Fastening System for Securing a Component to a Mounting Device for a High-Temperature Process
A fastening system for securing a mounting tool configured to retain a component that is to undergo a high-temperature process. The mounting tool has a first portion having a first tab with a first slot and a second portion having a second tab with a second slot. The fastening system comprises an outer clip including outer clip arms and a central portion. The outer clip arms have a gap therebetween. The central portion protrudes into the gap. The fastening system includes an inner clip including inner clip arms. The inner clip is pushed into the gap such that each inner clip arm contacts and pushes one outer clip arm towards the first tab and the second tab. When the fastening system is inserted into the first slot and the second slot, the fastening system limits relative movement between the first tab and the second tab.
1 . A fastening system for securing a mounting tool configured to retain a component that is to undergo a high-temperature process, the fastening system comprising:
an outer clip including a first outer clip arm, a second outer clip arm, a central portion extending between the first outer clip arm and the second outer clip arm, and a central gap, the central gap including an open end and a first channel and a second channel opposing the open end, the first channel defined by an inner surface of the first outer clip arm and an outer surface of the central portion, the second channel defined by an inner surface of the second outer clip arm and the outer surface of the central portion; and
an inner clip including a first inner clip arm and a second inner clip arm, the inner clip configured to be pushed into the central gap such that an outer surface of the first inner clip arm contacts and pushes against the inner surface of the first outer clip arm and an outer surface of the second inner clip arm contacts and pushes against the inner surface of the second outer clip arm;
wherein, when the inner clip is pushed into the central gap, the first inner clip arm extends into the first channel and the second inner clip arm extends into the second channel.
2 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the inner clip is configured to expand during the high-temperature process such that the first inner clip arm and the second inner clip arm respectively push against the first outer clip arm and the second outer clip arm with increased force.
3 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein when the inner clip is pushed into the central gap, the first inner clip arm and the first outer clip arm extend in opposing directions.
4 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the first outer clip arm has a bowed section curving in a first direction and the first inner clip arm has a bowed area corresponding to the bowed section of the first outer clip arm, and wherein the second outer clip arm has a bowed section curving in a second direction opposite the first direction and the second inner clip arm has a bowed area corresponding to the bowed section of the second outer clip arm.
5 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein each of the outer clip and the inner clip have a unitary construction.
6 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the outer clip includes a nickel-based superalloy.
7 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first channel and the second channel terminate in a respective rounded end.
8 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the fastening system is secured to the mounting tool.
9 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the component is an aviation component.
10 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein a length of the first outer clip arm is greater than a length of the first inner clip arm.
11 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the first outer clip arm includes a recess proximate a terminal portion of the first outer clip arm, and the inner surface of the second outer clip arm includes a recess proximate a terminal portion of the second outer clip arm.
12 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer clip and the inner clip includes a window.
13 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the first outer clip arm extends from a first curved shoulder of the outer clip, and the second outer clip arm extends from a second curved shoulder of the outer clip.
14 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the inner clip includes a body extending between the first inner clip arm and the second inner clip arm, the body defining a void between an inner surface of the first inner clip arm and an inner surface of the second inner clip arm, the void including rounded areas configured to impart springiness to the first inner clip arm and the second inner clip arm.
15 . The fastening system of claim 1 , wherein the fastening system is reusable after the high-temperature process.
16 . A fastening system for securing a mounting tool configured to retain a component that is to undergo a high-temperature process, the fastening system comprising:
an outer clip including a first outer clip arm, a second outer clip arm, a central portion extending between the first outer clip arm and the second outer clip arm, and a central gap, the central gap including an open end and a first channel and a second channel opposing the open end, the first channel defined by an inner surface of the first outer clip arm and an outer surface of the central portion, the second channel defined by an inner surface of the second outer clip arm and the outer surface of the central portion; and
an inner clip including a first inner clip arm and a second inner clip arm, the inner clip configured to be pushed into the central gap such that an outer surface of the first inner clip arm contacts and pushes against the inner surface of the first outer clip arm and an outer surface of the second inner clip arm contacts and pushes against the inner surface of the second outer clip arm;
wherein the outer clip and the inner clip are configured to thermally expand during the high-temperature process such that the first outer clip arm and the second outer clip arm are pushed outward with increased force.
17 . The fastening system of claim 16 , wherein the first channel and the second channel are formed on opposing sides of the central portion.
18 . A reusable fastening system for securing a mounting tool configured to retain a component that is to undergo a high-temperature process, the fastening system comprising:
an outer clip including a first outer clip arm having a bowed section, a second outer clip arm having a bowed section, a central portion extending between the first outer clip arm and the second outer clip arm, and a central gap, the central gap including an open end and a first channel and a second channel opposing the open end, the first channel defined by an inner surface of the first outer clip arm and an outer surface of the central portion, the second channel defined by an inner surface of the second outer clip arm and the outer surface of the central portion; and
an inner clip including a first inner clip arm having a bowed area corresponding to the bowed section of the first outer clip arm, a second inner clip arm having a bowed area corresponding to the bowed section of the second outer clip arm, the inner clip configured to be pushed into the central gap such that an outer surface of the first inner clip arm contacts and pushes against the inner surface of the first outer clip arm and an outer surface of the second inner clip arm contacts and pushes against the inner surface of the second outer clip arm.
19 . The fastening system of claim 18 , wherein each of the first channel and the second channel has a rounded end.
20 . The fastening system of claim 18 , wherein when the inner clip is pushed into the central gap, the first outer clip arm and the second outer clip arm extend generally in a first direction, and the first inner clip arm and the second inner clip arm extend generally in a second direction opposite the first direction.