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Self-aligning, spline-locking fastener is two-part mechanism operated by robot, using one tool and simple movements. Spline nut on springloaded screw passes through mating spline fitting. Operator turns screw until vertical driving surfaces on spline nut rest against corresponding surfaces of spline fitting. Nut rides upward, drawing pieces together. Used to join two parts of structure, to couple vehicles, or to mount payload in vehicle.
A releasable fastening apparatus is presented. The device includes a connecting member and a housing. The housing supports a gripping mechanism that is adapted to engage the connecting member. A triggering member is movable within the housing between a first position in which it constrains the gripping mechanism in locked engagement with the connecting member, and a second position in which the gripping mechanism is disengaged from the connecting member. A shaped memory alloy actuator is employed for translating the triggering member from its first to its second position. The actuator is designed to expand longitudinally when transitioned from a martensitic to an austenitic state.
A summary of the GSFC applied research effort in robotic berthing is provided. The summary includes several demonstrations and experimental highlights illustrated on video. Two GSFC developments are central to the research, the 'Capaciflector' sensor and the 'Spline-Locking Screw fastener.
Research in the area of berthing of Orbital Replacement Units (ORU's) at the GSFC consists of two major parts. First, we concentrate on the development of a comprehensive fastening strategy that can provide both mechanical as well as electrical connection to the ORU. Second, our efforts in robot collision avoidance and motion planning have led to the development of a state-of-the-art capacitive proximity sensor with associated motion control algorithms. These efforts combine to produce a system that allows safe and reliable machine assisted berthing. Although our main emphasis was on berthing of ORU's, we believe that some of our results can also be applied to docking.
The study of aeronautical fabrics has led to a consideration of the best methods of attaching and fastening together such materials. This report presents the results of an investigation upon the proper methods of attaching fabrics to airplane wings. The methods recommended in this report have been adopted by the military services.
Payload handed off securely between robot and vehicle or structure. Spline-screw payload-fastening system includes mating female and male connector mechanisms. Clockwise (or counter-clockwise) rotation of splined male driver on robotic end effector causes connection between robot and payload to tighten (or loosen) and simultaneously causes connection between payload and structure to loosen (or tighten). Includes mechanisms like those described in "Tool-Changing Mechanism for Robot" (GSC-13435) and "Self-Aligning Mechanical and Electrical Coupling" (GSC-13430). Designed for use in outer space, also useful on Earth in applications needed for secure handling and secure mounting of equipment modules during storage, transport, and/or operation. Particularly useful in machine or robotic applications.
Fastener assembly for use in erecting truss structure assembled by robot equipped with one arm and one gripper. Easier for robot or human technician to build structure in outer space or on Earth. Assembly features extremely large capture envelope; accommodates initial lateral misalignments of truss members of as much as 0.4 in. and rotational misalignments large as 28 degrees and still produces sound structural connection. Chuck key is only tool required.
Cold working fastener holes in aluminum alloys is a widely used technique in the aerospace industry for improving the fatigue performance of structures. A compressive tangential stress introduced in the material during the cold working of the hole reduces the natural tendency of the material to crack at the holes under cyclic tensile loading. It is a lucrative technique for the aerospace industry in that it provides an increase in performance without any weight cost.
The analysis of mechanically fastened composite joints presents a great challenge to structural analysts because of the large number of parameters that influence strength. These parameters include edge distance, width, bolt diameter, laminate thickness, ply orientation, and bolt torque. The research presented in this report investigates the influence of some of these parameters through testing and analysis. A methodology is presented for estimating the strength of the bolt-hole based on classical lamination theory using the Tsai-Hill failure criteria and typical bolthole bearing analytical methods.
The two major classes of laminate joints are bonded and bolted. Often the two classes are combined as bonded-bolted joints. Several characteristics of fiber reinforced composite materials render them more susceptible to joint problems than conventional metals. These characteristics include weakness in in-plane shear, transverse tension/compression, interlaminar shear, and bearing strength relative to the strength and stiffness in the fiber direction. Studies on bolted joints of composite materials have been focused on joining assembly subject to in-plane loads. Modes of failure under these loading conditions are net-tension failure, cleavage tension failure, shear-out failure, bearing failure, etc. Although the studies of torque load can be found in literature, they mainly discussed the effect of the torque load on in-plane strength. Existing methods for calculating torque limit for a mechanical fastener do not consider connecting members. The concern that a composite member could be crushed by a preload inspired the initiation of this study. The purpose is to develop a fundamental knowledge base on how to determine a torque limit when a composite member is taken into account. Two simplified analytical models were used: a stress failure analysis model based on maximum stress criterion, and a strain failure analysis model based on maximum strain criterion.
A threaded fastener has a standard part with a standard thread form characterized by thread walls with a standard included angle, and a modified part complementary to the standard part having a modified thread form characterized by thread walls which are symmetrically inclined with a modified included angle that is different from the standard included angle of the standard part's thread walls, such that the threads of one part make pre-loaded edge contact with the thread walls of the other part. The thread form of the modified part can have an included angle that is greater, less, or compound as compared to the included angle of the standard part. The standard part may be a bolt and the modified part a nut, or vice versa. The modified thread form holds securely even under large vibrational forces, it permits bi-directional use of standard mating threads, is impervious to the build up of tolerances and can be manufactured with a wider range of tolerances without loss of functionality, and distributes loading stresses (per thread) in a manner that decreases the possibility of single thread failure.
A fastener starter tool includes a number of spring retention fingers for retaining a small part, or combination of parts. The tool has an inner housing, which holds the spring retention fingers, a hand grip, and an outer housing configured to slide over the inner housing and the spring retention fingers toward and away from the hand grip, exposing and opening, or respectively, covering and closing, the spring retention fingers. By sliding the outer housing toward (away from) the hand grip, a part can be released from (retained by) the tool. The tool may include replaceable inserts, for retaining parts, such as screws, and configured to limit the torque applied to the part, to prevent cross threading. The inner housing has means to transfer torque from the hand grip to the insert. The tool may include replaceable bits, the inner housing having means for transferring torque to the replaceable bit.
A fastening apparatus is adapted to be inserted and removed from one side of a work piece having an opposite side which is substantially inaccessible to a worker. A first, externally threaded member is threadingly engaged with a receiving structure, and a second member is inserted within corresponding seats or grooves for interlocking the two members. In the preferred embodiment diverting seats are provided for forming the second member into locking engagement between the receiving structure and the first member. In one embodiment, seat structures are provided for engaging frangible panels or the like for high temperature applications.
This presentation reviews the requirements for safety critical fasteners in spaceflight hardware. Included in the presentation are design guidelines and information for Locking Helicoils, key locked inserts and thinwalled inserts, self locking screws and bolts. locknuts, and a locking adhesives, Loctite and Vibratite.
A driver for non-magnetic gripping of a socketed fastener head. The driver includes a shank and two cantilever beams. Each cantilever beam has an end and a basal segment adjacent the shank opposite the end. The driver also includes a gap defined by the two cantilever beams in resting positions. The gap extends between the two cantilever beams from an open end toward the shank. The ends of the two cantilever beams are configured to bend into the gap from the resting positions.
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