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Optical fasteners having heads with lenses

Active Publication Date: 2020-09-17
THE BOEING CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The technical effect of this patent is to provide a system and method for inspecting internal portions of a structure without the need to remove covering parts. This is efficient, reduces labor and time, and maintains the structure's integrity. The patent also introduces a window system for aircraft that keeps its form and can be manufactured efficiently.

Problems solved by technology

As can be appreciated, the process of removing covering portions of the aircraft to inspect interior portions and subsequently re-assembling the covering portions is time- and labor- intensive.
The process of securing window assemblies to a fuselage of an aircraft is also time- and labor-intensive.

Method used

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  • Optical fasteners having heads with lenses
  • Optical fasteners having heads with lenses
  • Optical fasteners having heads with lenses

Examples

Experimental program
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Embodiment Construction

[0036]The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular condition may include additional elements not having that condition.

[0037]Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fastener including a head configured to be engaged by a tool and a shaft extending from the head. The shaft includes a distal end that is opposite from the head. At least one optical compo...

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PUM

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Abstract

A fastener includes a head that is configured to be engaged by a tool, and a shaft extending from the head. The shaft includes a distal end that is opposite from the head. At least one optical component is coupled to one or both of the head or the shaft. The optical component(s) is configured to allow light to pass through the fastener. A window system includes a panel that includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, and the fastener extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the panel. A screen is coupled to the interior surface. The screen receives light from the optical component(s) of the fastener.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to fasteners, and, more particularly, to optically transparent fasteners.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]Various complex structural systems include numerous components. For example, an aircraft fuselage includes numerous frames, stringers, spars, and the like that covered by panels, skins, and other such covering structures. During a manufacturing process, or subsequent maintenance inspection, interior portions of the aircraft that are covered by covering structures may be inspected. In order to inspect the interior portions, the covering portions are typically removed so that the interior portions, such as the frames, stringers, spars, and the like, may be viewed and assessed. After the interior portions have been inspected, the covering portions are repositioned and secured over the interior portions. As can be appreciated, the process of removing covering portions of the aircraft to inspect inte...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G02B6/32G02B6/42G02B6/38
CPCG02B6/389B64C1/1484G02B6/325G02B6/4248G02B6/4204G02B6/0008G02B6/06G02B6/32B64F5/40F16B35/041F16B2200/95
Inventor BOLTON, JOSEPH ANDREWHUMFELD, KEITH DANIEL
Owner THE BOEING CO