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US 9,789,971 B2Granted
Pre-cured EME edge seal
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJesse Randal Wiseman, Kevin Darrell Pate, Matthew G. Chaney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aircraft fuel cell seal and methods of its use. The disclosed seal takes the form of a pre-cured, partially hollow elongate member that does not subtend a complete circle, but rather leaves an elongate gap in the member that can be placed over an edge or fillet of a fuel cell. In some cases, chambers within the member may be filled with wet sealant to provide redundant protection against EME effects.
Claims20
An aircraft fuel cell seal, comprising:
- a pre-cured elongate member with a curved outer shell having a radial thickness at least equal to a predefined minimum radial thickness, the curved outer shell extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the elongate member in an angularly incomplete manner such that is subtends an angle of at least 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees to define an elongated gap in the outer shell, the gap for receiving an edge or a fillet of an aircraft fuel cell;
- a plurality of partially cylindrical open chambers disposed within the outer shell, each having a radius at least equal to a predefined minimum radius;
- and
- a plurality of support members disposed within the outer shell and separating the open chambers.
1 more element
An aircraft fuel cell seal, comprising:
- a pre-cured elongate sealing member with an outer shell having a thickness at least equal to a predefined minimum thickness, the curved outer shell extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the elongate member in an angularly incomplete manner such that is subtends an angle of at least 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees to define an elongated gap in the outer shell, the gap for receiving an edge or a fillet of an aircraft fuel cell;
- a plurality of support ribs disposed within the outer shell and oriented perpendicular to the shell;
- and
- a plurality of open chambers each bounded by the outer shell and two of the support ribs, and each having an open side defined by the gap in the outer shell.
1 more element
A method of sealing a fuel cell edge in an aircraft fuel cell, comprising:
- providing an aircraft fuel cell seal, including:
- a pre-cured elongate member with a curved outer shell having a thickness at least equal to a predefined minimum thickness, the curved outer shell extending circumferentially about a longitudinal axis of the elongate member in an angularly incomplete manner such that is subtends an angle of at least 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees to define an elongated gap in the outer shell, the gap for receiving an edge or a fillet of an aircraft fuel cell;
- a plurality of open chambers disposed within the outer shell, each defining a volume having a thickness at least equal to the predefined minimum thickness;
- and
- a plurality of support members disposed within the outer shell and separating the open chambers;
- filling the open chambers with a wet sealant;
- and
- positioning the fuel cell seal around a fuel cell edge.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.