The Boeing Company
Systems and methods for making and using a fitted cap for applying a shaped sealant shroud to a portion of a fastener

Abstract:

A system (501) for applying a shaped sealant shroud (590) to a portion (106) of a fastener (100) comprises a fitted cap (300) positionable such that a uniform gap (302) is formed between a wall (305) of the cap and the portion (106) of the fastener (100). The fitted cap (300) further comprises an inlet opening (306) and a vent (309) each configured to be communicatively coupled with the uniform gap (302). The system (501) also comprises a cap-manipulation tool (500) comprising a shaft (510) comprising a through, circumferentially closed, channel (516), configured to receive sealant (592) and to communicate the sealant (592) therethrough. The channel (516) is capable of communicating the sealant (592) through the inlet opening (306) of the fitted cap (300) into the uniform gap (302), and the vent (309) is oriented to purge gas from the uniform gap (302). The fitted cap (300) is rotatable together with the shaft (510) to distribute the sealant (592) in the uniform gap (302) to form the shaped sealant shroud (590).