Method and applicator for applying sealant to fasteners

A liquid sealant application system, comprising:

• a pressurizable source of liquid sealant;
• and
• a liquid sealant applicator;
• wherein the liquid sealant applicator includes
• a proximal coupling that is configured to reversibly connect to the pressurizable source of liquid sealant;
• a sidewall extending from the proximal coupling;
• a distal fastener socket connected to the sidewall and configured to be placed over a head of a preselected fastener;
• a sealant flow path from the proximal coupling to the distal fastener socket;
• a flow restrictor disposed in the sealant flow path, the flow restrictor having a plurality of apertures disposed in an annular pattern that is centered in the sealant flow path;
• a porous matrix that fills at least a segment of the sealant flow path downstream of the flow restrictor;
• and
• a matrix retainer configured to retain the porous matrix within the sealant flow path, where the matrix retainer is a locking washer that includes a plurality of inwardly-directed teeth, and the porous matrix is secured within the locking washer by the inwardly-directed teeth;
• wherein
• the proximal coupling and distal fastener socket are connected to each other by a threaded connection that permits the distal fastener socket to be disconnected;
• the flow restrictor and matrix retainer are secured between the proximal coupling and the distal fastener socket by the threaded connection;
• and
• the liquid sealant application system is configured to provide a uniform application of the sealant from the source of the liquid sealant to the head of the fastener enclosed by the distal fastener socket.