Sealing system for fasteners

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9939006-B2
Application number	US-201514882645-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 14, 2015
Priority date	Oct 14, 2015
Publication date	Apr 10, 2018
Grant date	Apr 10, 2018

Abstract

A method and apparatus for sealing a fastener that extends through a surface. The apparatus comprises a housing having a base and cap, wherein the cap is configured to cover a portion of a fastener extending through a surface, and wherein the housing is configured to apply suction to the surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a housing having a base and a cap, wherein the cap covers a portion of a fastener extending through a surface, wherein the housing applies suction to the surface; and
a number of self-locking flanges that extend inwardly in a generally radial direction from the housing into an interior of the housing in a first portion and then curve upward into a second portion that comprises a free end extending away from the first portion and from a curve where the first portion and the second portion meet, wherein the number of self-locking flanges engage a non-threaded portion of the fastener at the curve, wherein the number of self-locking flanges are integral to the housing and no part of the housing contacts the fastener other than the number of self-locking flanges.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing is formed of a thermoplastic elastomeric material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing covers an end of the fastener extending from the surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a space between the housing and the surface has a lower air pressure than an air pressure outside of the housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the housing is formed of a polymeric material selected to protect the fastener from energy caused by an electromagnetic event.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the number of self-locking flanges hold the housing in place relative to the fastener.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the number of self-locking flanges center the housing relative to the fastener.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
an adhesive between the base of the housing and the surface.

9. A method of sealing a fastener that extends through a surface, the method comprising:
pressing a housing over an end of the fastener such that a portion of the housing conforms to a portion of the fastener, the housing including a base and a cap;
holding the housing over the fastener with suction applied by the housing to the surface; and
wherein a number of self-locking flanges extend inwardly in a generally radial direction from the housing into an interior of the housing in a first portion and then curve upward into a second portion that comprises a free end extending away from the first portion and from a curve where the first portion and the second portion meet;
wherein pressing the housing over the end of the fastener comprises applying the housing such that the number of self-locking flanges engage a non-threaded portion of the fastener at the curve; and
wherein the number of self-locking flanges are integral to the housing and no part of the housing contacts the fastener other than the number of self-locking flanges.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
applying an adhesive to the base of the housing.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the suction holds the housing relative to the fastener while the adhesive between the housing and the surface cures.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the number of self-locking flanges engaging the fastener holds the housing relative to the fastener while an adhesive between the housing and the surface cures.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
heating the base such that a thermoplastic elastomeric material of the base bonds to the surface.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Song Weidong
• Perron Daniel Joseph

Classifications

• B64D45/02

  Lightning protectors; Static dischargers · CPC title

• F16B33/004

  Sealing; Insulation (by means of washers F16B43/001) · CPC title

• F16B47/00

  Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives {(devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02)} · CPC title

• F16B47/003

  using adhesives for attaching purposes (using adhesives for connecting constructional elements F16B11/006) · CPC title

• F16B37/14 Primary

  Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps · CPC title