Methods for covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface

• US 10,233,961 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2017
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Cameron, Michael Scott, Rawdon, Blaine Knight
• Primary Examiner(s): Cozart, Jermie
• Application Number:
  US15/438,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20170167525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/14459 injecting seal elements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14336 Coating a portion of the article, e.g. the edge of the article B29C45/14573 and B29C45/14598 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14377 using an additional insert, e.g. a fastening element
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2001/00 Articles provided with screw threads
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3076 Aircrafts blades, propellers B29L2031/08
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/02 Tanks tanks constructed integrally with aircraft wings B64C; shape or construction of tanks per se B65D
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/32 Safety measures not otherwise provided for, e.g. preventing explosive conditions extinguishing or preventing fires in aircraft A62C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/02 Lightning protectors; Static dischargers in general H01T
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/04 with bayonet catch
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/14 Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49963 Threaded fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49966 with supplemental joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49993 Filling of opening

Abstract

A cap for use in covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface is provided. The portion includes threads. The cap includes an interior, a base that at least partially delimits the interior, a threaded receptacle on the interior configured to threadably engage the portion of the fastener, and a seal coupled to the base to engage the surface.

Claims

1. A method of covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface with a cap that comprises a wall, an interior at least partially delimited by the wall, and at least one cam in the interior, the method comprising:

coupling at least one tab with the fastener;

covering the portion of the fastener with the cap; and

rotating the cap to engage the at least one cam with the at least one tab.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein rotating the cap comprises positively engaging the at least one cam with the at least one tab.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cap comprises at least one port extending through the wall.

4. The method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the at least one port is a single port.

5. The method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising:

sealing a base of the cap against the surface;

creating a vacuum in the interior of the cap; and

injecting a sealant into the interior of the cap.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein creating the vacuum in the interior of the cap comprises withdrawing air from the interior through the single port, extending through the wall of the cap.

7. The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein injecting the sealant into the interior of the cap comprises injecting a predetermined amount of the sealant of the cap through the single port, extending through the wall of the cap.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein injecting the predetermined amount of the sealant into the interior of the cap comprises determining the predetermined amount of the sealant based on a vacant volume of the interior of the cap.

9. The method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising discontinuing to inject the sealant into the interior of the cap upon detection of a predetermined back pressure at the single port, extending through the wall of the cap.

10. The method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising:

sealing a base of the cap against the surface;

injecting a sealant into the interior of the cap through the at least one port, extending through the wall of the cap; and

allowing air to escape from the interior of the cap through the at least one port.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the at least one port, extending through the wall of the cap, comprises an injection port and a bleed port.

12. The method in accordance with claim 11, wherein:

the sealant is injected into the interior of the cap through the injection port, and

the air escapes from the interior of the cap through the bleed port.

13. A method of covering a portion of a fastener protruding from a surface with a cap that comprises a base, an interior at least partially delimited by the base, at least one cam in the interior of the cap, and a wall, having at least one port extending therethrough, the method comprising:

coupling at least one tab to the fastener;

rotatably engaging the at least one cam with the tab; and

sealing the base of the cap against the surface with a seal of the cap, wherein the seal is coupled to the base.

14. The method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising coupling a collar to the fastener, wherein the collar comprises the at least one tab.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, wherein coupling the collar to the fastener comprises coupling the collar to the fastener using a retainer.

16. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein coupling the at least one tab to the fastener comprises coupling the at least one tab to the fastener such that the at least one tab is spaced from the surface.

17. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein rotatably engaging the at least one cam comprises rotatably engaging the at least one cam such that a notch formed in the at least one cam engages the at least one tab.

18. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the cap further comprises a plurality of cams in the interior.

19. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein coupling at least one tab to the fastener comprises coupling the at least one tab to the fastener such that the at least one tab is angled away from the surface.