Composite Fastener Cover Suppressing Electrical Discharge

The patent applies composite materials by combining an elastomeric sealant layer with a cap made from composite material (such as carbon fiber-reinforced plastic or other electrically conductive composites). The composite cap provides electrical discharge suppression capability while allowing the sealant layer to maintain a thinner profile. The composite material's inherent electrical conductivity properties enable it to suppress electrical discharge without requiring the sealant to be thick, thus resolving the contradiction between electrical discharge suppression and sealant thickness.

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sealing system into two separate components: a pre-formed cap made from composite material and a sealant layer. Instead of pre-molding the entire sealing assembly as a single elastomeric cap, the solution separates the structural/capping function (performed by the composite cap) from the sealing function (performed by the sealant layer). This segmentation eliminates the complex pre-molding process while maintaining effective sealing through the combination of the cap and sealant layer.

The patent applies composite materials to resolve the strength limitation by using a cap made from composite material (such as carbon fiber-reinforced plastic or other high-strength composites) in combination with the sealant layer. The composite cap provides both the electrical discharge suppression capability and the structural strength that the elastomeric sealant lacks. This composite construction allows the sealant layer to be thinner while maintaining both strength and electrical discharge suppression performance.