Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Richard Clemence Janis

Pei-chung Wang

Bradley J Blaski

Dalong Gao

Lance T Ransom

Steven Cipriano

Rodney L Smith

Yhu-Tin Lin

Douglas Martin Linn

Jianying Shi

Mark A Voss

Ningjian Huang

Susan M Smyth

A rivet nut ('rivnut') installation method and a rivnut structural configuration are disclosed that can be implemented separately in conjunction with one another to serve as an anchor in and/or a workpiece at an installation location. The rivnut installation method involves inserting a rivnut onto an externally threaded mandrel, rotating the mandrel while a free end of the mandrel is in contact with the workpiece, and driving the free end of the mandrel and the rivnut through the workpiece while continuing to rotate the mandrel. The method is particularly useful when the workpiece includes one or more substrate layers composed of a low ductility material such as a polymer composite. The rivnut structural configuration includes the incorporation of an external threading onto at least a portion of a hollow shaft of the rivnut.

Installation and design of a rivnut

A method of assembling a manufactured item without a guide rail and an assembly system are provided. The method includes disposing a base item on an unmanned independent vehicle system, moving the unmanned independent vehicle system to an assembly station, and attaching an additional item to the base item. The assembly system includes a number of unmanned independent vehicle systems, each unmanned independent vehicle system having at least one wheel. Each unmanned independent vehicle system is configured to be loaded with a base item. A number of assembly stations are provided, each being configured to complete at least one assembly operation. Each unmanned independent vehicle system is configured to independently move to multiple of the assembly stations to have a different assembly operation performed at each assembly station, resulting in additional items being attached to each base item to form each manufactured item.

Nondeterministic assembly system and method

A double ended dual attached fastener includes a first portion having a stud bolt, a second portion configured to anchor to a panel member, and a flange nut partitioning the first end and the second end. The flange nut includes a flat interior annular surface facing the second portion. The flange nut includes a plurality of radially spaced weld projections extending toward the second portion. The weld projection includes a material that amendable to form a weld joining the flange nut to a panel member through which the second portion is inserted. The second portion defines a fastener selected from a group consisting of a self-tapping friction screw, a self-piercing rivet, and a swage bolt.

Double-ended dual attached fastener

A method of joining first and second layers of polymeric composite material includes disposing a portion of a molded insert having a bottom end into a top surface of a first layer of material and then applying a layer of adhesive between the top surface of the first layer and a bottom surface of a second layer of material to create a bond-line thickness. Next, a top surface of the second layer is pierced with a headless end of a fastener and interlocked into the molded insert. A layer of protective coating is then applied to the top surface of the second layer of material to cover the interlocked fastener.

Method of joining of polymeric composites

An adaptable assembly line work-piece processor for use at a work station includes, but is not limited to, a work-piece supporter. The adaptable assembly line work-piece processor further includes, but is not limited to, a reconfigurable interface assembly attached to the work-piece supporter. The adaptable assembly line work-piece processor still further includes, but is not limited to, a work-piece manipulator attached to the reconfigurable interface assembly. The work-piece supporter, the reconfigurable interface assembly, and the work-piece manipulator are configured to cooperate to sequentially support and manipulate a plurality of differently configured work-pieces.

Reconfigurable interface assembly, adaptable assembly line work-piece processor, and method

A method of rivet bonding a workpiece stack-up that includes one or more polymer composite workpieces, such as carbon fiber composite workpieces, involves several steps. In one step, adhesive is applied to a surface of the workpiece stack-up. In another step, workpieces&#x2014;including the polymer composite workpiece(s)&#x2014;are brought together. In yet another step the adhesive is partially or more cured. A rivet is installed through the workpiece stack-up and through the adhesive in another step. The method strengthens the resulting rivet-bonded joint by minimizing or altogether precluding fracture, cracking, and/or delamination thereat.

Rivet bonding workpiece stack-ups having one or more polymer composite workpieces

A two-part mechanical fastener comprising an elongated body with a bore slidably carrying a mandrel adapted to interferingly engage the body is described. The fastener body has one or more protuberances on its exterior surface. In an aspect, the protuberances form a thread. The fastener is adapted to form an opening in, and penetrate, a stack of two or more workpieces. To secure the workpieces in the workpiece stack and form a robust joint, the fastener body is deformed by the mandrel, expanding the body, so that a body end engages a surface of the workpiece stack and the one or more protuberances are brought into engagement with the walls of the opening. Methods of using such a fastener to secure non-ferrous or polymer-based sheet-like workpieces to one another are disclosed.

Blind flow screw joining of materials

A reconfigurable interface assembly includes, but is not limited to, a first sub-assembly that is adapted for attachment to a work-piece supporter. The first sub-assembly includes a first brake. The reconfigurable interface assembly further includes a second sub-assembly attached to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is adapted for attachment to a work-piece manipulator. The second sub-assembly includes a second brake. The first sub-assembly is configured to move the second sub-assembly in a first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly and the first brake is configured to inhibit movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is configured to move the first sub-assembly in a second direction with respect to the second sub-assembly and the second brake is configured to inhibit movement of the first sub-assembly in the second direction with respect to the first sub-assembly.

An assembly and method for minimizing an overlap of a composite member riveted to another member includes a first member having a first overlap area and a second member having a second overlap area. The overlap areas of the first and second members are in direct contact, thereby forming an overlapped region. The overlapped region may be thicker than the sum of the individual members. The second member includes an end defining a projection in the overlapped region. The rivet is disposed through the first member and at least partially through the second member in the projection, thereby interlocking the second member to the first member. The projections include a curved symmetrical body defining an apex. The rivet extends through the body such that a line extending from the center axis of the rivet is perpendicular to a tangent extending through the apex of the projection.

Assembly and method for minimizing an overlap of a composite member riveted to another member

A spin fastening system includes a first member and an adhesive layer applied to the first member. A second member is positioned in contact with the adhesive layer. At least a portion of the adhesive layer is cured after the second member is positioned in contact with the adhesive layer to render at least the portion of the adhesive layer substantially rigid. At least one spin fastener is inserted successively through each of the second member, the cured portion of the adhesive layer, and the first member.

Spinning joining of similar and dissimilar materials

A method of riveting a first substrate and a second substrate with a rivet includes delivering a first ultrasonic pulse to a respective exterior surface of the first substrate at a predefined target area, via an ultrasonic device. The first ultrasonic pulse is configured to soften the first substrate at a first softening temperature. The method includes attaching a crust layer on a rivet head of the rivet. A second ultrasonic pulse is delivered to the predefined target area to soften the crust layer at a second softening temperature, via the ultrasonic device. A surface profile of the crust layer is fashioned via compression of a horn inner cavity of the ultrasonic device over the crust layer. The crust layer is cooled to harden into a seal configured to prevent entry of moisture between the rivet and the respective exterior surface of the first substrate, thereby reducing galvanic corrosion.

Method of riveting involving ultrasonic pulses

A fastener is provided. The fastener includes a fastening portion configured to fasten a body; and a retaining portion configured to retain a portion of the body after the fastening portion is fastened to the body. The fastener apparatus may be used to attach composite body materials to a vehicle.

Fastener with retaining portion

A reconfigurable gripping device for securely gripping, lifting, and transporting a work piece is provided. The reconfigurable gripping device may include at least a first finger and a second finger each secured to a base platform with a base support. Each of the respective fingers may have a first link, a second link, and a third link each having a corresponding drive mechanism to individually drive the respective link. The first link drive mechanism and second link drive mechanism are configured to control the grasp and adaptability of each of the respective fingers to place the third link upon a work piece. The third link drive mechanism is configured to drive the third link of each of the respective fingers to apply a clamping force upon the work piece.

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Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, United States of America

Richard Clemence Janis