ADHESIVE APPLICATION IN ROTORCRAFT CONNECTION JOINTS

• US 20150336368A1
• Filed: 05/21/2014
• Published: 11/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Ross, Brent C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,713,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4835 Heat curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/5071 and being composed by one single element
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/5085 and comprising grooves, e.g. being E-shaped, H-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/52 characterised by the way of applying the adhesive B29C65/50 takes precedence; apparatus for applying liquids in general B05C; processes for applying liquids in general B05D
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/562 using extra joining elements, i.e. which are not integral with the parts to be joined using plastic snap elements B29C65/58; using plastic rivets B29C65/601
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/72 by combined operations or combined techniques, e.g. welding and stitching
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/7826 said distance pieces being non-integral with the parts to be joined, e.g. particles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/004 Preventing sticking together, e.g. of some areas of the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/12441 being a single wall
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/322 Providing cavities in the joined article to collect the burr
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43441 with two right angles, e.g. for making T-shaped pieces, H-shaped pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/474 said single elements being substantially non-flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/721 Fibre-reinforced materials B29C66/729 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7254 honeycomb structures
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3082 Fuselages
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3088 Helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/1284 Application of adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/142 Laminating of sheets, panels or inserts, e.g. stiffeners, by wrapping in at least one outer layer, or inserting into a preformed pocket
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 11/008 of tubular elements or rods in coaxial engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1057 Subsequent to assembly of laminae

Abstract

A method for applying adhesive to sides of a flange, such as in rotorcraft connection joints, includes attaching an intermediate member to an edge of a flange and flowing adhesive in gaps between sides of the flange and inner edges of a double lap joint element by inserting the flange with the intermediate member into the double lap joint element.

Claims

1. A method for applying adhesive to sides of a flange, the method comprising:

attaching an intermediate member to an edge of a flange; and

flowing adhesive in gaps between sides of the flange and inner edges of a double lap joint element by inserting the flange with the intermediate member into the double lap joint element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate member prevents the edge of the flange from contacting the adhesive.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting the flange with the intermediate member into the double lap joint element comprises lowering the flange with the intermediate member into the double lap joint element;

and

wherein the edge of the flange is a lower edge of the flange.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning, at a bottom surface of the double lap joint element, a channel member having a profile that is substantially similar to a profile of the intermediate member.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the channel member is permanently bonded to the bottom surface of the double lap joint element.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the channel member is removable from the bottom of the double lap joint element.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising applying a predetermined volume of the adhesive on the channel member after positioning the channel member at the bottom of the double lap joint element, wherein the channel member prevents the adhesive from contacting the bottom surface of the double lap joint element.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising applying a predetermined volume of the adhesive on the channel member before positioning the channel member at the bottom of the double lap joint element, wherein the channel member prevents the adhesive from contacting the bottom surface of the double lap joint element.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the intermediate member comprises a contoured plunger.

10. The method of claim 4, further comprising tightening a fastener through the double lap joint element and the channel member and connected to the intermediate member to force the intermediate member closer to the bottom surface of the double lap joint element.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate member includes a tubular portion, and wherein the method further comprises filling the tubular portion of the intermediate member with the adhesive.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising causing perforations to be formed in a plurality of perforable positions on a surface of the tubular member of the intermediate member through which the adhesive flows into the gaps between the sides of the flange and the inner edges of the double lap joint element.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein causing perforations to be formed in a plurality of perforable positions on a surface of the tubular member comprises forcing the intermediate member against a bottom surface of the double lap joint element.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising eliminating excess adhesive at a bottom surface of the double lap joint element using a spacer positioned at the bottom surface of the double lap joint element.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising positioning, at a bottom surface of the double lap joint element, a channel member before inserting the intermediate member into the double lap joint element.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive includes a predetermined volume of adhesive.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing excess adhesive from the sides of the flange.

18. A method for applying adhesive to sides of a flange, the method comprising:

attaching an intermediate member to an edge of a flange;

positioning a channel member between the intermediate member and a bottom surface of a double lap joint element;

applying a predetermined volume of adhesive on the channel member, wherein the channel member prevents the adhesive from contacting the bottom surface of the double lap joint element; and

inserting the flange with the intermediate member into the channel member in the double lap joint element causing adhesive between the intermediate member and the double lap joint element to flow in gaps between sides of the flange and inner edges of the double lap joint element.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein positioning a channel member between the intermediate member and a bottom surface of a double lap joint element comprises positioning the channel member at the bottom surface of the double lap joint element.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein positioning the channel member at the bottom surface of the double lap joint element comprises positioning the channel member after applying a predetermined volume of adhesive on the channel member.

21. A method for applying adhesive to sides of a flange, the method comprising:

attaching an intermediate member that includes a tubular portion to an edge of a flange;

applying a predetermined volume of adhesive in the tubular portion of the intermediate member; and

inserting the flange with the intermediate member into a double lap joint element causing adhesive in the tubular portion of the intermediate member to flow in gaps between sides of the flange and inner edges of the double lap joint element.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising forcing the intermediate member against a bottom surface of the double lap joint element to cause adhesive to flow through a plurality of perforations present in the tubular portion of the intermediate member and into the gaps between the sides of the flange and the inner edges of the double lap joint element.