Heath Tecna Aerospace Company

Nova Composites, Inc.

Gregory L Fillman

Richard W Randall

A load bearing attachment fitting for a composite material structure. The fitting includes an elongate body having a plurality of undulations formed along its longitudinal sides. The undulations engage the fibers in the fiber-resin matrix so as to transmit loads from the fitting into the body of the structure. To form the connection between the fitting and the composite material structure, longitudinal strips of fiber-resin tape are laid over the fitting and an adjacent form which defines the body of the structure. Crosswise fibers are then wound over the longitudinal tape to force and hold the longitudinal fibers in conformity with the undulations along the fitting, so that the longitudinal fibers transmit loads from the fitting into the composite material structure. A fluidizable form may be used to form the body of the structure, and after curing the forms may be removed by washing this out through a threaded bore in the attachment fitting. The threaded bore then provides a mounting point for attaching the assembly to other structures in load bearing engagement.

Attachment fitting for composite material structures

An apparatus and method for securing fittings to composite structures such as those composites formed out of resin-embedded fibers is disclosed. The invention includes the use of support structures wrapped around the fittings such that the support prevents the fitting from movement when a compression load is applied thereto. The support serves to transfer the force of the compression load into the entire body of the composite structure so that the force will be absorbed by the structure. In one embodiment of the invention, the support structure comprises a composite fiber tow formed of high tensile strength fibers impregnated with a matrix material. The composite fiber tow is fibers wrapped around the fittings to form suspension strands. As the matrix material cures the composite fiber stiffens to hold the fitting in place against the composite structure.

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Renton, WA, United States of America

Gregory L Fillman