Abstract
A fluid applicator for applying a fluid to a surface protrusion. In one embodiment, an anticorrosion substance is applied to a structural fastener.
Claims
1. In a fluid applicator for applying a fluid to a surface protrusion, said applicator comprising a hollow body having an elongated axis with opposing ends and an opening at each of the opposing ends, the improvement wherein a porous material is positioned inside the hollow body along the elongated axis, the porous material containing an aperture at one end and opening of the hollow body, said porous material aperture having a predetermined depth and diameter so as to match the height and the geometric shape of the surface protrusion and cover the surface protrusion such that fluid flowing from the porous material is uniformly applied to the protrusion.
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the porous material comprises two or more abutting sections.
3. The invention of claim 2 wherein each section is made of the same porous material.
4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the protrusion is a structural fastener.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a corrosion resistant conversion composition.
6. In a fluid applicator for applying a fluid to a surface protrusion, said applicator comprising a hollow body having an elongated axis with opposing ends and an opening at each opposing end, a porous material positioned inside the hollow body along the elongated axis, said porous material comprising two separate sections, one section of the porous material containing an aperture at one opening of the hollow body, said aperture having a predetermined depth and geometric shape to allow the porous material to cover a surface protrusion such that fluid flowing from the porous material is uniformly applied to the protrusion.
7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the protrusion is a structural fastener.
8. The invention of claim 6 wherein the fluid is a corrosion resistant conversion composition.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the fluid applicator method.
(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a substrate with structural fasteners.
(3) FIG. 2A is a side view of a substrate with structural fasteners.
(4) FIG. 2B is a bottom view of a substrate with structural fasteners.
(5) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a fluid applicator.
(6) FIG. 3A is an alternate exploded view of a fluid applicator.
(7) FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a fluid applicator.
(8) FIG. 3C is a side view of a fluid applicator.
(9) FIG. 3D is a section 3D-3D view of a fluid applicator.
(10) FIG. 3E is an end view of a fluid applicator.
(11) FIG. 3F is an end view of a fluid applicator.
(12) FIG. 3G is a Detail 3G view of a fluid applicator.
(13) FIG. 3H is a side view of an elongated pin and baffle.
(14) FIG. 3I is a perspective view of an elongated pin and baffle.
(15) FIG. 3J is a proximal view of the baffle.
(16) FIG. 3K is a distal end view of the baffle and the elongated pin.
(17) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a fluid applicator.
(18) FIG. 4A is an alternate exploded view of a fluid applicator.
(19) FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a fluid applicator.
(20) FIG. 4C is a side view of a fluid applicator.
(21) FIG. 4D is a section 4D-4D view of a fluid applicator.
(22) FIG. 4E is an end view of a fluid applicator.
(23) FIG. 4F is an end view of a fluid applicator.
(24) FIG. 4G is a Detail 4G view of a fluid applicator.
(25) FIG. 4H is a side view of an elongated pin and baffle.
(26) FIG. 4I is a perspective view of an elongated pin and baffle.
(27) FIG. 4J is a proximal view of the baffle.
(28) FIG. 4K is a distal end view of the elongated pin and baffle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(29) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall method for applying a fluid such as an anticorrosion substance to an object such as a structural fastener. An anticorrosion substance is placed into the reservoir 100. The substance is pumped to the dispensing device 102 by a peristaltic pump 101 with pump controls 101a. The fluid applicator 103 is mounted on or in the dispensing device 102. The controls 101a and pump 101 controllably meter and flow the substance to the dispensing device 102 and fluid applicator 103. The fluid applicator 103 applies the anticorrosion substance uniformly to the fastener 104.
(30) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a substrate 205 with structural fasteners 206.
(31) FIG. 2A is a side view of a substrate 205 with structural fasteners 206 that extend through structural fasteners 206a and the substrate 205.
(32) FIG. 2B is a bottom view of a substrate 205 with structural fasteners 206a. Structural fasteners 206a can be solid or hollow
(33) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a fluid applicator 300 comprising a hollow base 308, neck 308b, first porous material insert 309, and second porous material insert 310. The first porous material insert 309 has an aperture or opening 309a which may extend partly or completely through the length of the first porous material insert 309. The second porous material insert 310 has an aperture or opening 310a which may extend partly or completely through the length of the second porous material insert 310. An elongated pin 308c is located within the void of the of the hollow base 308 A baffle 308-1 (not shown) with notches or openings is at the proximal end of 308c. This is shown in other views below.
(34) The neck 308b connected to the hollow base 308 is constructed out of the same or different material as the hollow base 308. The neck 308b is integral with the base 308. The fluid applicator 300 is connected to a source of fluid (not shown) for the flow of the fluid to the hollow base 308 from the source. The elongated pin 308c may be the same or a different material as the hollow base 308 and the neck 308b.
(35) FIG. 3A is an exploded view of a fluid applicator 300 comprising a hollow base 308, neck 308b, a single porous material insert 311, and an aperture or opening 311a that extends partially through the length of the second porous material insert 311. An elongated pin 308c is located within the void of the of the hollow base 308.
(36) FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a fluid applicator 300 comprising a base 308, neck 308b, first porous material insert 309 (not shown in the view), and second porous material insert 310. The second porous material insert 310 has an aperture or opening 310a which extends through the entire length of the second porous material insert 310, and an elongated pin 308c located within the void of the of the hollow base 308. The proximal end of the pin is in contact with the first porous material 309 (not shown). The distal end of the pin 308c extends through the void in the first porous material 309 (not shown) into the void of the second porous material 310a.
(37) FIG. 3C is a side view of a fluid applicator 300 comprising a base 308 at the distal end, neck 308b at the proximal end, first porous material insert 309 (not shown), and second porous material insert 310 (not shown).
(38) FIG. 3D is a section 3D-3D view of a fluid applicator 300 comprising a base 308, neck 308b, first porous material insert 309, and second porous material insert 310. The second porous material insert 310 has an aperture or opening 310a which extends through the entire length of the second porous material insert 310, and an elongated pin 308c is located within the void of the of the hollow base 308. The proximal end of the pin 308c is in contact with the first porous material 309. The distal end of the pin 308c extends through the void in the first porous material (see Detail 3G) into the void of the second porous material 310a.
(39) FIG. 3E is a proximal end view of a fluid applicator 300 comprising a base 308, neck 308b, first porous material insert 309, and baffle 308-1
(40) FIG. 3F is a distal end view of a fluid applicator comprising a base 308, first porous material insert 309, second porous material insert 310, and an elongated pin 308c.
(41) FIG. 3G is a Detail 3G view of a fluid applicator neck 308b, first porous material insert 309, a void in the first porous material 309a, second porous material 310, and an elongated pin 308c.
(42) FIG. 3H is a side view of an elongated pin 308c with baffle 308-1. The proximal end is the baffle 308-1. The baffle 308-1 is a flange with notches or openings to allow a fluid to pass through the first porous material 309 (not shown) and through aperture 309a (not shown) so as to direct the flow of the fluid along the surface of the pin 308c.
(43) FIG. 3I is a perspective view of an elongated pin 308c and baffle 308-1. The proximal end has a baffle 308-1 comprising a flange with notches to allow a fluid to pass through the first porous material 309 (not shown). The baffle holds the first porous material 309 (not shown) in place while directing the flow of the fluid.
(44) FIG. 3J is a proximal end view of FIG. 3H showing the baffle 308-1.
(45) FIG. 3K is a distal end view of an elongated pin 308c showing the baffle 308-1.
(46) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a fluid applicator 400 comprising a hollow base 408, neck 408b, first porous material insert 409, and second porous material insert 410. The first porous material insert 409 has an aperture or opening 409a which may extend partly or completely through the length of the first porous material insert 409. The second porous material insert 410 has an aperture or opening 410a which may extend partly or completely through the length of the second porous material insert 410. An elongated pin or pin 408c is located within the void of the of the hollow base 408 and has a third porous material 408d on the distal end of the pin.
(47) The neck 408b connected to the hollow base 408 is constructed out of the same or different material as the hollow base 408. The neck 408b is integral with the base 408. The fluid applicator 400 is connected to a source of fluid (not shown) and contains a passage (not shown) for the flow of fluid to the hollow base 408 from the source. The an elongated pin 408c may be the same or different material as the hollow base 408 and the neck 408b. A second porous material 408d is located on the distal end of the pin 408c.
(48) FIG. 4A is an exploded view of a fluid applicator 400 comprising a hollow base 408, neck 408b, a single porous material insert 411, and an aperture or opening 411a that extends partially through the length of the second porous material insert 411. An elongated pin 408c is located within the void of the hollow base 408 with a second porous material 408d on the distal end of the pin 408c. In this embodiment, the porous material 409 and 410 have been combined into a single porous material 411.
(49) FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a fluid applicator 400 comprising a base 408, neck 408b, first porous material insert 409 (not shown), and second porous material insert 410. The second porous material insert 410 has an aperture or opening 410a which extends through the entire length of the second porous material insert 410, and an elongated pin or pin 408c located within the void of the hollow base 408. The proximal end of the pin is in contact with the first porous material 409 (not shown). The distal end of the pin 408c extends through the void in the first porous material 409 (not shown) into the void of the second porous material 410a exposing the distal end of the pin 408c with a third porous material 408d on the distal end of the pin.
(50) FIG. 4C is a side view of a fluid applicator 400 comprising a base 408 at the distal end, neck 408b at the proximal end, first porous material insert 409 (not shown), and second porous material insert 410 (not shown).
(51) FIG. 4D is a section 4D-4D view of a fluid applicator 400 comprising a base 408, neck 408b, first porous material insert 409, and second porous material insert 410. The second porous material insert 410 has an aperture or opening 410a which extends through the entire length of the second porous material insert 410, and an elongated pin or pin 408c located within the void of the of the hollow base 408 with a third porous material 408d at the distal end. The proximal end of the pin 408c is in contact with the first porous material 409 and a baffle 408-1. The distal end of the pin 408c extends through the void in the first porous material 409 (see Detail 4G) into the void of the second porous material 410a.
(52) FIG. 4E is a proximal end view of a fluid applicator 400 comprising a base 408, neck 408b, first porous material insert 409, and a baffle 408-1.
(53) FIG. 4F is a distal end view of a fluid applicator 400 comprising a base 408, first porous material insert 409, second porous material insert 410, and a third porous material 408d on the distal end of the pin 408c (not shown).
(54) FIG. 4G is a Detail 4G view of a fluid applicator neck 408b, first porous material insert 409, a void in the first porous material 409a, second porous material 410, and an elongated pin 408c and baffle 408-1.
(55) FIG. 4H is a side view of an elongated pin 408c with baffle 408-1. The proximal end has a baffle 408-1. The baffle 408-1 is a flange with notches or openings to allow a fluid to pass through the first porous material 409 (not shown) in place and through aperture 409a (not shown) so as to direct the flow of fluid along the surface of pin 408c.
(56) FIG. 4I is a perspective view of an elongated pin 408c and baffle 408-1. The proximal end has a baffle 408-1 comprising a flange with notches to allow a fluid to pass through the first porous material 409 (not shown). The baffle 408-1 holds the first porous material 409 (not shown) in place while directing the flow of the fluid along the surface of pin 408c.
(57) FIG. 4J is a proximal end view of FIG. 4H showing the baffle 408-1.
(58) FIG. 4K is a distal end view of an elongated pin 408c and baffle 408-1.
(59) The fastener can be of any geometric shape or dimension including any diameter or length. Types of fasteners include aerospace bolts, rivets, screws, and studs which protrude partially or completely through a substrate such as a section of a wing, external fuselage, or internal structural support of an aircraft.
(60) In one embodiment, the anticorrosion coating is applied to the threaded section of a threaded lockbolt. In another embodiment, the lockbolt has a collar that is coated. In another embodiment, the lockbolt has a protruding round or flat head that is coated.
(61) The fluid applicator has a female aperture of porous material that fits over the male protrusion such as a fastener so that the porous material covers and is in contact with the fastener. The anticorrosion substance flows into the hollow body and into the porous material and is dispensed as a uniform coating on the fastener.
(62) The above detailed description of the present invention is given for explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not a limitative sense, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.
