METAL MESH WITH A LOW ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE CONVERSION COATING FOR USE WITH AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES

• US 20160298765A1
• Filed: 04/08/2016
• Published: 10/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Patent Well, LLC
• Original Assignee: Aviation Devices and Electronic Components LLC
• Inventors: BOOMER, MATT, BUSBY, JEFF, BOOMER, KENT, SAMUELSON, EMILY
• Granted Patent: US 10,837,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 37/005 Accessories not provided for in the groups B64D37/02 - B64D37/28
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/00 Equipment not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/022 characterised by structure or material
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/122 generally parallel to the surfaces

Abstract

A gasket is provided with a tacky polyurethane or polyurea gel body and a metallic mesh skeleton where the skeleton has been coated with a conversion coating. The conversion coating helps reduce corrosion in the gasket and corrosion on the parts that place the gasket under compression, especially where an environment conducive to galvanic corrosion is present. This gasket may then be used in assemblies which include aircraft parts, which parts may be subject to extreme environmental conditions.

Claims

1. A gasket for use between aircraft parts under compression, the gasket comprising:

a body comprising an elastomeric polymer; and

a metal skeleton encapsulated by the body of the gasket;

wherein the metal skeleton includes a conversion coating.

2. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the body is a tacky polyurethane gel and wherein the metal skeleton is an aluminum or aluminum alloy mesh and wherein the resistance of the coated aluminum or aluminum alloy mesh is less than about 2.5 milliohms.

3. The gasket of claim 1, wherein conversion coating is coated between about 100-250 mg/dm².

4. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric polymer is a polyurethane gel.

5. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the body includes conductive particles or fibers.

6. The gasket of claim 1, including a second skeleton.

7. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the second skeleton is a metallic mesh.

8. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of a polyurea polymer.

9. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of a tacky, deformable, flowable gel.

10. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the metal skeleton has a perimeter and wherein, when under compression, the body extends beyond the perimeter of the skeleton.

11. The gasket of claim 10, wherein the perimeter includes a cure in place injectable polymer.

12. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the resistance of the skeleton is less than about 2.5 m·

Ω

13. The gasket of claim 1, wherein conversion layer comprises a chromium.

14. The gasket of claim 13, wherein the chromium is part of a chromate.

15. The gasket of claim 14, wherein the chromate includes trivalent chromium.

16. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the conversion coating includes a hexafluorozirconate.

17. The gasket of claim 1, wherein the gel includes corrosion inhibitors.

18. A method of producing a corrosion resistance assembly of aircraft parts comprising:

contacting an exterior of a skeleton with a composition comprising a reactive composition to obtain a conversion coating on a top surface coat on the skeleton surface and assembling the skeleton comprising said top surface coat into an aircraft gasket having an elastomeric body and placing the gasket under compression between two parts of an aircraft.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the skeleton is die cut before contacting.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein before the placing step and after the contacting step, the skeleton is die cut into a preselected shape.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the reactive composition contains trivalent chromium.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the reactive composition contains hexavalent chromium.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the reactive composition contains chromium, either a trivalent or hexavalent chromium, and elastomeric body is a tacky gel body including a polyurethane or polyurea two component sealant.

24. An assembly of aircraft parts comprising:

a first aluminum or aluminum alloy part having a first surface;

a second aluminum or aluminum alloy part having a second surface;

a multiplicity of fasteners for engaging the two aluminum or aluminum alloy parts;

a gasket comprising a body comprising an elastomeric polymer; and

a metal skeleton encapsulated by the body of the gasket;

wherein the metal skeleton includes a conversion coating.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the two parts comprise an aircraft antenna and an aircraft skin.

26. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the two parts comprise an aircraft fuel door surround and an aircraft fuel door.