Applying sealant to narrow deep gaps in an ablative heat shield surface
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- assembling a plurality of ablative elements into a heat shield of a spacecraft, wherein the elements form long, narrow, deep gaps there between;
sealing the gaps between the ablative elements with a thixotropic sealant, wherein sealing a portion of the gap includesapplying tape to a surface of the heat shield to cover the gap portion;
inserting a flared end dispensing nozzle into the covered portion; and
applying a vacuum to the covered portion downstream of the flared end nozzle, the vacuum applied while using the nozzle to inject the sealant into the gap, the vacuum causing the sealant to flow through the covered gap portion, the vacuum also removing voids from the sealant in the gap.
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Abstract
A method of applying sealant to a narrow, deep gap in a surface includes covering the gap to form a covered channel, inserting a flared end of a dispensing nozzle into the covered gap at a first location, and applying a vacuum to the covered gap at a second location while using the nozzle to inject the sealant into the gap at the first location. This method may be used to seal gaps between ablative elements of a heat shield.
19 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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assembling a plurality of ablative elements into a heat shield of a spacecraft, wherein the elements form long, narrow, deep gaps there between; sealing the gaps between the ablative elements with a thixotropic sealant, wherein sealing a portion of the gap includes applying tape to a surface of the heat shield to cover the gap portion; inserting a flared end dispensing nozzle into the covered portion; and applying a vacuum to the covered portion downstream of the flared end nozzle, the vacuum applied while using the nozzle to inject the sealant into the gap, the vacuum causing the sealant to flow through the covered gap portion, the vacuum also removing voids from the sealant in the gap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification