Method of applying a sulphur-containing sealing compound, apparatus therefor, correspondingly treated aerospace vehicle and use thereof

A method for sealing, coating and aerodynamic smoothing of at least one application site with a sulfur-containing sealant cure on demand (SCOD) sealing compound, using at least one automatable or automatic apparatus comprising at least one unit, wherein the at least one automatable or automatic apparatus comprises at least one nozzle element and at least one irradiation unit, and wherein the method is characterized in that

• i) the at least one nozzle element comprises an inner space that is indirectly or directly connected to a sealing compound reservoir, and contains a mixed, uncured or at least partially uncured SCOD sealing compound, which is guided or/and slipped over the at least one application site, and is brought into contact with a surface or near a surface of the at least one application site,
• ii) the inner space of the at least one nozzle element is filled with the SCOD sealing compound from a sealing compound reservoir, and is brought at least approximately in contact with the surface of the at least one application site to an extent that the at least one application site is completely covered by the SCOD sealing compound, wherein the SCOD sealing compound forms a sealing compound coating, which essentially has the shape of a sealing compound cap, or/and of a mound-shaped or bead-shaped elevation,
• iii) the at least one nozzle element or at least a part of the at least one nozzle element, is raised and moved, in a rotating movement, to smooth the sealing compound coating, and
• iv) the SCOD sealing compound is subjected to a curing step that is 1) initiated by at least one irradiation unit through energy input into a sealing compound coating, and either 2a) initiated by release of a latent catalyst or 2b) obtained by direct activation of at least one reaction component, so that the mixed SCOD sealing compound subsequently cures;
• and
• v) the at least one nozzle element is replaced by using at least one oblong nozzle element which is divided in median part, lengthwise, wherein one or more nozzle parts of the at least one oblong nozzle element may be connected or separated by insertion, rotation, bayonet lock, snapping or fast clamps, in which a nozzle part is not replaced at each nozzle replacement step, and in which a nozzle part selected from the group consisting of a nozzle extension or a nozzle cap, for forming the sealing compound coating or the sealing compound cap, is replaced;
• wherein the at least one nozzle element is taken from a magazine or holder or the at least one nozzle element is repositioned in the magazine or holder;
• and wherein the apparatus further comprises an apparatus for cleaning the nozzle element or a part thereof in a way that removed residues of sealing compound and residues of dirt are prevented from being blown or directed to the sealing compound coatings.