Methods and device for controlling pressure in reactive multilayer joining and resulting product

Abstract

The invention includes a method of joining two components. The method includes providing at least two components to be joined, a reactive multilayer foil, and a compliant element, placing the reactive multilayer foil between the at least two components, applying pressure on the two components in contact with the reactive multilayer foil via a compliant element, and initiating a chemical transformation of the reactive multilayer foil so as to physically join the at least two components. The invention also includes two components joined using the aforementioned method.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a compliant assembly including at least one compliant element,   wherein the compliant assembly is configured to apply pressure to at least two components and a reactive multilayer foil disposed between the at least two components via the at least one compliant element.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the compliant assembly includes one or more portions configured to have the at least two components and the reactive multilayer foil disposed between the one or more portions. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the one or more portions is configured to be placed in contact with at least one of the at least two components. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one compliant element is configured to be disposed between at least one of the one or more portions and at least one of the at least two components. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein a first of the one or more portions is configured to be disposed between the at least one compliant element and a second of the one or more portions different from the first of the one or more portions. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one compliant element includes at least two compliant elements. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one compliant element is configured such that the pressure applied to the at least two components and the reactive multilayer foil after initiating a chemical transformation of the reactive multilayer foil is between about 80% and about 120% of the pressure applied to the at least two components and the reactive multilayer foil prior to initiating the chemical transformation of the reactive multilayer foil. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one compliant element is a spring. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one compliant element is a plunger. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one compliant element is a component of at least one of a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system, and a piezoelectric system. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one compliant element is a deformable material. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the deformable material is a deformable pad. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one compliant element is a portion of an active feedback system. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the active feedback system is at least one of a pneumatic system, a hydraulic system, and a piezoelectric system. 
     
     
         35 - 40 . (canceled)