Patent ID: 8918978
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method to join a first structure to a second structure, the method comprising: aligning a first hole in the first structure with a second hole in the second structure; inserting a fastener in a martensite state into the first hole and the second hole, wherein the fastener comprises a shape memory alloy, wherein the fastener is configured to change from a first shape in the martensite state back to a second shape in an austenite state when the fastener is heated to a first temperature above an austenite start transition temperature, wherein the second shape has a first diameter larger than a second diameter of the first hole and larger than a third diameter of the second hole, wherein the first shape has a fourth diameter less than the second diameter and the third diameter, and wherein the fastener comprises a body and collars adapted to fit at opposing ends of the fastener; and heating the fastener to a second temperature above the austenite start transition temperature such that the fastener changes from the first shape towards the second shape and establishes physical contact with a first surface of the first structure that defines the first hole and a second surface of the second structure that defines the second hole, wherein at least a first portion of the first structure proximate the first hole, at least a second portion of the second structure proximate the second hole, and the fastener undergo plastic deformation due to the physical contact.