Floating, bottom-filled and twist insert and methods for use thereof
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsChristopher B. Barney, Lyle J. True, Lee James Keetle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An insert, a floating nut and methods for use thereof in a panel of an aircraft are presented. Specifically, an insert includes a housing defining a cavity. An aperture is further defined in a first end of the housing and a semi-spherical portion is defined at a second end of the housing. A pair of vent openings are also defined on opposing sides of the first end of the housing.
Claims20
A method for using an insert that comprises (a) a housing defining a cavity, (b) an aperture defined in a first end of the housing to the cavity, (c) a semi-spherical portion defined at a second end of the housing, (d) a pair of vent openings defined on opposing sides of the first end of the housing and (e) a pair of receptacles coupled to the first end of the housing, wherein each of the pair of receptacles have sidewalls defining a through-hole and aligned with one of the pair of vent openings, the method comprising:
- installing the insert in a cavity of a panel for an aircraft and advancing the insert until the pair of receptacles rests against an exterior of a skin of the panel;
- injecting an adhesive into one of the pair of vent openings;
- and
- flowing the adhesive around the housing until the adhesive exits the cavity via the other one of the pair of vent openings.
A method for using an insert that comprises (a) a housing defining a cavity, (b) a first aperture defined in a first end of the housing to the cavity, (c) a semi-spherical portion defined at a second end of the housing, (d) a pair of vent openings defined on opposing sides of the first end of the housing and (e) a second aperture defined in a second end of the housing and aligned with a central axis of the semi-spherical portion, the method comprising:
- installing the insert in a cavity of a panel for an aircraft;
- placing a tip of an adhesive gun through the first aperture and the cavity of the housing to the second aperture of the housing;
- injecting an adhesive underneath the semi-spherical portion of the insert;
- and
- flowing the adhesive around the housing until the adhesive exits the cavity of the panel via the pair of vent openings.
A method for using an insert that comprises (a) a housing defining a cavity, (b) an aperture defined in a first end of the housing to the cavity, (c) a semi-spherical portion defined at a second end of the housing, (d) a pair of vent openings defined on opposing sides of the first end of the housing and (e) a pair of helical grooves defined on an exterior of the semi-spherical portion of the housing, the method comprising:
- injecting an adhesive into a cavity of a panel of an aircraft;
- installing the insert in the cavity of the panel;
- and
- flowing the adhesive around the housing and along the pair of helical grooves until the adhesive exits the cavity of the panel via the pair of vent openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.