BUSH ASSEMBLY

• US 20150086143A1
• Filed: 04/25/2013
• Published: 03/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Wilson, James, Quayle, Alan, Hadley, Paul, West, John Colin, Carrick, Simon, Monteith, John, Mason, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,303,693 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 384/130
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/25 Movable or adjustable work or tool supports
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/0028 Tools for removing or installing seals B25B27/0092 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 43/001 for sealing or insulation
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 17/02 for radial load only
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/01 Parts of vehicles in general engines F16C2360/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/74 of sliding-contact bearings

Abstract

A bush assembly comprising a component having a bore, a bush fitted in the bore and having a flange that extends radially outwardly over a surface of the component surrounding the bore, and a seal assembly for sealing the interface between the flange and the surface of the component, wherein the seal assembly includes a seal member and a layer of sealant between the seal member and the interface between the flange and the surface of the component. Also a method for sealing a bush, a kit of parts for forming a bush assembly, and a clamping tool for forming a bush assembly.

Claims

1. A bush assembly comprising a component having a bore, a bush fitted in the bore and having a flange that extends radially outwardly over a surface of the component surrounding the bore, and a seal assembly for sealing the interface between the flange and the surface of the component, wherein the seal assembly includes a seal member and a layer of sealant between the seal member and the interface between the flange and the surface of the component.

2. A bush assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealant layer seals the gap between the seal member and the component and thereby substantially prevent the ingress of contaminants into the interface between the flange and the surface of the component.

3. A bush assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is substantially annular.

4. A bush assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal member includes an inner portion which overlaps with the flange of the bush, and an outer portion which overlaps with the surface of the component.

5. A bush assembly according to claim 4, wherein the sealant layer extends between the inner portion of the seal member and the flange, and between the outer portion of the seal member and the surface of the component.

6. A bush assembly according to claim 5, wherein the layer of sealant comprises a first portion of sealant material between the inner portion of the seal member and the flange of the bush and a second portion of sealant material between the outer portion of the seal member and the component, and wherein there is a gap between the first and second portions of sealant material.

7. A bush assembly according to claim 6, wherein the gap comprises a void extending substantially around a radial outer edge of the flange.

8. A bush assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal member includes at least one groove formed in a lower surface of the seal member, which is filled with the sealant.

9. A bush assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal member includes a plastics material or an elastomeric material.

10. A bush assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seal member comprises a main body formed of a first material and one or more contact elements formed of a second material which is different to the first material, each contact element being provided at the interface between the seal member and the layer of sealant.

11. A bush assembly according to claim 1, wherein the layer of sealant extends beyond an outer edge of the seal member.

12. A bush assembly according to claim 1, wherein the component is an aircraft landing gear component, preferably a main landing gear forging or landing gear rib.

13. A kit of parts for forming a bush assembly, the kit of parts comprising a bush for fitting in a bore in a component, a seal member and a sealant material;

wherein the bush has a flange that is adapted to extend radially outwardly over a surface of the component surrounding the bore when the bush is fitted in the bore; and

wherein the sealant material is for providing a layer of sealant between the seal member and an interface between the flange and the surface of the component such that the layer of sealant and the seal member form a seal assembly for sealing the interface between the flange and the surface of the component.

14. A method for sealing a bush, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a component having a bore with a bush fitted in the bore, the bush having a flange that extends radially outwardly over a surface of the component surrounding the bore;

arranging a seal member with respect to the bush; and

introducing a sealant material so as to provide a layer of the sealant material between the seal member and an interface between the flange and the surface of the component to form a seal assembly for sealing the interface between the flange and the surface of the component.

15. A clamping tool for applying a clamping force for sealing a bush installed in a bore in a component, the tool comprising a first part, a second part and a clamping mechanism;

wherein the first part comprises a recess which is adapted to engage a seal;

the second part is adapted to engage a surface of the component which opposes and faces away from a surface of the component on which the seal is provided;

the clamping mechanism is operable to move the first part relative to the second part, thereby applying a clamping force to the seal; and

wherein the clamping tool includes centring means for centring the clamping tool relative to the bush.