Patent ID: 11859743
Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 0:
1. A system comprising:
a spacer element configured to engage a plurality of tubular structures, to spatially separate the plurality of tubular structures from one another, and to distribute stress in the plurality of tubular structures, the spacer element comprising:
a planar end; and
at least two radially extending arms configured to engage a tubular structure of the plurality of tubular structures, the at least two radially extending arms each having a planar surface and a curved surface, the planar surface and the curved surface engaging the tubular structure; and

a fastening element comprising a shape memory alloy (SMA) band and configured to be received in the planar end and extend around at least a portion of an outer surface of the plurality of tubular structures to fasten and swage the plurality of tubular structures to the spacer element in an adaptively spaced configuration.