Patent ID: 7621437

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a structural assembly, the method comprising: providing an elongate member extending in an axial direction between first and second ends, the elongate member being formed of a metal matrix composite material including a plurality of fibers of a reinforcement material disposed in a metal matrix such that the metal matrix composite material is stronger in the axial direction than in non-axial directions of the elongate member; providing a first connector member formed of a material dissimilar to the metal matrix composite material of the elongate member; subsequent to said second providing step, heat treating the first connector member; disposing the elongate member and the first connector member in an induction coil, wherein disposing the elongate member and the first connector member in the induction coil comprises supporting the elongate member and the first connector member at least partially in a space defined by a vessel with a support structure comprising first and second support members by adjustably positioning at least one of the first and second support members so as to operably engage the elongate member and the first connector member and to thereby adjust the position of at least one of the elongate member and the connector member in the vessel, and providing the induction coil extending circumferentially around the vessel such that the induction coil is configured to heat the braze material disposed within the induction coil, wherein supporting the elongate member and the connector member further comprises disposing a threaded rod axially through the elongate member and positioning the first and second support members upon the threaded rod with the elongate member and the connector member positioned therebetween; and subsequent to said heat treating step, generating an electromagnetic field proximate to the elongate member and the first connector member and thereby selectively inductively heating and melting a braze material received between the first connector member and the elongate member and thereby brazing the first connector member to the elongate member such that the braze material is heated while a portion of the first connector member is disposed outside the induction coil, the portion of the first connector member disposed outside the induction coil remaining cooler than the melting temperature of the braze material throughout said melting step in order to retain properties attained during said step of heat treating.