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 (1501) for applying a shaped sealant shroud (590) to a portion (106) of a fastener (100) comprises a fitted cap (300) having a cap cavity (303) configured to receive sealant (592) therein, and a relief opening (316). The fitted cap (300) is positionable over the fastener (100) such that a uniform gap (302) is formed between a wall (305) of the fitted cap (300) and the portion (106) of the fastener (100), and the relief opening (316) is communicatively coupled with the uniform gap (302). The system (1501) also comprises a cap-manipulation tool (500) comprising a shaft (510) comprising a through, circumferentially closed, channel (516) communicatively coupled with the relief opening (316) of the fitted cap (300). The fitted cap (300) is rotatable together with the shaft (510) to distribute the sealant (592), previously introduced into the cap cavity (303), in the uniform gap (302) to form the shaped sealant shroud (590). The relief opening (316) is oriented to purge at least one of gas or excess of the sealant (592) from the uniform gap (302) into the channel (516).