ACTIVE SUPPORT FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF A MECHANICAL PART

Abstract

The invention relates to an active support (11) for the surface treatment of a mechanical part comprising at least one active portion (12) having a first face (13) intended to be pressed against a face of the mechanical part to be treated and a second face (16) opposite the first face (13), said first face (13) being impregnated with an active product selected from: a stripping product or a corrosion protection product. Figure 3b

Description

Title of the invention: ACTIVE SUPPORT FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF A MECHANICAL PART

[0001] The present invention relates to an active support for the surface treatment of a mechanical part. The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the field of aeronautics, for the local stripping of a mechanical part or the protection against corrosion of a mechanical part.

[0002] Figures 1 and 2 show a support element 1 carrying equipment 2. The equipment 2 may be electrical equipment, such as a linear electric actuator, or equipment that is not electrical.

[0003] The support element 1 is mounted on a casing 3 of an aircraft engine, such as a VCI for "Intermediate Casing Shell". For this purpose, at least one fixing member 5 such as a screw associated with a washer 6 cooperates with a nut 7. The nut 7 and the head of the screw 5 may be covered by a layer of varnish 8.

[0004] During an electrical incident, in particular when the equipment 2 is struck by lightning, it is necessary that the electric current 9 (see [Fig.2]) generated by the lightning can be evacuated to an electrical ground point 10 of the system, in particular at the level of the zone Z circled in [Fig.l].

[0005] Since the passage of the electric current 9 directly between the support element 1 and the casing 3 is not possible, the path of electrical continuity represented by the arrows F1 in [Fig.2] passes through the support element 1, the washer 6, the screw 5, the nut 7, the casing 3 and the electrical ground point 10.

[0006] Given that the support element 1 is covered by a coating having electrical insulating properties, it is necessary to locally carry out a stripping operation on the support element 1. The stripping operation consists of locally removing the insulating coating covering the support element 1, in particular a layer of paint, until the bare metal is reached to allow the electrical continuity requirements to be met.

[0007] The operation of stripping the support element 1 makes it possible to guarantee the passage of the electric current 9 between the support element 1 and the washer 6 to evacuate the electric current 9 coming from the equipment 2 towards the electrical ground point 10. The technical problem solved by the invention has been explained for a specific case of a screwed assembly but the invention is applicable to any type of surface and any type of assembly (with or without a washer) to obtain a path of electrical continuity between two parts.

[0008] The stripping of a part at the level of fixing zones can pose difficulties for assembly. Indeed, the retouching of a part carried out for example by means of a metal brush drill is likely to generate dust in the engine during its assembly. In addition, the operation carried out manually by the operator is not repeatable industrially. Furthermore, once the part has been stripped, the bare surface may be exposed to potential corrosion during a storage period occurring before an assembly phase.

[0009] The invention aims to effectively remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing an active support for the surface treatment of a mechanical part comprising at least one active portion having a first face intended to be pressed against a face of the mechanical part to be treated and a second face opposite the first face, said first face being impregnated with an active product selected from: a stripping product or a corrosion protection product.

[0010] The invention thus makes it possible, when the active product is a stripper, to strip a mechanical part during a production phase without generating dust in the assembly area. The invention also makes it possible to improve the conformity and repeatability of stripping operations due to the control of the geometry of the active support, the quantity of stripping product and the duration of application of the impregnated support and therefore the depth of the stripped area. The support is also adaptable to the surfaces to be treated and to the spaces available for its integration.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, said active support further comprises at least one self-adhesive portion having a self-adhesive face intended to be pressed against the face of the mechanical part to be treated to hold the active support against the mechanical part to be treated.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the self-adhesive portion projects relative to an external peripheral edge of the active portion.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second face of the active portion is covered by a protective layer.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the active portion comprises at least one through opening.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the active portion has the shape of an eyelet.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the active portion is made of a material flexible.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method for surface treatment of a mechanical part by means of an active support as previously defined, comprising: - a step of positioning the active support on the mechanical part, - a waiting step during which the active support is left to act for a predetermined period, and - a step of removing the active support at the end of the predetermined duration.

[0018] According to one implementation of the invention, after removal of the active support, said method comprises a step of cleaning a stripped area on which the active support has been positioned.

[0019] According to one implementation of the invention, said method comprises a step of positioning the active portion around at least one passage opening of a fixing member of the mechanical part to be treated.

[0020] According to one implementation of the invention, said method comprises a step of inserting a screw inside the at least one through opening of the active support and the passage opening of the fixing member, so as to press the active portion against a face of any shape of the mechanical part.

[0021] The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description which follows, comprising embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, presented as non-limiting examples, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its embodiment and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1], already described, is a perspective view illustrating an assembly standard of an equipment support element on a casing;

[0023] [Fig.2] [Fig.2], already described, is a schematic sectional representation illustrating a standard mounting of an equipment support element on a housing;

[0024] [Fig.3a] [Fig.3b] Figures 3a and 3b are front and cross-sectional views along the CC axis of an active support for the surface treatment of a mechanical part according to the present invention;

[0025] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a front view of a mechanical part to be treated on which is arranged an active support according to the present invention;

[0026] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view illustrating the positioning and maintaining an active support according to the invention against a face of a mechanical part delimiting a conical shaped milling.

[0027] It should be noted that, in Figures 3a, 3b, 4 and 5, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references. Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

[0028] Figures 3a and 3b show an active support 11 for the surface treatment of a mechanical part 15.

[0029] The active support 11 comprises at least one active portion 12 having a first face 13 intended to be pressed against a face of the mechanical part 15 to be treated (see [Fig.4]) and a second face 16 opposite the first face 13. The first face 13 is impregnated with an active product selected from: a stripping product or a corrosion protection product.

[0030] The active support 11 may comprise, if necessary, at least one self-adhesive portion 19 having a self-adhesive face 20 intended to be pressed against the face of the mechanical part 15 to be treated in order to hold the active support 11 against the mechanical part 15 to be treated. The self-adhesive face 20 is arranged on the same side as the face 13 impregnated with active product.

[0031] In this case, the active portion 12 may comprise a through opening 24. The through opening 24 is intended to be coaxial with a passage opening of a fixing member of the mechanical part 15 to be treated. The active portion 12 may thus be arranged around a passage opening of a fixing member so as to treat, in particular remove grit, an area situated around the passage opening of a fixing member. As a variant, the active portion 12 may comprise several through openings 24 each intended to be arranged around a passage opening of a corresponding fixing member.

[0032] The active portion 12 may have an eyelet shape. The eyelet has, in the undeformed state, an annular shape with a radial orientation relative to an axis X passing through the through opening 24. In other words, in the undeformed state, the active portion 12 extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis X. Alternatively, the active portion 12 may have a square, rectangular, oval, polygonal shape or any other shape suitable for the application. The active portion 12 may have a 3-dimensional shape, in particular a tubular shape to ensure the removal of a fixing member such as a screw.

[0033] The active portion 12 is preferably made of a flexible material. The active portion 12 can thus easily adapt to the shape, in particular to a local curvature, of the mechanical part 15 to be treated.

[0034] The stripping product impregnating the face 13 is chosen according to the coating to be stripped. By way of non-limiting example, it is possible to use a product chosen from the following list: Paintex 2007B (trade name), Socostrip A0212 (trade name), Socostrip A0103N (trade name), E-3000 (trade name), Ardrox 2814 (trade name), Ardrox 2871 (trade name). These stripping products are preferably used in the form of a gel applied to the face 13 of the active support 11. These ready-to-use stripping products are effective at a temperature between 25 and 35°C and make it possible to remove both the primer and the finish.

[0035] Advantageously, the second face 16 of the active portion 12 is covered by a protective layer 21. The protective layer 21 is made of a material compatible with the stripping product. The protective layer 21 is chosen so as to to avoid any chemical interaction between the stripping product and the protective layer 21. The protective layer 21 makes it easier to handle the support by preventing the operator from coming into contact with stripping or anti-corrosion products that are harmful to the skin.

[0036] The self-adhesive portion 19 projects relative to an external peripheral edge of the active portion 12. The self-adhesive portion 19 has the shape of a projecting ear extending towards the outside of the active portion 12. In the example shown, the active support 11 comprises two self-adhesive portions 19 in the shape of projecting ears arranged on either side of the active portion 12.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, a self-adhesive portion 19 has an annular shape shown in dotted lines in [Fig.3a] surrounding the active action portion 12. The self-adhesive portion 19 extends from an external periphery of the active portion 12.

[0038] In the example shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the self-adhesive portions 19 are distinct while being integral with the active portion 12. The active portion 12 and the self-adhesive portions 19 can be made in one piece. In the case where a stripping product compatible with a bonding product is used, the self-adhesive portion 19 is merged with the active portion 12. The face covered with stripping product and the self-adhesive face are then merged with each other.

[0039] The method for surface treatment of a mechanical part 15 using the active support 11 according to the invention is described below.

[0040] This method comprises a step of positioning the active support 11 impregnated with stripping product on the mechanical part 15. The active support 11 can be glued to the mechanical part 15 via the self-adhesive face 20. The active support 11 can be glued so that the active portion 12 comes into contact via the face 13 impregnated with stripping product against the area to be stripped from the mechanical part 15.

[0041] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the active portion 12 may be arranged around an opening 27 for the passage of a fixing member of the mechanical part 15 to be treated. The mechanical part 15 is here a support element but could alternatively take the form of a hatch, an electrical or non-electrical equipment box, a screw or any other part requiring local stripping. As a variant, the active portion 12 may be arranged around several openings 27 for the passage of a fixing member of the mechanical part 15 to be treated.

[0042] According to a particular embodiment, the active portion 12 is initially impregnated at least in part with the active product on the mechanical part 15, to clearly delimit it and be certain of correctly covering the desired pickling zone.

[0043] The active support 11 is then left to act for a predetermined period of time, so that the active support 11 locally attacks an insulating coating of the mechanical part 15.

[0044] The active support 11 is removed at the end of the predetermined duration to obtain a uniformly roughened surface, in particular the surface located around the opening 27 for the passage of a fixing member.

[0045] In the embodiment of [Fig. 5], the method comprises a step of inserting a screw 28 inside the through opening 24 of the active support 11 and the opening 27 for the passage of the fixing member. This makes it possible to press the active portion 12 against a truncated face 29 of the mechanical part 15. Indeed, the active portion 12 is held between the head of the truncated screw 28 and the truncated face 29. The truncated face 29 thus delimits a milling made in the mechanical part 15 having a shape complementary to a head of the screw 28. The face 29 is located in an extension of the opening 27 for the passage of the fixing member. Alternatively, the face 29 may have a cylindrical shape or any other shape suitable for the application.

[0046] The stripped area of ​​the mechanical part 15 is then cleaned and inspected if necessary. The stripped area of ​​the mechanical part 15 is then protected against corrosion for an entire storage period before the use of the mechanical part 15 during a new assembly phase.

[0047] To this end, it is possible to use an active support 11 similar to that described previously having a face 13 impregnated with an anti-corrosion product of the VCI type (for "Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor" according to Anglo-Saxon terminology).

[0048] When implementing the surface treatment method described above, after bonding the support 11 to the mechanical part 15, the support will locally cover the mechanical part 15 with an anti-corrosion product whose face 13 is impregnated.

[0049] Alternatively, the active support 11 is devoid of self-adhesive portion 19.

[0050] Of course, the various features, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0051] Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different operating modes described above, which may be taken separately or in association.

Claims

Claims

1. Active support (11) for the surface treatment of a mechanical part characterized in that said active support (11) comprises: - at least one active portion (12) having a first face (13) intended to be pressed against a face of the mechanical part (15) to be treated and a second face (16) opposite the first face (13), said first face (13) being impregnated with an active product selected from: a stripping product or a corrosion protection product.

2. Active support according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one self-adhesive portion (19) having a self-adhesive face (20) intended to be pressed against the face of the mechanical part (15) to be treated to hold the active support (11) against the mechanical part (15) to be treated.

3. Active support according to claim 2, characterized in that the self-adhesive portion (19) projects relative to an external peripheral edge of the active portion (12).

4. Active support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second face (16) of the active portion (12) is covered by a protective layer (21).

5. Active support according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the active portion (12) comprises at least one through opening (24).

6. Active support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the active portion (12) has the shape of an eyelet.

7. Active support according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the active portion (12) is made of a flexible material.

8. Method for surface treatment of a mechanical part (15) by means of an active support (11) defined according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said method comprises: - a step of positioning the active support (11) on the mechanical part (15), - a waiting step during which the active support (11) is left to act for a predetermined duration, and - a step of removing the active support (11) at the end of the predetermined duration.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a step of positioning the active portion (12) around at least one opening (27) for the passage of a fixing member of the mechanical part (15) to be treated.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a step of inserting a screw inside the at least one through opening (24) of the active support (11) and the opening (27) for passage of the fixing member, so as to press the active portion (12) against a face (29) of any shape of the mechanical part (15).

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