Electrical connection via fastener hole

• US 9,385,448 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quest Integrated, LLC
• Original Assignee: Quest Integrated, LLC
• Inventors: Bondurant, Phillip D., Nino, Giovanni, Rook, David W., Mactutis, Anthony, Bothell, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Huy Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): RHODES-VIVOUR, TEMILADE S
• Application Number:
  US13/956,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20150097590A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/93 Fastener comprising feature for establishing a good electrical connection, e.g. electrostatic discharge or insulation feature
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/00 Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 17/04 Corrosion probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/00 Features of devices classified in G01N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/00 Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0289 Internal structure, e.g. defects, grain size, texture
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2691 Bolts, screws, heads
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2694 Wings or other aircraft parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/223 Supports, positioning or alignment in fixed situation mounting transducers per se G10K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/0416 Connectors, terminals G01R1/0425 and G01R1/0433 take precedence; with measurement function for battery poles G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/00 Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts

Abstract

The systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein provide access to systems located within a closed structure, such that the systems are traditionally difficult for humans to access. Exemplary structures include an engine compartment, airplane wing, or fuselage. This access allows a system located within the structure to be electrically coupled with an electrical I/O device located outside the structure. Access to a system located within the closed structure is provided by way of a hole.

Claims

1. An electrical connection plug sized and configured to mate with, and thereby form an electrical connection with, one or more electrodes disposed within an interior space of a closed structure by way of insertion through a hole in the closed structure, wherein the hole in the closed structure is configured to retain a fastener, and wherein the hole in the closed structure is configured to mate with the plug and form the electrical connection between the plug and the one or more electrodes when the fastener is not in the hole.

2. The plug of claim 1, wherein the hole in the closed structure is configured to retain one or more of a bolt, a rivet, a screw, an insert, a pin, a pipe plug, a bit, an anchor, an insert, a threaded rod, a pin fastener, a blind fastener, a threaded fastener, a stud, a retaining ring, or a special-purpose fastener.

3. The plug of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrodes are coupled to a sensor network or excitation device located inside the closed structure.

4. The plug of claim 1, wherein the plug is sized and configured to be anchored when mated with the one or more electrodes.

5. The plug of claim 1, wherein the plug is configured to electrically couple the one or more electrodes to an electronic I/O device.

6. The plug of claim 5, wherein the plug is further configured to pass one or more driving signals from the electronic I/O device through the one or more electrodes to a sensor network comprising at least a first transducer and a second transducer, defining a pair of transducers, wherein the sensor network is located in the closed structure.

7. The plug of claim 6, wherein the plug is configured to pass one or more electrical signals from the first transducer through the one or more electrodes to the electronic I/O device.

8. The plug of claim 7, wherein the one or more electrical signals are generated by the first transducer in response to the second transducer receiving the one or more driving signals passed from the electronic I/O device.

9. The plug of claim 7, wherein the signal generated by the first transducer indicates a corrosion level of a test piece located between the pair of transducers.

10. A corrosion sensor network configured to test a level of corrosion of a test piece, comprising:

at least one pair of sensing/acting transducers positioned with the test piece in between, wherein the test piece is included or located within a closed structure; and

interconnects connecting the at least one pair of sensing/acting transducers with one or more electrodes disposed within an interior space of the closed structure, wherein the one or more electrodes are accessible via a hole in the closed structure, wherein the hole in the closed structure is configured to retain a fastener, and wherein the hole in the closed structure is configured to mate with the plug and form an electrical connection between the plug and the one or more electrodes when the fastener is not in the hole.

11. The corrosion sensor network of claim 10, wherein the interconnects are formed using additive manufacturing.

12. The corrosion sensor network of claim 10, wherein the sensing/acting transducers include an electrode formed using additive manufacturing.

13. The corrosion sensor network of claim 10, wherein the corrosion sensor network is disposed within the closed structure.

14. The corrosion sensor network of claim 10, wherein the closed structure comprises at least one fastener inserted through the hole in order to apply a joining force between two surfaces that form the closed structure, and wherein the corrosion sensor network further comprises an electrical I/O interface disposed adjacent to the hole in the closed structure such that the electrical connection plug is configured to electrically couple the electrical I/O interface to the one or more electrodes in the hole when the fastener is removed from the hole.

15. The corrosion sensor network of claim 10, wherein the electrical I/O interface is configured to mate with the electrical connection plug.

16. The corrosion sensor network of claim 10, wherein the electrical I/O interface is configured to mate with a fastener.

17. A system comprising:

a socket in a closed structure, wherein the socket comprises one or more electrodes that are electrically coupleable to a first electronic device located within the closed structure; and

a plug that is electrically coupleable to an electronic I/O electronic device,

wherein the socket is configured to be mated with a fastener such that the socket is covered and unable to receive the plug when the socket is mated with the fastener,

wherein the socket is further configured to mate with the plug, wherein the socket and the plug are sized and configured to electrically couple the one or more electrodes to the plug when the socket and the plug are mated and the fastener is not in the socket, and

wherein the socket is coupleable to a fastening system which includes the fastener, wherein the fastening system is configured to join two surfaces of the closed structure when the socket is mated with the fastener.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first electronic device comprises a sensor network.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the sensor network comprises a temperature sensor.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the first electronic device comprises an excitation device configured to generate one or more of the following signals:

electrical, mechanical, thermal, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, acoustical, or ultrasonic.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the first electronic device comprises a receiving device configured to detect one or more of the following signals:

electrical, mechanical, thermal, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, acoustical, or ultrasonic.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the first electronic device comprises an excitation device configured to generate one or more of the following signals:

electrical, mechanical, thermal, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, acoustical, or ultrasonic.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the electronic I/O device is a signal analyzer.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the plug is configured to be anchored when mated with the socket.

25. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a fastener comprising a resilient material on an end, wherein the resilient material is configured to deform and seal the socket when the fastener is mated with the socket.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the resilient material comprises an inner end and an outer end, wherein the inner end comprises a resilient material configured to contact and deform around the one or more electrodes when the fastener is mated with the socket.