Transition-joints for joining dissimilar materials

Abstract

An assembly includes a first structural member made from a first material, such as aluminum, and having a first and a second flange, a second structural member having a first and a second flange and made from a second material, such as magnesium, and a third and a fourth structural member made from the first material and each having a first and second flange for contacting with the flanges of the first and second structural members so as to lock the first and second members together.

1 . An assembly, comprising:
 a first structural member made from a first material, the first structural member having a first flange and a second flange;   a second structural member made from a second material, the second structural member having a first flange and a second flange;   a third structural member made from the first material, the third structural member having a first flange and a second flange;   a fourth structural member made from the first material, the fourth structural member having a first flange and a second flange;   wherein the first flange of the first structural member contacts the first flange of the third structural member, the second flange of the first structural member contacts the first flange of the fourth structural member, the first flange of the second structural member contacts the second flange of the third structural member, and the second flange of the second structural member contacts the second flange of the fourth structural member; and   wherein the first structural member and the third structural member are joined directly to one another at a point of contact between the first structural member and the first flange of the third structural member, and the first structural member and the fourth structural member are joined directly to one another at a point of contact between the first structural member and the first flange of the fourth structural member, so as to lock the first structural member and second structural member together.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first structural member and the third structural member are joined directly to one another by welding at a point of contact between the first structural member and the first flange of the third structural member and the first structural member and the fourth structural member are joined directly to one another by welding at a point of contact between the first structural member and the first flange of the fourth structural member. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first structural member is a top locking plate or “T” extrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second structural member has a “T” shape when viewed on cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the point of contact between the first structural member and third structural member comprises a partial swivel type joint. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second structural members contact each other. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the third and fourth structural members substantially conform to the outer contour of the first structural member and second structural member when the assembly is viewed on cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sealants or adhesives joining at least two structural members to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more fasteners joining at least two structural members to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more fasteners comprise bolts or rivets. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first structural member made from a first material, said first structural member having a first flange and a second flange;   providing a second structural member made from a second material, said second structural member having a first flange and a second flange;   providing a third structural member made from the first material, said third structural member having at a first flange and a second flange;   providing a fourth structural member made from the first material, said fourth structural member having at a first flange and a second flange;   contacting the first flange of the first structural member with the first flange of the third structural member, the second flange of the first structural member with the first flange of the fourth structural member, the first flange of the second structural member with the second flange of the third structural member, and the second flange of the second structural member with the second flange of the fourth structural member; and   directly joining the first structural member and the third structural member to one another at a point of contact between the first structural member and the first flange of the third structural member; and   directly joining the first structural member and the fourth structural member to one another at a point of contact between the first structural member and the first flange of the fourth structural member,   thereby locking the first structural member and second structural member together.