Patent ID: 7516534
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: B21J,B21K,B23P,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of attaching a nut element to a metal structure, said structure having obverse and reverse surfaces, said method comprising: (a) providing a selected hole of suitable size and shape through said metal structure from said obverse surface to said reverse surface, by (i) inspection and acceptance of sidewall portions of a pre-existing hole, to provide a selected hole, or (ii) enlargement or rework of a pre-existing hole to provide at least some new sidewall portions, to provide a selected hole, or (iii) if no hole exists, providing a new hole with new sidewall portions through said metal structure, to provide a selected hole; (b) providing a nutplate base having a deformable metal insert comprising a body portion, said deformable metal insert sized and configured for insertion adjacent at least some of said sidewall portions of said selected hole, said body portion having first and second ends and peripheral wall extending for a length between said first and second ends; (c) inserting said deformable metal insert into said selected hole without deforming said metal structure or said metal insert, so that the body portion extends at least partially into the selected hole and at least a portion of said peripheral wall of said metal insert is adjacent at least a portion of said sidewall of said selected hole; (d) after insertion, compressing the metal insert with opposing tools having primarily an axial force component to physically deform the metal insert sufficiently that it frictionally engages at least some of the sidewall portions of the selected hole and radially displaces at least some of the body portion of said metal insert, and radially displaces at least some of said metal structure, causing at least some of the sidewall portions of said selected hole to exert compressive forces against said metal insert to enhance fatigue life of the metal structure adjacent the body of said metal insert, and substantially fixing said metal insert within the selected hole; (e) providing a nut element; and (f) securing said nut element to said nutplate base.