Bipod Flexure Ring

Abstract

A thermal coupling includes a first structure having a first coefficient of thermal expansion; a second structure having a second coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion; a plurality of thermal expansion fingers provided in the first structure; a plurality of thermal expansion flanges extending from the plurality of thermal expansion fingers, respectively; and a flange extending from the second structure and attached to the plurality of thermal expansion flanges.

1 . A thermal coupling, comprising:
 a first structure having a first coefficient of thermal expansion;   a second structure having a second coefficient of thermal expansion lower than said first coefficient of thermal expansion;   a plurality of thermal expansion fingers provided in said first structure;   a plurality of thermal expansion flanges extending from said plurality of thermal expansion fingers, respectively; and   a flange extending from said second structure and attached to said plurality of thermal expansion flanges.   
   
   
       2 . The thermal coupling of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of thermal expansion flanges is disposed in generally perpendicular relationship with respect to said plurality of thermal expansion fingers, respectively. 
   
   
       3 . The thermal coupling of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of thermal expansion slots provided in said first structure between said plurality of thermal expansion fingers. 
   
   
       4 . The thermal coupling of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of fastener openings extending through said plurality of thermal expansion fingers, respectively, and said flange, and a plurality of flange fasteners extending through said plurality of fastener openings, respectively. 
   
   
       5 . The thermal coupling of  claim 1  wherein said first structure comprises metal. 
   
   
       6 . The thermal coupling of  claim 1  wherein said second structure comprises ceramic. 
   
   
       7 . The thermal coupling of  claim 1  wherein said first structure comprises a generally elongated, cylindrical first structure wall and further comprising a plurality of thermal expansion slots provided in said first structure wall between said plurality of thermal expansion fingers. 
   
   
       8 . The thermal coupling of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of thermal expansion flanges has beveled flange edges. 
   
   
       9 . A thermal coupling, comprising:
 an attachment frame;   a plurality of frame ribs extending from said attachment frame;   a plurality of fastener rings provided on said plurality of frame ribs, respectively; and   a plurality of fastener ring openings provided in said plurality of fastener rings, respectively.   
   
   
       10 . The thermal coupling of  claim 9  wherein said attachment frame comprises an annular frame ring and an annular frame flange extending from said frame ring. 
   
   
       11 . The thermal coupling of  claim 10  further comprising a plurality of spaced-apart fastener openings provided in said frame ring. 
   
   
       12 . The thermal coupling of  claim 10  further comprising a plurality of spaced-apart fastener openings provided in said frame flange. 
   
   
       13 . The thermal coupling of  claim 10  wherein said frame flange is disposed in generally perpendicular relationship with respect to said frame ring. 
   
   
       14 . The thermal coupling of  claim 9  wherein each of said plurality of frame ribs comprises a pair of generally elongated rib members extending from said attachment frame and converging on a corresponding one of said plurality of fastener rings. 
   
   
       15 . A thermal coupling, comprising:
 an annular attachment frame;   a plurality of generally elongated frame ribs extending from said attachment frame in angular relationship with respect to each other;   a plurality of fastener rings provided on said plurality of frame ribs, respectively; and   a plurality of fastener ring openings provided in said plurality of fastener rings, respectively.   
   
   
       16 . The thermal coupling of  claim 15  wherein said attachment frame comprises an annular frame ring and an annular frame flange extending from said frame ring. 
   
   
       17 . The thermal coupling of  claim 16  further comprising a plurality of spaced-apart fastener openings provided in said frame ring. 
   
   
       18 . The thermal coupling of  claim 16  further comprising a plurality of spaced-apart fastener openings provided in said frame flange. 
   
   
       19 . The thermal coupling of  claim 16  wherein said frame flange is disposed in generally perpendicular relationship with respect to said frame ring. 
   
   
       20 . The thermal coupling of  claim 15  wherein each of said plurality of frame ribs comprises a pair of generally elongated rib members extending from said attachment frame and converging on a corresponding one of said plurality of fastener rings.