Method and apparatus for covering a fastener system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A process for covering a fastener system, the process comprising:
- calculating a predetermined depth between a flange of a cover and a surface of an object;
placing a sealant material and the cover over a portion of the fastener system which extends above the surface of the object retaining the fastener system such that the cover comprises a monolithic domed form comprising a number of composite materials;
forming a contactless connection between the cover with the fastener system and the object so that the sealant material envelopes a radially extending flange of the cover and surrounds a portion of an outside surface of the cover, while maintaining a non-zero depth of the sealant material between a bottom of the flange and a surface of an object from which the fastener system extends; and
suppressing, using the sealant material and the cover, an effect of an electrical discharge, occurring around the fastener system, on an environment outside the cover.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for covering a fastener system. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a cover. The cover is configured to be placed over a fastener system at a surface of an object in which the fastener system is installed. The cover is comprised of a number of composite materials selected such that the cover is configured to reduce an effect of an electrical discharge, which occurs around the fastener system, on an environment outside the cover.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A process for covering a fastener system, the process comprising:
-
calculating a predetermined depth between a flange of a cover and a surface of an object; placing a sealant material and the cover over a portion of the fastener system which extends above the surface of the object retaining the fastener system such that the cover comprises a monolithic domed form comprising a number of composite materials; forming a contactless connection between the cover with the fastener system and the object so that the sealant material envelopes a radially extending flange of the cover and surrounds a portion of an outside surface of the cover, while maintaining a non-zero depth of the sealant material between a bottom of the flange and a surface of an object from which the fastener system extends; and suppressing, using the sealant material and the cover, an effect of an electrical discharge, occurring around the fastener system, on an environment outside the cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A process for reducing an effect of an electrical discharge, occurring at a fastener system, on an environment, the process comprising:
-
calculating a predetermined depth between a flange of a cover and a surface of an object; selecting an amount of a sealant material and placing the sealant material inside a cover, the cover being a monolithic domed shaped composite; encircling an exposed portion of the fastener system with the cover; extruding, by placing the cover encircling the fastening system, the sealant material between a radially extending flange of the cover and an object retaining the fastener system; and covering the radially extending flange with the sealant material, by fairing the sealant material extruded between the radially extending flange of the cover and the object retaining the fastener system, to form a fairing of sealant material from an exterior side of the cover to the object retaining the fastener system and forming a contactless connection between the cover with the fastener system and the object retaining the fastener system; and suppressing an undesired release, in response to the electrical discharge, occurring at the fastener system, of a number of materials into the environment outside the cover; wherein when the cover is placed over the fastener system, sealant material is forced out of the cover to form a sealant layer at the predetermined depth and to form the fairing; and wherein the sealant material envelopes the radially extending flange of the cover and surrounds a portion of an outside surface of the cover, while maintaining a non-zero depth of the sealant material between a bottom of the flange and a surface of an object from which the fastener system extends. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A portion of an aircraft assembled according to a process for covering a fastener system, the process comprising:
-
calculating a predetermined depth between a flange of a cover and a surface of an object; placing a sealant material and the cover over a portion of the fastener system which extends above the surface of the object retaining the fastener system such that the cover comprises a monolithic domed form comprising a number of composite materials; forming a contactless connection between the cover with the fastener system and the object so that the sealant material envelopes a radially extending flange of the cover and surrounds a portion of an outside surface of the cover, while maintaining a non-zero depth of the sealant material between a bottom of the flange and a surface of an object from which the fastener system extends; and suppressing, using the sealant material and the cover, an effect of an electrical discharge, occurring around the fastener system, on an environment outside the cover. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A portion of a fuel tank assembled according to a process for reducing an effect of an electrical discharge, occurring at a fastener system, on an environment, the process comprising:
-
calculating a predetermined depth between a flange of a cover and a surface of an object; selecting an amount of a sealant material and placing the sealant material inside a cover, the cover being a monolithic domed shaped composite; encircling an exposed portion of the fastener system with the cover; extruding, by placing the cover encircling the fastening system, the sealant material between a radially extending flange of the cover and an object retaining the fastener system; and covering the radially extending flange with the sealant material, by fairing the sealant material extruded between the radially extending flange of the cover and the object retaining the fastener system, to form a fairing of sealant material from an exterior side of the cover to the object retaining the fastener system and forming a contactless connection between the cover with the fastener system and the object retaining the fastener system; and suppressing an undesired release, in response to the electrical discharge, occurring at the fastener system, of a number of materials into the environment outside the cover; wherein when the cover is placed over the fastener system, sealant material is forced out of the cover to form a sealant layer at the predetermined depth and to form the fairing; and wherein the sealant material envelopes the radially extending flange of the cover and surrounds a portion of an outside surface of the cover, while maintaining a non-zero depth of the sealant material between a bottom of the flange and a surface of an object from which the fastener system extends. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
Specification