In-situ injection molded fastener cap seal enabling high production rate and better quality
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorWeidong Song
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for sealing a fastener employs a mold which provided with an inlet port for molding material. The mold is then positioned over a fastener and the mold is sealed against a structure. A moisture cured polyurethane reactive adhesive (MCRPA) as a molding material is then heated and injected into the mold. Upon solidification of the MCRPA, the mold is then removed to expose the MCRPA to atmospheric moisture and cured to leave an in-situ molded cap formed over the fastener and sealed to the structure.
Claims20
A method for sealing a fastener comprising the steps of:
- providing a mold having an inlet port for molding material;
- positioning the mold over a fastener;
- sealing the mold against a structure;
- heating a moisture cured polyurethane reactive adhesive (MCRPA) to above melting temperature;
- injecting the MCRPA as the molding material into the mold;
- solidifying the MCRPA;
- and,
- removing the mold exposing the MCRPA to atmospheric moisture;
- moisture curing the MCRPA to leave an in-situ formed molded cap over the fastener and adhered to the structure.
A system for in-situ injection molding of a fastener cap comprising:
- a mold having
- a cavity sized to be received over a fastener in a structure;
- an inlet port communication with the cavity to receive a molding material,
- a circumferential sealing surface sized to provide a sealing circumference on a surface of the structure surrounding the fastener;
- and,
- an injection system adapted to heat a moisture cured polyurethane reactive adhesive (MCRPA) to above melting temperature and provide the MCRPA as a molding material through the inlet port.
A sealing cap for a fastener in a structure comprising:
- a moisture cured polyurethane reactive adhesive (MCRPA) formed in-situ in a mold having
- a cavity sized to be received over a fastener in a structure;
- an inlet port communication with the cavity to receive a molding material and,
- a circumferential sealing surface sized to provide a sealing circumference on a surface of the structure surrounding the fastener;
- said MCRPA adhered to the surface and the fastener and sealed to the surface in the sealing circumference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.