Apparatuses and methods for seal cap installation

• US 9,808,965 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2014
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Burgess, Robert Marshall, Chaney, Matthew G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Daniels, Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shafi, Leith S
• Application Number:
  US14/457,858
• Publication Number:
  US 20160046046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 264268, 264262, 2642711, 264263, 264DIG 54, 277650, 277316, 277637, 277652, 277645, 277917, 277944, 249117, 249134, 248565, 248576-579, 248586-587, 248590, 248594, 248597, 248623-626, 16 44, 16 72, 411 12
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 39/026 characterised by the shape of the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/26 Sealing devices, e.g. packaging for pistons or pipe joints
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/02 Lightning protectors; Static dischargers in general H01T
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 33/004 Sealing; Insulation by means of washers F16B43/001
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 37/14 Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps

Abstract

One example of the present disclosure relates to a form for supporting a volume of a viscous substance encapsulating at least a portion of an object while the viscous substance solidifies to form a seal. The form comprises a non-metallic solidified material; a distal axial opening; a proximal axial opening; and a lateral wall between the distal axial opening and the proximal axial opening. The lateral wall comprises an outwardly facing surface having a surface area, and at least one through lateral opening.

Claims

1. A form for supporting a volume of a viscous substance encapsulating at least a portion of an object while the viscous substance solidifies to form a seal, the form comprising:

a distal axial opening that is circumferentially closed;

a proximal axial opening that is circumferentially closed; and

a lateral wall, extending between the distal axial opening and the proximal axial opening,

wherein the lateral wall comprises;

a non-metallic solidified material;

an outwardly facing surface, having a surface area; and

a through lateral opening, that is spiral-shaped.

2. The form of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the lateral wall is tapered outwardly from the distal axial opening to the proximal axial opening.

3. The form of claim 2, wherein the at least a portion of the lateral wall comprises a variable taper.

4. The form of claim 1, wherein:

the through lateral opening has an opening area;

the outwardly facing surface of the lateral wall has a surface area; and

a ratio of the opening area to the surface area is between about 0.2 and about 0.6.

5. The form of claim 1, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified matetial of the form are chemically different.

6. The form of claim 1, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are substantially chemically identical.

7. The form of claim 2, wherein:

the through lateral opening has an opening area;

the outwardly facing surface of the lateral wall has a surface area; and

a ratio of the opening area to the surface area is between about 0.2 and about 0.6.

8. The form of claim 2, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are chemically different.

9. The form of claim 2, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are substantially chemically identical.

10. The form of claim 3, wherein:

the through lateral opening has an opening area;

the outwardly facing surface of the lateral wall has a surface area; and

a ratio of the opening area to the surface area is between about 0.2 and about 0.6.

11. The form of claim 3, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are substantially chemically identical.

12. The form-of claim 3, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are chemically different.

13. The form of claim 4, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are substantially chemically identical.

14. The form of claim 4, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are chemically different.

15. The form of claim 7, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are substantially chemically identical.

16. The form of claim 7, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are chemically different.

17. The form of claim 10, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material form are substantially chemically identical.

18. The form of claim 10, wherein the seal and the non-metallic solidified material of the form are chemically different.