Composite rivet blank and installation thereof

Abstract

Composite fasteners, associated blanks and also methods and apparatus for the installation of such fasteners are disclosed. An exemplary composite rivet disclosed comprises an elongated body including braided reinforcement fibers embedded inside the body and supported in a matrix material. Also disclosed are structural assemblies comprising composite fasteners and panels or other parts comprising composite and/or other materials.

1 .- 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . An apparatus for installing a composite rivet, the apparatus comprising:
 a first finishing member configured to be positioned on a first side of a part into which a composite rivet blank has been inserted and finish a first end of the blank by applying pressure to the first end of the blank;   a second finishing member configured to be positioned on a second side of a part into which the blank has been positioned and finish a second end of the blank by applying pressure to the second end of the blank; and   a heating element configured to heat the blank to a temperature sufficient to permit thermoforming of the first end and second end of the blank via the first finishing member and the second finishing member.   
     
     
         47 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 46 , wherein the heating element is configured to heat the blank when the blank is outside of the part. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 46 , wherein the heating element is thermally coupled to at least one of the first finishing member and the second finishing member to cause heating of the blank via the at least one of the first finishing member and the second finishing member. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 46 , wherein at least one of the first finishing member and second finishing member comprises a fiber anchoring feature configured to at least partially control deformation of reinforcement fibers in the blank during thermoforming of the at least one associated first end and second end of the blank. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 49 , wherein the fiber anchoring feature comprises a recess. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 46 , wherein at least one of the first finishing member and the second finishing member is thermally coupled to an active cooling device. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 46 , wherein the first finishing member comprises a ram disposed inside a sleeve where the sleeve is movable relative to the ram.