METAL ATTACHMENT

• US 20160169262A1
• Filed: 07/21/2014
• Published: 06/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lisi Aerospace (Compagnie Industrielle De Delle)
• Original Assignee: Lisi Aerospace (Compagnie Industrielle De Delle)
• Inventors: Regnard, Benoit, Goyer, Julien, Broucke, Martial
• Granted Patent: US 10,851,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/02 Lightning protectors; Static dischargers in general H01T
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/022 Anodisation on selected surface areas
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 25/0021 the material being metal, e.g. sheet-metal or aluminium F16B25/0031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 33/006 Non-metallic fasteners using screw-thread
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 33/06 Surface treatment of parts furnished with screw-thread, e.g. for preventing seizure or fretting corrosion preventing means F16B33/008; settable coatings for locking threaded members F16B39/225; deformable coatings for locking threaded members F16B39/34

Abstract

The invention concerns a metal attachment for providing an electrically conductive surface through the entire thickness of structural elements to be assembled. The attachment thereby comprises a head (12)and a smooth shank (14) extending along an axis of revolution, characterized in that the shank comprising at least one conductive portion (24) and one lubricating portion (22) disposed along the axis of revolution of the attachment along at least one length of the shank. The attachment according to the invention provides a conductive surface through the entire thickness of the structure in which it is installed. The attachment according to the invention is intended, in particular, for aeronautical applications.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A metal fastener comprising an expanded head and a smooth shank extending in an axis of revolution, wherein the shank comprises at least one conductive portion and at least one lubricating portion, disposed continuously along the axis of revolution of the fastener.

13. A metal fastener according to claim 12, wherein the conductive and lubricating portions are disposed parallel to the axis of revolution of the fastener. (New) A metal fastener according to claim 13, wherein at least two lubricating portions are disposed in diametrically opposite fashion relative to the axis of revolution of the fastener.

15. A metal fastener according to claim 12, wherein the conductive and lubricating portions are disposed helically around the axis of revolution of the fastener.

16. A metal fastener according to claim 12, wherein the conductive portion is a bare metal portion, or a bare metal portion covered with an electrically conductive layer.

17. A metal fastener according to claim 16, wherein the bare metal portion comprises titanium.

18. A metal fastener according to claim 17, wherein the bare metal portion comprises titanium oxidized by sulphuric acid anodizing.

19. A metal fastener according to claim 16, wherein the electrically conductive layer is aluminum.

20. A metal fastener according to claim 16, wherein electrically conductive layer is a conductive organic coating.

21. A metal fastener according to claim 12, wherein the lubricating portion is a solid lubricating film or an organic resin coating comprising aluminum pigments.

22. A metal fastener according to claim 18, wherein the lubricating portion has a thickness of 5 to 13 microns.

23. A metal fastener of claim 19, wherein the lubricating coating comprises phenolic resin.

24. A metal fastener according to claim 12, wherein the shank is cylindrical or conical.

25. A metal fastener according to claim 12, further comprising a metal sleeve of which an inner diameter is less than an outer diameter of the fastener'"'"'s shank.

26. A metal fastener according to claim 12, wherein the locking portion comprises a thread or lock grooves.

27. A metal fastener comprising an expanded head and a smooth shank extending in an axis of revolution, wherein the shank comprises at least one conductive portion and at least one lubricating portion disposed continuously and parallel along the axis of revolution of the fastener, wherein the smooth shank comprises a cylindrical shaft, and the at least conductive portion is surface-treated by means of anode oxidation.

28. A metal fastener of claim 27, wherein the cylindrical shaft comprises a plurality of conductive portions that are surface-treated by means of anode oxidation, and a plurality of lubricating portions, the conductive and lubricating portions extending over angular sectors that are distributed around the periphery of the cylindrical shaft.

29. A metal fastener of claim 28, wherein the conductive and lubricating portions are distributed in a substantially uniform manner around the periphery of the cylindrical shaft.

30. A metal fastener of claim 29 wherein the cylindrical shaft comprises four conductive portions that are surface-treated by means of anode oxidation, each over four angular sectors of an angle substantially 45°

, respectively, and that are separated in pairs by means of the lubricating coating and extends over an angular sector of an angle of substantially 45°

.

31. A metal fastener comprising an expanded head and a smooth shank extending in an axis of revolution, wherein the shank comprises at least one conductive portion and at least one lubricating portion disposed continuously and parallel along the axis of revolution of the fastener, wherein the smooth shank comprises a cylindrical shaft, and the at least conductive portion is a bare metal portion.

32. A metal fastener of claim 31, wherein the cylindrical shaft comprises a plurality of conductive portions that are bare metal portions, and a plurality of lubricating portions, the conductive and lubricating portions extending over angular sectors that are distributed around the periphery of the cylindrical shaft.

33. A metal fastener of claim 32, wherein the conductive and lubricating portions are distributed in a substantially uniform manner around the periphery of the cylindrical shaft.

34. A metal fastener of claim 33 wherein the cylindrical shaft comprises four conductive portions that are bare metal portions, each over four angular sectors of an angle substantially 45°

, respectively, and that are separated in pairs by means of the lubricating coating and extends over an angular sector of an angle of substantially 45°

.

35. An aircraft assembly, comprising a first component, a second component, and a metal fastener comprising a shaft and an end for securing the first and second components, the metal fastener comprising at least one conductive portion and at least one lubricating portion extending continuously along the axis of revolution of the fastener.

36. The aircraft assembly of claim 35 wherein the cylindrical shaft comprises a plurality conductive portions that are bare metal portions and a plurality of lubricating portions, the conductive and lubricating portions extending over angular sectors that are distributed around the periphery of the cylindrical shaft.

37. The aircraft assembly of claim 36, wherein the bare metal portions are oxidized by sulfuric acid anodizing.