Self-perforating spacer for an insulation blanket of an aircraft, assembly method for said spacer and insulation blanket for an aircraft fitted with said spacer

• US 10,457,377 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2017
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Christian, D'Ouince, Arnaud, Blind, Serge, Millet, Gerard, Menage, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Do, Rowland
• Application Number:
  US15/810,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20180141635A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/40 Sound or heat insulation , e.g. using insulation blankets
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/403 Arrangement of fasteners specially adapted therefor, e.g. of clips
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 19/086 Self-piercing rivets
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/073 the socket having a resilient part on its inside

Abstract

A self-perforating spacer has a first part and a second part, the first part including a through-seat, the first and second parts being designed to be assembled together and the self-perforating spacer including a cutting system that cuts when the self-perforating spacer is assembled. A method for assembling a self-perforating spacer on an insulation blanket and an insulation blanket fitted with at least one self-perforating spacer is also described.

Claims

1. A self-perforating spacer comprising:

a first part including;

a first head; and

a tube having a first end linked to the first head, a second end that is free and a through-seat opening out firstly at the first head and secondly at the second end;

a second part including;

a second head; and

a body extending from the second head to an end face and including a conduit opening out firstly at the second head and secondly at the end face and configured to receive the tube of the first part,

the self-perforating spacer being configured to assume a disassembled state in which the first and second parts are independent and an assembled state in which the first and second parts are linked and immobilized in relation to one another, the first and second parts having cooperating shapes configured to immobilize, in a fitted and locked state corresponding to the assembled state of the self-perforating spacer, the first and second parts in relation to one another when the tube of the first part is seated in the conduit of the second part,

the spacer further comprising a cutting system including;

a first circular blade positioned on a first face of the first head of the first part; and

a second circular blade positioned on the end face of the second part, the first and second blades being configured and positioned to cooperate and to cut when the self-perforating spacer is in the assembled state, wherein the second circular blade comprises an inner edge, an outer edge, and a beveled end extending between the inner edge and the outer edge and oriented toward the first part in the assembled state.

2. The self-perforating spacer according to claim 1, wherein the external diameter of the second blade is equal to the internal diameter of the first blade.

3. The self-perforating spacer according to claim 1, wherein the tube of the first part includes a peripheral groove, and

wherein the second part includes a plurality of tabs arranged in a tube shape and configured to deform elastically in a radial direction, has a hook configured to cooperate with the peripheral groove of the first part in the fitted and locked state.

4. The self-perforating spacer according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing gasket positioned between the first and second parts.

5. The self-perforating spacer according to claim 4, wherein the sealing gasket is positioned in a groove surrounding the tube.

6. The self-perforating spacer according to claim 1, wherein the first and second parts are configured to form a space in the assembled state, inside the first and second blades, between the first and second heads.

7. A method for assembling a self-perforating spacer on an insulation blanket according to claim 1, the method comprising:

perforation and positioning of the first part on the insulation blanket using a first tool having a head configured to bear against the first part as well as a pointed cylindrical shaft extending from the head and to be seated in the through-seat of the first part; and

cutting of the insulation blanket and assembly of the first and second parts using a second tool having a body that has a bearing surface configured to bear against the second part, the insulation blanket being cut when the body of the second tool and the head of the first tool move towards one another, bringing the self-perforating spacer into the assembled state.

8. The assembly method according to claim 7, wherein the shaft of the first tool is threaded, and

wherein the body of the second tool has a threaded hole configured to be screwed onto the threaded shaft of the first tool, the screwing of the body of the second tool onto the shaft of the first tool cutting the insulation blanket and bringing the self-perforating spacer into the assembled state.

9. An insulation blanket for an aircraft including at least one self-perforating spacer according to one of claim 1.