# US 2013/0153136 A1 · Seal with energy-absorbing filler and method of manufacture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153136 A1 - Document ID: US20130153136A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/325,190 - Filed: 2011-12-14 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-14 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Arthur C. Day; James P. Irwin; Eddie Kwon; Carl R. McIver; Kevin McCrary - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153136A1 ## CPC - H01R 43/20: for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve - B64D 45/02: Lightning protectors; Static dischargers - F16J 15/064: {the packing combining the sealing function with other functions} - F16J 15/14: by means of granular or plastic material, or fluid - F16L 25/03: in non-disconnectable pipe joints - F16L 47/22: using shrink-down material - H01R 13/5216: {characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins} - Y10T 29/49227: Insulator making - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - F16J: PISTONS {(specially adapted for dampers F16F9/32)}; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A seal for attenuating energy from an electrical discharge across an interface may include a cover defining an inner volume containing a filled sealant including a semi-rigid sealant mixed with a filler having a multiplicity of discrete particles of different composition than the semi-rigid sealant such that the filled sealant is adjacent the interface when the cover is placed over said interface. A method for sealing an interface may include forming a cover defining an inner volume shaped to enclose the interface, forming a filled sealant including a semi-rigid sealant mixed with a filler having a multiplicity of discrete particles of different composition than said semi-rigid sealant, placing the filled sealant within said inner volume and placing the cover containing the filled sealant over the interface such that the filled sealant is adjacent the interface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seal for attenuating energy from an electrical discharge across an interface comprising: a cover defining an inner volume shaped to enclose said interface; and a filled sealant including a semi-rigid sealant mixed with a filler having a multiplicity of discrete particles of different composition than said semi-rigid sealant, said filled sealant being contained within said inner volume such that said filled sealant is adjacent said interface when said cover is placed over said interface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1 wherein said particles have a crush strength less than that of an adhesive strength of said seal with said interface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The seal of claim 2 wherein said particles include at least one of microspheres, glass beads, hollow glass beads, cenospheres, ceramic microballoons, polymer microballoons and solid plastic spheres. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The seal of claim 3 wherein said hollow glass beads have at least one of a crush strength of less than about 3000 psi and a diameter of between about 45 to about 300 microns. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The seal of claim 3 wherein said hollow glass beads make up between about 10 percent to about 40 percent by weight of said filled sealant. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1 wherein said sealant is a polysulfide. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1 wherein said cover is made of one of said semi-rigid sealant and said filled sealant. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1 wherein said cover is one of a capseal and a wrap. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The seal of claim 1 wherein said filled sealant is in the form of a ring about said interface, positioned to connect said cover to said interface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The seal of claim 8 wherein said inner volume is filled with said sealant without said particles. ### Claim 11 A method for sealing an interface to attenuate high energy currents and voltages traveling thereacross comprising: forming a cover defining an inner volume shaped to enclose said interface; forming a filled sealant including a semi-rigid sealant mixed with a filler having a multiplicity of discrete particles of different composition than said semi-rigid sealant; placing said filled sealant within said inner volume; and placing said cover containing said filled sealant over said interface such that said filled sealant is adjacent said interface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein said cover forming step includes forming said cover of one of said semi-rigid sealant and said filled sealant. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein said cover forming step includes the step of forming a capseal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein said filled sealant forming step includes the step of selecting particles having a crush strength less than that of said semi-rigid sealant. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein said particle selecting step includes selecting at least one of microspheres, hollow glass beads, cenospheres, ceramic microballoons, polymer microballoons and solid plastic spheres. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein said selecting step includes the step of selecting particles having a crush strength of less than approximately 3000 psi. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein said step of selecting particles having a crush strength of less than about 3000 psi includes mixing said particles to make up between about 10 percent and about 40 percent by weight of said filled sealant. ### Claim 18 A method for sealing an interface to attenuate high energy currents and voltages traveling thereacross comprising: forming a cover defining an inner volume shaped to enclose said interface; forming a filled sealant including a semi-rigid sealant mixed with a filler having a multiplicity of discrete particles of different composition than said semi-rigid sealant; placing said filled sealant over said interface; and placing said cover over said filled sealant. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein said cover forming step includes the step of forming one of a capseal and a wrap. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein said filled sealant forming step includes the step of selecting particles having a crush strength less than that of said semi-rigid sealant. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 wherein said particle selecting step includes selecting at least one of microspheres, hollow glass beads, cenospheres, ceramic balloons, polymer microballoons and solid plastic spheres. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21 wherein said particle selecting step includes the step of selecting particles having a crush strength less than about 3000 psi. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22 wherein said step of selecting particles having a crush strength of less than about 3000 psi includes mixing said particles with said semi-rigid sealant to make up between about 10 percent and about 40 percent by weight of said filled sealant. ### Claim 24 A seal for attenuating energy from an electrical discharge across an interface between a fastener and an aircraft fuel tank panel comprising: a capseal defining an inner volume shaped to enclose a protruding portion of said fastener and said interface; and a filled sealant including a semi-rigid sealant mixed with a filler having a multiplicity of discrete particles of different composition than said semi-rigid sealant, said filled sealant being contained within said inner volume of said capseal such that said filled sealant substantially covers said interface and a protruding portion of said fastener when said cover is placed over said fastener and said interface, such that said filled sealant attaches said cover to said fastener and said aircraft fuel tank panel.