Low observable aircraft fastener treatment
First Claim
1. A low observable fastener for use with a panel structure having a panel bore formed therein, the panel structure having a RAM panel layer formed thereon, the RAM panel layer having a RAM panel layer bore formed therethrough aligned with the panel bore, the RAM panel layer bore defining an inner surface, the fastener comprising:
- a fastener head disposable within the panel bore, the fastener head having a tool engagement recess formed therein; and
a RAM treatment layer disposed upon the fastener head and comprising;
a fastener access bore aligned with the tool engagement recess of the fastener head; and
a cylindrical outer surface sized and configured to be concentrically received by the inner surface of the RAM panel layer, the cylindrical outer surface being sized and configured to absorb electromagnetic energy radiating from the inner surface of the RAM panel layer for mitigating radar emissions formed adjacent thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a low observable fastener for use with a panel structure having a panel bore formed therein. The panel structure has a RAM panel layer formed thereon. The RAM panel layer has a RAM panel layer bore formed therethrough aligned with the panel bore. The RAM panel layer bore defines an inner surface. The fastener is provided with a fastener head disposable within the panel bore. The fastener head has a tool engagement recess formed therein. The fastener is further provided with a RAM treatment layer disposed upon the fastener head. The RAM treatment layer has a fastener access bore aligned with the tool engagement recess of the fastener head. The RAM treatment layer further has a cylindrical outer surface sized and configured to be concentrically received by the inner surface of the RAM panel layer. The cylindrical outer surface is sized and configured to absorb electromagnetic energy radiating from the inner surface of the RAM panel layer for mitigating radar emissions formed adjacent thereto.
52 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A low observable fastener for use with a panel structure having a panel bore formed therein, the panel structure having a RAM panel layer formed thereon, the RAM panel layer having a RAM panel layer bore formed therethrough aligned with the panel bore, the RAM panel layer bore defining an inner surface, the fastener comprising:
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a fastener head disposable within the panel bore, the fastener head having a tool engagement recess formed therein; and
a RAM treatment layer disposed upon the fastener head and comprising;
a fastener access bore aligned with the tool engagement recess of the fastener head; and
a cylindrical outer surface sized and configured to be concentrically received by the inner surface of the RAM panel layer, the cylindrical outer surface being sized and configured to absorb electromagnetic energy radiating from the inner surface of the RAM panel layer for mitigating radar emissions formed adjacent thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A low observable fastener treatment for use with a fastener formed to mate with a panel structure, the panel structure having a panel bore formed therein, the fastener having a fastener head disposable within the panel bore and having a tool engagement recess formed therein, the panel structure having a RAM panel layer formed thereon, the RAM panel layer having a RAM panel layer bore formed therethrough aligned with the panel bore, the RAM panel layer bore defining an inner surface, the fastener treatment comprising:
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a RAM treatment layer disposable upon the fastener head and comprising;
a fastener access bore aligned with the tool engagement recess of the fastener head; and
a cylindrical outer surface sized and configured to be concentrically received by the inner surface of the RAM panel layer, the cylindrical outer surface being sized and configured to absorb electromagnetic energy radiating from the inner surface of the RAM panel layer for mitigating radar emissions formed adjacent thereto.
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27. A low observable fastening system comprising:
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a panel structure having a panel bore formed therethrough, the panel structure having a RAM panel layer formed thereon, the RAM panel layer having a RAM panel layer bore formed therethrough aligned with the panel bore, the RAM panel layer bore defining a inner surface;
a fastener head disposable within the panel bore, the fastener head having a tool engagement recess formed therein; and
a RAM treatment layer disposed upon the fastener head and comprising;
a fastener access bore aligned with the tool engagement recess of the fastener head; and
a cylindrical outer surface sized and configured to be concentrically received by the inner surface of the RAM panel layer, the cylindrical outer surface being sized and configured to absorb electromagnetic energy radiating from the inner surface of the RAM panel layer for mitigating radar emissions formed adjacent thereto.
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28. A method for reducing the radar signature associated with a fastener for use with a panel structure having a panel bore formed therein, the panel structure having a RAM panel layer formed thereon, the RAM panel layer having a RAM panel layer bore formed therethrough aligned with the panel bore, the RAM panel layer bore defining an inner surface, the fastener head being disposable within the panel bore, the fastener head having a tool engagement recess formed therein, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) positioning a RAM treatment layer adjacent the fastener head, the RAM treatment layer having a cylindrical outer surface and a fastener access bore extending therethrough;
b) aligning the fastener access bore of the RAM treatment layer with the tool engagement recess of the fastener head;
c) concentrically receiving the cylindrical outer surface of the RAM treatment layer by the inner surface of the RAM panel layer; and
d) absorbing electromagnetic energy radiating from the inner surface of the RAM panel layer with the cylindrical outer surface of the RAM treatment layer for mitigating radar emissions formed adjacent thereto. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification