Systems and methods for making and using a fitted cap for applying a shaped sealant shroud to a portion of a fastener
First Claim
1. A system for applying a shaped sealant shroud to a portion of a fastener, the system comprising:
- a fitted cap, comprising a wall, a cap cavity defined by the wall and configured to receive sealant therein, and a relief opening that fully penetrates the wall, wherein the fitted cap is positionable over the portion of the fastener such that;
the portion of the fastener is received within the cap cavity;
a uniform gap is formed between the wall of the fitted cap and the portion of the fastener; and
the relief opening is communicatively coupled with the uniform gap; and
a cap-manipulation tool, comprising a shaft, wherein;
the shaft has a longitudinal central axis and comprises a through, circumferentially closed, channel; and
the cap-manipulation tool is configured to couple to the fitted cap such that;
the through, circumferentially closed, channel of the shaft is communicatively coupled with the relief opening of the fitted cap andthe fitted cap is rotatable together with the shaft about the longitudinal central axis of the shaft to distribute the sealant, previously introduced into the cap cavity, in the uniform gap to form the shaped sealant shroud around the portion of the fastener, wherein the relief opening is oriented to purge at least one of gas or excess of the sealant from the uniform gap into the through, circumferentially closed, channel of the shaft.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system (1501) for applying a shaped sealant shroud (590) to a portion (106) of a fastener (100) comprises a fitted cap (300) having a cap cavity (303) configured to receive sealant (592) therein, and a relief opening (316). The fitted cap (300) is positionable over the fastener (100) such that a uniform gap (302) is formed between a wall (305) of the fitted cap (300) and the portion (106) of the fastener (100), and the relief opening (316) is communicatively coupled with the uniform gap (302). The system (1501) also comprises a cap-manipulation tool (500) comprising a shaft (510) comprising a through, circumferentially closed, channel (516) communicatively coupled with the relief opening (316) of the fitted cap (300). The fitted cap (300) is rotatable together with the shaft (510) to distribute the sealant (592), previously introduced into the cap cavity (303), in the uniform gap (302) to form the shaped sealant shroud (590). The relief opening (316) is oriented to purge at least one of gas or excess of the sealant (592) from the uniform gap (302) into the channel (516).
19 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for applying a shaped sealant shroud to a portion of a fastener, the system comprising:
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a fitted cap, comprising a wall, a cap cavity defined by the wall and configured to receive sealant therein, and a relief opening that fully penetrates the wall, wherein the fitted cap is positionable over the portion of the fastener such that; the portion of the fastener is received within the cap cavity; a uniform gap is formed between the wall of the fitted cap and the portion of the fastener; and the relief opening is communicatively coupled with the uniform gap; and a cap-manipulation tool, comprising a shaft, wherein; the shaft has a longitudinal central axis and comprises a through, circumferentially closed, channel; and the cap-manipulation tool is configured to couple to the fitted cap such that; the through, circumferentially closed, channel of the shaft is communicatively coupled with the relief opening of the fitted cap and the fitted cap is rotatable together with the shaft about the longitudinal central axis of the shaft to distribute the sealant, previously introduced into the cap cavity, in the uniform gap to form the shaped sealant shroud around the portion of the fastener, wherein the relief opening is oriented to purge at least one of gas or excess of the sealant from the uniform gap into the through, circumferentially closed, channel of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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11. A method for applying a shaped sealant shroud to a portion of a fastener, the method comprising steps of:
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coupling a cap-manipulation tool to a fitted cap, wherein; the fitted cap comprises a wall, a cap cavity, defined by the wall, and a relief opening that fully penetrates the wall; the cap-manipulation tool comprises a shaft; and the shaft comprises a through, circumferentially closed, channel, configured to be communicatively coupled with the relief opening of the fitted cap; introducing sealant into the cap cavity; positioning the fitted cap over the portion of the fastener such that; the portion is received within the cap cavity; a uniform gap is formed between the wall of the fitted cap and the portion of the fastener; and the relief opening of the fitted cap is communicatively coupled with the uniform gap; and rotating the shaft about a longitudinal central axis of the shaft, and wherein the fitted cap rotates together with the shaft such that the sealant, previously introduced into the cap cavity, is distributed in the uniform gap to form the shaped sealant shroud around the portion of the fastener and the relief opening is oriented to purge at least one of gas or excess of the sealant from the uniform gap. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification