Patent ID: 8393068

Claim:
A method for mechanically-joining components to assemble a composite structure, comprising: providing a first component, a second component, and an electrically-conductive metallic component, at least one of the first and second components comprising a composite component; forming a hole in each of the first component, second component, and electrically-conductive metallic component; placing a metallic sleeve in the holes in the first component, second component, and electrically-conductive metallic component such that the metallic sleeve is in contact with the first and second components and the electrically-conductive component, the metallic sleeve having a collar at one end; placing a one-piece composite rivet in the metallic sleeve, the composite rivet having a head and a shank, the head resting against the collar of the metallic sleeve and the head substantially not in contact with the first component or the second component, the shank protruding beyond the first component; and applying heat and a deforming force to the shank of the composite rivet to form an upset on the composite rivet, the heat applied to the shank between about 600 to about 900 degrees F., the rivet the heat melting the shank but not the first component or the second component, with upset mechanically joining the first component, the second component, and the electrically-conductive metal component such that the electrically-conductive metallic component provides a path for dissipating electrical energy between the first component and the second component.