Clamp for fire and overheat detection system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11998778-B2
Application number	US-202318180578-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 8, 2023
Priority date	Nov 5, 2019
Publication date	Jun 4, 2024
Grant date	Jun 4, 2024

Abstract

A method of additively manufacturing a fire and overheat detection system (FODS) clamp onto a rail tube is provided. The method includes building a base of a clamp body on the rail tube, sequentially building portions of a locking feature and holders of the clamp body on the base and sequentially building remaining portions of the holders and flanges forming grooves at each of the holders of the clamp body on the base.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A clamp for a fire and overheat detection system (FODS) assembly, the clamp comprising:
a clamp body additively manufactured onto a rail tube, the clamp body comprising a locking feature, holders defined at opposite sides of the locking feature and flanges forming angular overhung grooves at each of the holders;
a grommet installed into each of the holders;
top clamp parts anchored in the annular overhung grooves and wrapped over the grommets; and
a locking pin locked in the locking feature to fasten the top clamp parts together to thereby secure the grommets in the holders,
wherein the top clamp parts each comprise:
L-shaped lip arrangements which are receivable in the angular overhung grooves;
a curved section from which the L-shaped lip arrangements extend in a first direction; and
an end section defining an aperture and extending from the curved section in a second direction opposite the first direction.

2. The clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the clamp body comprises a metal or a metal alloy compatible with laser direct metal deposition (LMD).

3. The clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the top clamp parts each comprise:
lip arrangements which are receivable in the angular overhung grooves;
a curved section from which the lip arrangements extend in a first direction; and
an end section defining an aperture and extending from the curved section in a second direction opposite the first direction.

4. The clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the locking feature comprises an axial restraint for the locking pin.

5. A clamp for a fire and overheat detection system (FODS) assembly, the clamp comprising:
a clamp body comprising a locking feature, holders defined at opposite sides of the locking feature and flanges forming angular overhung grooves at each of the holders;
grommets installed in the holders;
top clamp parts anchored in the angular overhung grooves and wrapped over the grommets; and
a locking pin locked in the locking feature to fasten the top clamp parts together for securing the grommets in the holders,
wherein the top clamp parts each comprise:
L-shaped lip arrangements receivable in the angular overhung grooves;
a curved section from which the L-shaped lip arrangements extend in a first direction; and
an end section defining an aperture and extending from the curved section in a second direction opposite the first direction.

6. The clamp according to claim 5 , wherein the clamp body comprises a metal or a metal alloy compatible with laser direct metal deposition (LMD).

7. The clamp according to claim 5 , wherein the locking feature comprises an axial restraint for the locking pin.

8. A fire and overheat detection system (FODS) assembly, comprising:
a rail;
a clamp disposed on the rail and comprising a locking feature, holders defined at opposite sides of the locking feature and flanges forming angular overhung grooves at each of the holders;
grommets installed in the holders;
top clamp parts anchored in the angular overhung grooves and wrapped over the grommets; and
a locking pin locked in the locking feature to fasten the top clamp parts together for securing the grommets in the holders,
wherein the top clamp parts each comprise:
L-shaped lip arrangements receivable in the angular overhung grooves;
a curved section from which the L-shaped lip arrangements extend in a first direction; and
an end section defining an aperture and extending from the curved section in a second direction opposite the first direction.

9. The clamp according to claim 8 , wherein the clamp comprises a metal or a metal alloy compatible with laser direct metal deposition (LMD).

10. The clamp according to claim 8 , wherein the locking feature comprises an axial restraint for the locking pin.

11. A clamp, comprising:
a clamp body comprising a locking feature, grommet holders and flanges forming angular overhung grooves at each of the grommet holders;
clamp parts anchored in the annular overhung grooves and wrapped over the grommets, the clamp parts each comprising a curved section, L-shaped lips extending from the curved section and receivable in the angular overhung grooves and an end section defining an aperture and extending from the curved section opposite the L-shaped lips; and
a locking pin locked in the locking feature to fasten the clamp parts together for securing grommets in the grommet holders.

Assignees

• Kidde Tech Inc

Inventors

• Jacob Robin
• Kuppusamy Balasundar

Classifications

• B64C1/00

  Fuselages; Constructional features common to fuselages, wings, stabilising surfaces or the like · CPC title

• A62C3/08 Primary

  in aircraft {(A62C3/0207 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B23K26/342

  Build-up welding · CPC title

• B33Y10/00

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• B33Y80/00 Primary

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title