Carbon fiber clamping apparatus and method

摘要

Clamping apparatus and methods are provided. The apparatus can include a rigid backing member having a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough. The apparatus can further include a spring member having a plurality of radial members each having a first end and a second end. The first end of the radial members can be connected at a hub. The second end of each radial member can be connected to a flange. A plurality of apertures, corresponding to the plurality of apertures in the backing member, can be disposed about the flange. The radial members can be fabricated using two or more plies of resin-impregnated carbon fiber. The spring member can be affixed to the backing member using one or more fasteners disposed in the backing member apertures and corresponding aperture disposed in the flange.

主权项

1. A clamping apparatus comprising:
a backing member having a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough; a spring member comprising:
a plurality of radial members, each radial member having a first end and a second end, wherein the plurality of radial members produce a biasing force of the spring member and comprise at least two plies of resin-impregnated carbon fiber;a hub, connecting all or a portion of the first end of two or more radial members;a pressure member extending from the hub and having a first end and a second end, the first end disposed proximate the hub; anda flange, connecting all or a portion of the second end of two or more radial members, the flange having a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough, a location of each flange aperture corresponding to a location of each backing member aperture; and a plurality of fasteners disposed through the backing member apertures and the corresponding flange apertures, rigidly affixing the spring member to the backing member, wherein the radial members extend between the hub and the flange, and the hub transmits the biasing force of the radial members to the pressure member to bias the second end of the pressure member toward the backing member.