Blind fasteners with EME protection and sealing
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsBlake Simpson, Sean Dennis Morden
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and blind fasteners with EME protection are provided. A blind fastener comprises a shank having a bulb forming portion; a head; and an electromagnetic effects (EME) protection sealant positioned on at least one of the bulb forming portion of the shank or under the head.
Claims25
A blind fastener that comprises:
- a sleeve that comprises a bulb forming portion and a head;
- and
- an electromagnetic effects (EME) protection sealant positioned on at least one of the bulb forming portion of the sleeve or under the head.
A method of providing electromagnetic effects protection to a composite structure, the method comprising:
- applying an electromagnetic effects (EME) protection sealant on at least one of a bulb forming portion of a sleeve or under a head of a blind fastener;
- and
- installing the blind fastener with the electromagnetic effects (EME) protection sealant into the composite structure such that the electromagnetic effects (EME) protection sealant is between the blind fastener and the composite structure.
A composite structure that comprises:
- a first composite component;
- a second composite component;
- a blind fastener installed through a hole in the first composite component and the second composite component;
- and
- an electromagnetic effects (EME) protection sealant positioned at least one of between a bulb of the blind fastener and the second composite component or between a head of the blind fastener and the first composite component.
A method of forming a liquid-tight seal during blind fastener installation comprising:
- inserting a blind fastener with electromagnetic effects (EME) protection sealant on at least one of a bulb forming portion of a sleeve or under a head of the blind fastener through a hole of a composite structure;
- and
- installing the blind fastener such that the electromagnetic effects (EME) protection sealant is secured between the blind fastener and the composite structure to seal at least one side of the hole of the composite structure.
A method of forming an alloy seal during blind fastener installation comprising:
- locating a malleable alloy between a number of portions of a blind fastener and a composite structure;
- and
- friction forming the malleable alloy into a seal placed on at least one of a bulb forming portion of a sleeve or under a head of the blind fastener during blind fastener installation wherein friction forming the malleable alloy into a seal comprises forming an electromagnetic effects (EME) protection seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.