CPC F02K 1/80 (2013.01) [F02K 9/64 (2013.01); F02K 9/972 (2013.01); B23K 9/0026 (2013.01)] | 17 Claims |
9. A method for coupling adjacent segments together, comprising:
positioning a first segment proximate a second segment to form an opening therebetween;
coupling a first inner wall of the first segment to a second inner wall of the second segment;
positioning a joint insert within the opening, after coupling the first inner wall to the second inner wall, to align the joint insert with a first outer wall of the first segment and a second outer wall of the second segment;
forming a first cavity proximate the first segment at least partially defined by the joint insert, the first cavity being aligned with a first mating interface between the first segment and the joint insert;
forming a second cavity proximate the second segment at least partially defined by the joint insert, the second cavity being aligned with a second mating interface between the second segment and the joint insert; and
securing the joint insert directly to the first outer wall and directly to the second outer wall, the joint insert forming a space between a bottom of the joint insert and the first inner wall and the second inner wall.
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