medium strength aluminium alloys such as those known under the designations "HT30", "HE30","HT15TF"and"L105",which latter alloy is equivalent to "HT15TB".
In one embodiment of the invention the said further connecting portion of the connector unit comprises a second tubular portion which protrudes beyond the tubular portion that is crimped, which second tubular portion is flattened after the crimping step to form a connecting portion that may accommodate bolts or the like. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention the further connecting portion of the connector unit may comprise a second tubular portion having a bore dimensioned to receive the end of a second elongate member and adapted to be crimped, with adhesive, in a corresponding manner, on to said second elongate member. The connector unit thus serves to connect two elongate members together.
In further embodiments of the invention the further connecting portion may be threaded and may comprise an externally or an internally threaded boss.
In a further embodiment of the invention, in which the said elongate member comprises a tube, a rod is additionally provided, the rod being dimensioned to have one end inserted into the tube, the exterior of the rod and/or the interior of the tube comprising the elongate member being coated with adhesive and the said one end of the rod being inserted into the end of the tube, the exterior of the tube and/or the interior of the tubular portion of the connector unit being coated with adhesive, the end of the tube comprising the elongate member being inserted into the tubular portion of the connector unit, the said tubular portion of the connector unit subsequently being crimped.Advantageously, a tubular end portion of the connector unit may subsequently be flattened to form said further connecting portion, the rod extending through this flattened portion and also being at least partially flattened. Preferably the other end of the said rod is at least partially flattened before the said one end of the rod is inserted in the tube, this said other end of the rod extending through the end portion of the tubular member that is flattened.
Preferably where a glass fibre and/or carbon fibre reinforced thermosetting material is utilised the end of the elongate member to which the connector unit is to be secured is initially abraded and cleaned.
Preferably the end of the member is abraded with silicon carbide paper, the end of the member being abraded under wet conditions to minimise the creation of dust, since the dust generated when abrading glass fibre and/or carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin material under dry conditions might be injurious to the health of personnel.
Preferably the cleaning of the material is performed by utilising acetone or other ketonic solvent, and the end of the elongate may be wiped with a tissue that has been soaked in acetone until no further dirty marks are added to the tissue.
Where an aluminium or aluminium alloytubular portion is to be crimped or flattened it is preferred thatthe method comprises the step of initially solution heattreating and quenching the tubular portion.
Where the connector element comprises aluminium or an aluminium alloy it is preferred that the aluminium or aluminium alloy is initially treated to provide a surface that will strongly bond to the adhesive, by vapour degreasing, subsequently etching in a mixture of chromic and sulphuric acid, washing a plurality of times in running water and finally washing with de-ionised water to provide a surface comprising aluminium oxide.
Preferably the adhesive is cold or warm curing and cures at a temperature of less than about 70 C.
This invention also relates to a connector when mounted by a method as described above.
Thus, according to another aspect of this invention there is provided a connector unit mounted on an elongate member, said connector unit comprising a tubular portion, the bore of which accommodates one end portion of the elongate member, there being a film of adhesive between the said end portion of the elongate member and the interior of the tubular portion, the tubular portion having been crimped firmly to engage the end of the elongate member.
The further connecting portion may comprise a flattened portion protruding beyond the crimped tubular portion; or a tubular portion having a bore dimensioned to receive the end of a second elongate member and adapted to be crimped, with adhesive, on to said second elongate member; or an externally or internally threaded boss.
In one embodiment the elongated member comprises a tube, a rod additionally being provided, at least the end portion of the rod being inserted into the end of the tube on which the connector is mounted there being a film of adhesive between the end portion of the rod and the interior of the tube, and preferably the rod extends through the further connecting portion.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tube on which a connector is to be mounted, and a tubular connector unit;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a completed connector formed from the components shown in
Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the lines Ill-Il of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a connector element mounted by a method in accordance with the invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a connector element mounted by a method in accordance with the invention;;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a connector element mounted by a method in accordance with the invention; and
Figure 7 is a second perspective view, partly cut away, of the embodiment shown in Figure 6.
Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings a member 1 on which a connector element is to be mounted comprises a cylindrical elongate member 1 formed of carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin.
The elongate member 1 is a circular cross-section tube. The end of the tube or which a connector element is to be mounted is first abraded with wet silicone carbide "wet and dry" abrasive paper. The paper is kept wet to minimise the creation of dust.
The abraded end of the rod is then cleaned of dust by wiping the end of the rod with tissue soaked in acetone. The wiping is repeated until no further black marks are added to the tissue on subsequent wiping of the rod.
Atube 2 is utilised to form the connector unit, the tube being formed of an aluminium alloy. If a connector of medium strength is to be provided the alloy is "HT30" alloy, whereas if a high strength connector is to be made the alloy is "L105" alloy which is equivalent to "HT 15 TB" alloy.
Since the aluminium alloy tube is to be crimped or flattened, as will be described, preferably the tube is solution heat-treated to make the tube relatively soft, the tube being heated to 5300C if the low strength aluminium alloy is utilised, and 505 C if the high strength aluminium alloy is utilised, the tube then immediately being quenched in cold water.
The tube is then prepared by Method 0 of United
Kingdom Defence Standard 03-2. That is to say the aluminium alloy tube is initially subjected to a vapour de-greasing process and then the aluminium alloy is etched in a mixture of chromic and sulphuric acid, the etching bath being maintained at the relatively low temperature of approximately 55"C.
The aluminium alloy is then subjected to two running water washes and a final de-ionised water wash. The aluminium alloythen has a stable surface of aluminium oxide to which adhesive will bond well.
A suitable adhesive is then coated on to the exterior of the fibre reinforced tube 1 and/or is provided in the interior of the aluminium alloy tube 2. The adhesive may be Ciba-Geigy "BSL 410" which is a two-part adhesive or "Hysol EA9309" as sold by
Hysol-Dexter of the United States of America. The adhesive that is utilised should preferably be a cold or warm curing adhesive, that is to say an adhesive curing at a temperature of less than about 70 C, rather than a hot curing adhesive which may cure at about 1 200C to 1 50 C, and it is preferred that the shear strength of the adhesive is at least 20 mega
Pascals and preferably at least 30 mega Pascals.
The shear strength of an adhesive is measured by adhering together the ends of two strips of metal, each strip being 2.54 centimetres wide, the ends being adhered together so that there is a 1.27 centimetre overlap. When the adhesive is fully cured the two strips are pulled apart so that the joint is placed under shear tension, and the tension that must be applied before the joint breaks divided by the bonded area is utilised as the measure of shear strength of the adhesive. Shear strength measured in this way is termed "shear strength as defined herein".
It will be appreciated by these skilled in the artthat it is preferred to avoid the use of high temperature curing adhesive when bonding light aluminium alloys to fibre reinforced members, since the large co-efficient of expansion of such alloys would lead to glue line stresses or subsequent cooling to ambient temperature after the adhesive has been cured.
However, if the connector unit is formed of a material having a low co-efficient of thermal expansion, such as steel or titanium, it may then be preferable to use a hot curing adhesive, such as "Hysol EA9312" as sold by Hysol-Dexter of the
United States of America, since such an adhesive may provide a stronger bond than a cold curing adhesive.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, after the end of the fibre reinforced tube and/or the interior of the aluminium alloy tube 2, and preferably it is inserted into the tube 2 by a distance of at least 5 centimetres.
The bore of the alloy tube 2, is, of course, dimensioned to receive the end of the fibre reinforced tube 1 freely, the interior diameter of the alloy tube 2 being in excess of the exterior diameter of the fibre reinforced tube 1.
Subsequently the alloy tube 2 is crimped onto the fibre reinforced tube 1, the alloy tube 3 being crimped by two dies each having an arcuate recess therein, the radius of curvature of each arcuate recess being slightly less than the exterior radius of the un-crimped alloy tube 2. The two dies are forced towards each other, thus crimping the alloy tube 2 on to the fibre reinforced tube 1 as shown at 3 in
Figure 2, the alloy tube 2 thus forming two lateral seams 4. The pressure that is applied during the crimping is merely sufficient to deform alloy tube 2 so that the alloy tube 2 is in intimate contact with the adhesive coated fibre reinforced tube 1, and preferably the pressure that is applied is such that the thickness of the adhesive 5 between the fibre r~infnr AH ti'h,, 1 and the crimped allov tube 2 is between 100 and 200 microns.During this crimping stage any excess adhesive will be exuded out of the ends of the alloy tube 2. Subsequently the end of the alloy tube 2 that protrudes beyond the crimped region 3 is stamped flat to form a further connector portion 6. The stamping is preferably performed so that the resultant connector unit has a gradual change of section from the substantially circular cross section of the portion embracing the fibre reinforced tube 1 to the flattened portion 6 to avoid any undesirable stress concentrations when the connector is in use.
The flat connector portion 6 may be drilled to provide a hole that may accommodate a bolt or the like.
Turning now to Figure 4 of the drawings it is to be appreciated that the invention also relates to a connection between two rods, and Figure 4 illustrates two fibre reinforced tubes 1,7 that have been connected together by a connector comprising a tube, the two reinforced tubes 1, 7 being prepared and inserted with appropriate use of adhesive into the two opposed ends of an alloy tube prepared as described above, the two ends of the alloy tube being crimped on to the respective fibre reinforced tubes 1, 7 to form crimped regions 3, 3'.
Figure 5 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention where the connector unit comprises a tubular portion that is crimped on to the fibre reinforced tube 1 has, instead of the flat portion 6, an externally screw threaded boss 8, which may be a solid boss or a hollow tubular boss. In an alternative embodiment the boss may be a hollow internally threaded boss.
In all the above described embodiments of the invention the fibre reinforced tube 1 may be replaced by a fibre reinforced rod. However, this may make it desirable to use stronger materials for the connector unit so the connector unit will have a strength that closely matches the strength of the rod. This, in such an application, the use of steel, titanium or titanium alloy may be desirable.
It is to be appreciated that in utilising a tube, rather than a rod, of fibre reinforced material in the above described embodiments of the invention there is a slight possibility that the fibre reinforced tube may be damaged during the crimping process since, during the crimping process, a certain pressure will be transmitted to the tube on the interior of the crimped portion 3 of the connector.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention where the connector is to be utilised in connection with a tube 10 of carbon fibre reinforced resin, rather than with a solid rod.
As can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, in the illustrated connector a rod 11 made of aluminium alloy HE30 having a diameter slightly less than the interior diameter of the tube 10 of carbon fibre reinforced material is provided, this alloy rod 11 being coated with adhesive 12 and being inserted into the tube 10 of carbon fibre reinforced material.
Subsequently the tubular portion 13 of the connector is located in position in a manner corresponding to that described with reference to Figure 1, there being adhesive 14 between the exterior surface of the carbon fibre reinforced tube 10 and the interior of the tubular portion 13 of the connector unit. Subsequently the tubular portion 13 of the connector unit is subjected to the crimping process as described above to form seams 15 and then the protruding end 16 of the tubular portion is substantially flattened, this flattening process also flattening the part of the central rod 11, which extends through the flattened portion 16. It is preferred that the entire space within the flattened portion surrounding the rod 11 is filled with adhesive 17. It is also preferred to flatten the portion of the rod 11 that is to be located within the flattened portion 16.It is to be appreciated thatthe central rod 11 will provide an extra load bearing glue line area, thus significantly increasing the strength of the bond between the connector unit and the fibre reinforced tube 10. Also the flattened portion of the rod 11 may be penetrated by a bore for a connecting bolt so that the connecting bolt is firmly connected in a load bearing relationship not only to the alloy tube 2 but also to the alloy rod 11.
It is to be noted that it has been found desirable to crimp a tube forming a connector as described above before flattening the end thereof to form a further connector portion.
It has been found that using the above described
methods light and strong connections can readily be
made with fibre reinforced thermosetting resin tubes
and rods.
Whilst the invention has been specifically de
scribed with reference to embodiments in which the
elongate member of fibre reinforced material is a tube or a rod of circular section, the invention may
be used with tubes or rods of sections which are
non-circular, e.g. square, rectangular, or hexagonal,
although other shapes may be equally useful. Also it
is envisaged that elongate fibre reinforced members
of non-uniform cross section may be used. Thus, for
example, the cross section of the elongate member
may taper or flare, or the cross section may change
shape. Thus for example a circular section rod may
have a square sectioned end region, the square
sectional region and a portion of the circular section
al region being embraced by the connector unit. In
each case the connector unit will have a tubular
portion dimensioned and sectioned to receive the
end of the elongate member so that the tubular
portion may subsequently be crimped to mount the
connector unit on the elongate member.
Claims (31)
1. A method of mounting a connector unit on an
elongate member, said connector unit comprising a
member having a tubular portion having a bore
dimensioned and sectioned to receive one end of
said elongate member and having a further connect
ing portion, said method comprising the steps of
providing the interior of said tubular portion and/or
the exterior of the end of the elongate member with
an adhesive, inserting the end portion of the elon
gate member into the bore of the tubular member
and crimping the tubular portion so that the tubular
portion firmly embraces the end of the elongate
member, and so that a film of adhesive remains between the end portion of the elongate member and the embracing tubular portion.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises a cylindrical member of circular section.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member comprises a member of noncircular section.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the elongate member is of square section.
5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the elongate member is of rectangular section.
6. A method according to claim 3 wherein the elongate member is of hexagonal section.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate member is solid.
8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the elongate member is hollow, the elongate member thus comprising a tube.
9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate member is of uniform section.
10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the elongate member is of non-uniform section.
11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate member comprises carbon fibre and/or glass fibre reinforced thermosetting material.
12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the thermosetting material is epoxy resin material.
13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive is a structural adhesive and comprises an adhesive having a minimum shear strength of 20 mega Pascals, as defined herein.
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the adhesive has a shear strength of approximately 30 mega Pascals as defined herein.
15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said tubular portion of the connector unit comprises an aluminium tube, an aluminium alloy tube, a steel or stainless steel tube, or a titanium or titanium alloy tube.
16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said further connecting portion of the connector unit comprises a second tubular portion which protrudes beyond the tubular portion that is crimped, which second tubular portion is flattened after the crimping step to form a connecting portion that may accommodate bolts or the like.
17. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the further connecting portion of the connection unit comprises a second tubular portion having a bore dimensioned to receive the end of a second elongate member and adapted to be crimped, with adhesive, in a corresponding manner, on to said second elongate member.
18. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the further connecting portion of the connector unit comprises an externally threaded boss.
19. A method according to any one of claims 1 to
15 wherein the further connecting portion of the connector unit comprises an internally threaded boss.
20. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said elongate member comprises a tube, wherein a rod is additionally provided, the rod being dimensioned to have one end inserted into the tube, the exterior of the rod and/or the interior of the tube comprising the elongate member being coated with adhesive and the said one end of the rod being inserted into the end of the tube, the exterior of the tube and/or the interior of the tubular portion of the connector unit being coated with adhesive, the end of the tube comprising the elongate member being inserted into the tubular portion of the connector unit, the said tubular portion of the connector unit subsequently being crimped.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein a tubular end portion of the connector unit is subsequently flattened, to form said further connecting portion, the rod extending through this flattened portion and also being at least partially flattened.
22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the other end of the said rod is at least partially flattened before the said one end of the rod is inserted in the tube, this said other end of the rod extending through the end portion of the tubular member that is flattened.
23. A method according to claim 11, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the end of the elongate member to which the connector unit is to be secured is initially abraded and cleaned.
24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the end of the member is abraded with silicon carbide paper under wet conditions.
25. A method according to claim 23 or 24 wherein the cleaning of the material is performed after abrading by utilising acetone or other ketonic solvent.
26. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an aluminium alloytubu- lar portion is to be crimped or flattened, comprising the step of initially solution heat treating and quenching the tubular portion.
27. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the connector unit comprises aluminium or an aluminium alloy, the aluminium or aluminium alloy being initially treated to provide a surface that will strongly bond to the adhesive.
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the aluminium or aluminium alloy is vapour degreased subsequently etched in a mixture of chromic and sulphuric acid, washed a plurality of times in running water and finally washed with de-ionised water to provide a surface comprising aluminium oxide.
29. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive is cold or warm curing, curing at a temperature of less than about 70#C.
30. A connector when mounted by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 29.
31. A connector unit mounted on an elongate memberformed of reinforced plastics material, said connector unit comprising a tubular portion, the bore of which accommodates one end portion of the elongate member, there being a film of adhesive between the said end portion of the elongate member and the interior of the tubular portion, the tubular portion having been crimped firmly to engage the end of the elongate member.
31. A connector unit mounted on an elongate member, said connector unit comprising a tubular portion, the bore of which accommodates one end portion of the elongate member, there being a film of adhesive between the said end portion of the elongate member and the interior of the tubular portion, the tubular portion having been crimped firmly to engage the end of the elongate member.
32. A connector according to claim 31 wherein the elongate member comprises a cylindrical member of circular section.
33. A connector according to claim 31 wherein the elongate member comprises a member of non-circular section.
34. A connector according to claim 33 wherein the elongate member is of square section.
35. A connector according to claim 33 wherein the elongate member is of rectangular section.
36. A connector according to claim 33 wherein the elongate member is of hexagonal section.
37. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 36 wherein the elongate member is solid.
38. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 36 wherein the elongate member thus comprises a tube.
39. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate member is of uniform section.
40. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 38 wherein the elongate member is of nonuniform section.
41. A connector according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the elongate member comprises carbon fibre and/or glass fibre reinforced thermosetting material.
42. A connector according to claim 41 wherein the thermosetting material is epoxy resin material.
43. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 41, wherein the adhesive is a structural adhesive and comprises an adhesive having a minimum shear strength of 20 mega Pascals, as defined herein.
44. A connector according to claim 43, wherein the adhesive has a shear strength of approximately 30 mega Pascals as defined herein.
45. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 44, wherein the said tubular portion of the connector unit comprises an aluminium tube, an aluminium alloy tube, a steel or stainless steel tube, or a titanium or titanium alloy tube.
46. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 45, wherein the further connecting portion of the connector unit comprises a flattened portion protruding beyond the crimped tubular portion.
47. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 45, wherein the further connecting portion comprises a tubular portion having a bore dimensioned to receive the end of a second elongate member and adapted to be crimped, with adhesive, on to said elongate member.
48. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 45, wherein the further connecting portion comprises an externally threaded boss.
49. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 45 wherein the further connecting portion comprises an internally threaded boss.
50. A connector according to any one of claims 31 to 49 wherein the elongated member comprises a tube, a rod additionally being provided, at least the end portion of the rod being inserted into the end of the tube on which the connector is mounted, therebeing a film of adhesive between the end portion of the rod and the interior of the tube.
51. A connector according to claim 50, wherein the rod extends through the further connecting portion.
52. A method of mounting a connector substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
53. A connector mounted on an elongate member substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
54. A connector mounted on an elongate member substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
55. A connector mounted on an elongate member substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawing.
56. A connector mounted on an elongate mem- ber substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
57. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.
New claims or amendments to claims filed on 7 Mar 1980
Superseded claims - claim 57 cancelled
New or amended claims:
1. A method of mounting a connector unit on an elongate member, said connector unit comprising a member formed of fibre reinforced plastics material, having a tubular portion having a bore dimensioned and sectioned to receive one end of said elongate member and having a further connecting portion, said method comprising the steps of providing the interior of said tubular portion and/or the exterior of the end of the elongate member with an adhesive, inserting the end portion of the elongate member into the bore of the tubular member and crimping the tubular portion so that the tubular portion firmly embraces the end of the elongate member, and so that a film of adhesive remains between the end portion of the elongate member and the embracing tubular portion.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB7925667A GB2053766B (en) | 1979-07-24 | 1979-07-24 | Mounting connectors on elongate members |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB7925667A GB2053766B (en) | 1979-07-24 | 1979-07-24 | Mounting connectors on elongate members |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB2053766A true GB2053766A (en) | 1981-02-11 |
GB2053766B GB2053766B (en) | 1983-01-06 |
Family
ID=10506715
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB7925667A Expired GB2053766B (en) | 1979-07-24 | 1979-07-24 | Mounting connectors on elongate members |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2053766B (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2624941A1 (en) * | 1987-12-17 | 1989-06-23 | Fabr Attaches Cables Et | End-piece for the attachment of a cable or rope made of synthetic fibres and method for manufacturing it |
FR2642446A1 (en) * | 1989-01-10 | 1990-08-03 | Productions Ind Et | METHOD FOR CONNECTING PULTRUDED JONCS TO ATTACHES FOR REALIZING CARRIERS OF CABLES |
EP0462394A1 (en) * | 1990-06-16 | 1991-12-27 | VAW Aluminium AG | Connecting element, in particular connecting rod, and method of manufacturing same |
US6101703A (en) * | 1992-04-15 | 2000-08-15 | Machida Endoscope Co., Ltd. | Method of uniting optical fibers |
FR2852653A1 (en) * | 2003-03-21 | 2004-09-24 | Zf Sachs Ag | Piston rod e.g. for a vibration damper has a core of a plastics material with carbon fibers, in a press fit within a metal tube, and sealed against the entry of air |
EP1494254A1 (en) * | 2003-07-02 | 2005-01-05 | ABB Research Ltd | Force transmission element, method and apparatus for producing it |
EP1798429A1 (en) * | 2005-12-15 | 2007-06-20 | SKF Aerospace France | Composite material tube rod and manufacturing method of such rod |
-
1979
- 1979-07-24 GB GB7925667A patent/GB2053766B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2624941A1 (en) * | 1987-12-17 | 1989-06-23 | Fabr Attaches Cables Et | End-piece for the attachment of a cable or rope made of synthetic fibres and method for manufacturing it |
FR2642446A1 (en) * | 1989-01-10 | 1990-08-03 | Productions Ind Et | METHOD FOR CONNECTING PULTRUDED JONCS TO ATTACHES FOR REALIZING CARRIERS OF CABLES |
EP0462394A1 (en) * | 1990-06-16 | 1991-12-27 | VAW Aluminium AG | Connecting element, in particular connecting rod, and method of manufacturing same |
US6101703A (en) * | 1992-04-15 | 2000-08-15 | Machida Endoscope Co., Ltd. | Method of uniting optical fibers |
US6324742B1 (en) * | 1992-04-15 | 2001-12-04 | Machida Endoscope Co., Ltd. | Method of uniting optical fibers |
FR2852653A1 (en) * | 2003-03-21 | 2004-09-24 | Zf Sachs Ag | Piston rod e.g. for a vibration damper has a core of a plastics material with carbon fibers, in a press fit within a metal tube, and sealed against the entry of air |
EP1494254A1 (en) * | 2003-07-02 | 2005-01-05 | ABB Research Ltd | Force transmission element, method and apparatus for producing it |
US7514635B2 (en) | 2003-07-02 | 2009-04-07 | Abb Research Ltd | Shaft, method for producing it and device for carrying out the method |
EP1798429A1 (en) * | 2005-12-15 | 2007-06-20 | SKF Aerospace France | Composite material tube rod and manufacturing method of such rod |
FR2895041A1 (en) * | 2005-12-15 | 2007-06-22 | Skf Aerospace France Soc Par A | TUBE ROD IN COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH ROD |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2053766B (en) | 1983-01-06 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |