General Dynamics Corporation, Convair Division

General Dynamics Corporation, Space Systems Div.

General Dynamics Corp./space Systems Division X

Kurt W Swanson

Daniel L Simpson

Marvin A Kumley

Bryan L Beck

The disclosure is directed to a thermal protection systems for protecting instrumentation transducers having a low maximum operating temperature in the range of 200 degree F. to 900 degrees F. when exposed to operating environment greater than 2000 degrees F. The embodiments of the protection system include the use of zinc solid-to-liquid phase change as a heat sink, water-to-steam phase change as a heat sink and thermal electric cooling combined with a multi-foil insulation material.

Transducer thermal protection system

A method for joining carbon-carbon structural elements together using a carbon-carbon pin type fastener for transfer of shear loads. A coating of powdered metal which undergoes a large expansion when reacted in the presence of a gas is used to coat the outer surfaces of a pin which extends through the structural elements to be joined, with the powdered metal coating between the body of the pin and the surfaces of the structural elements through which the pin passes. After installation through the structural elements the pin is heated in an oxygen atmosphere causing the powdered metal coating to expand up to 100% from its unheated volume binding the pin to the structural elements. A fluted or scalloped edge on the pin increases the surface area of the pin increasing its friction holding force.

Pin type carbon-carbon fastener

The fastening together of structural elements formed from carbon-carbon is accomplished by a fastener constructed from 2-D or 3-D carbon-carbon in the form of a high angle helical threads on one end and a countersunk head with a carbon-carbon central insert on the other end with the threaded end inserted through the carbon-carbon structural elements to be joined. A metal is painted on the threads and the shank on the fastener. A collar formed from carbon-carbon is fitted over the course threaded end of the fastener with the distal end of the threads extending therefrom. While passing a heating current through the fastener, the head and the collar of the fastener are forced together. The fastener is heated to an elevated temperature in the presence of an Oxygen gas cover which causes the powered metal to expand up to 100% binding the fastener to the carbon-carbon components, collar and insert.

Carbon-carbon fasteners, bolt type

A fastener for connecting structures having significantly different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) which substantially eliminates thermal stress with varying ambient temperatures, while allowing said structures to be either abutting or spaced from each other. A frusto-conical bore through a wall of a first structure receives a frusto-conical surface of an elongated fastener which is coincident with said bore. The fastener has a base secured to a second structure. A shoulder is formed on the first structure around the narrow end of the bore, the shoulder having a frusto-conical outer edge. A flange member is secured to the vertex end of said fastener, the flange member having a surface configured to engage the outer edge in a coincident relationship. The fastener is tightened to bring both pairs of coincident conical surfaces into pressure contact. Both parts of conic surface preferably have a common vertex which lies outside the fastener. The fastening system is particularly useful in cases where low-CTE plates or other contiguous structures are to be fastened together by a high-CTE fastener.

Co-conic fastener and fastening method

A fastener for connecting structures having significantly different coefficients of thermal expansion which substantially eliminates thermal stress with varying ambient temperatures, while allowing said structures to be offset or spaced from each other. A frusto-conical bore through a wall of a first structure receives a frusto-conical surface of an elongated fastener which is coincident with said bore. The fastener has a base secured to a second structure. A shoulder is formed on said first structure around the narrow end of said bore, the shoulder having a frusto-conical outer edge. A flange member is secured to the vertex end of said fastener, said flange member having a surface configured to engage said outer edge in a coincident relationship. The fastener is tightened to bring both pairs of coincident conical surfaces into pressure contact. Both pairs of conic surface preferably have a common vertex which lies outside the fastener. Where thermal protection requires, the bore may be formed in a bushing of a material having low thermal conductivity but similar thermal expansion characteristics.

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Kent, WA, United States of America

Kurt W Swanson