Double flanged bushings and installation methods

Abstract

A dual bushing installation kit includes a first metal bushing and a second metal bushing. The first metal bushing can include a first body having first and second ends. The first and second ends are connected by a first outer surface having a first outer circumference and a first inner surface having a first inner circumference. The second metal bushing is defined by a second body having first and second ends. The first and second ends are connected by a second outer surface having a second outer circumference and a second inner surface having a second inner circumference. The second outer circumference is dimensioned to be substantially conforming with the first inner circumference such that the second bushing is closely receivable by a first opening of the first bushing. Both the second outer circumference and the first inner circumference can be expanded in an outwardly radial direction.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of installing a pair of bushings in an opening extending between a first side and a second side of a work member, the method comprising:
 inserting a first tubular body of a first bushing into the opening of the work member such that a first flange connected to the first tubular body is at least proximate to the first side of the work member;   inserting a second tubular body of a second bushing into the opening of the work member such that a second flange connected to the second tubular body is at least proximate to the second side of the work member, the first and the second tubular bodies extending through the opening towards each other;   expanding the first tubular body of the first bushing using a mandrel to cause an outer surface of the first tubular body to expanded a first section of the opening through which the first tubular body extends; and   after expanding at least a substantial portion of the first tubular body, expanding the second tubular body of the second bushing by moving the mandrel away from the first tubular body through the second tubular body so as to cause an outer surface of the second tubular body to expanded a second section of the opening through which the second tubular body extends.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 inducing fatigue life enhancing compressive stresses along at least substantially all of a tubular surface of the work member defining the opening by the expansion of both the first tubular body and the second tubular body.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein inserting the second tubular body comprises forming a relatively narrow gap between a flangeless end of the first tubular body and a flangeless end of the second tubular body. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein a width of the gap measured along a longitudinal axis of the opening is less than a radial wall thickness of at least one of the first tubular body and the second tubular body. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein inserting the second tubular body comprises positioning a non-flanged end of the second tubular body at least proximate to the second tubular body with respect to a longitudinal axis of the opening. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first bushing and the second bushing together define a passageway having a substantially uniform circumference throughout almost all of a longitudinal length of the passageway. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 forming a first interference fit between the first tubular body and the work member by expanding the first tubular body; and   forming a second interference fit between the second tubular body and the work member by expanding the second tubular body.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 positioning a tubular member between a first portion of the work member and the first tubular body and a second portion of the work member and the second tubular body such that expanding the first and the second tubular bodies causes corresponding expansion of the tubular member, the first and the second portions define the opening.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein inserting the first tubular body includes positioning the first tubular body along a passageway of the tubular member. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 forming interference fits between the tubular member and both the first and the second portions of the work member.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 forming a first interference fit between the first tubular body and the tubular member by expanding the first tubular body; and   forming a second interference fit between the second tubular body and the tubular member by expanding the second tubular body.