Patent ID: 7850387
Filing Date: 2010-12-14
Classification: B64C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A joint for reducing stress concentration in a lap splice formed in a skin of a pressure vehicle by overlapping a first skin panel and a second skin panel in an overlap area, the joint comprising a hoop tension finger doubler coupled to the first skin panel and the second skin panel, and fasteners coupling the hoop tension finger double to the first skin panel and the second skin panel, the hoop tension finger doubler being generally planar in shape, thereby defining a plane, the hoop tension finger doubler comprising: an upper portion comprising a plurality of finger portions fastened to an interior surface of the first skin panel, at least one of said finger portions defining at least one fastener opening; a lower portion fastened to an interior surface of the second skin panel in the overlap area and to the first skin panel through the second skin panel, the lower portion defining a plurality of fastener openings and having a thickness that is larger than a thickness of the upper portion; a middle portion between the upper portion and the lower portion comprising a joggle offsetting the upper portion from the lower portion in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the hoop tension finger doubler, such that a bottom surface of the hoop tension finger doubler contacts both the interior surface of the first skin panel and the interior surface of the second skin panel; and corrosion preventative sealant filling a cavity between said hoop tension finger doubler, said first skin panel, and said second skin panel.