Heater Assembly With Pressure Pad for Fast Adhesive Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing nutplate fastener assemblies require a lengthy curing time of up to 24 hours for the adhesive bonding agent, which hampers aircraft availability and maintenance, as the adhesive needs to develop sufficient strength to securely hold the nutplate in place.
Innovation Solution
A heater assembly with a central channel and a heat transfer surface that uses a thermally conductive pressure pad to apply controlled heat to the adhesive bondline, accelerating the curing process to four hours or less by aligning with the elastomeric fixture and substrate, utilizing a heating element such as a heater coil or thermistor, and regulating temperature with a controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive bonding agent is used to secure nutplate to substrate, then reliable bond strength is achieved, but curing time extends up to 24 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal energy to change the temperature parameter of the adhesive bonding agent, accelerating the chemical curing reaction. By controlling the heating process, the adhesive achieves full cure strength in 4 hours or less compared to 24 hours at room temperature, directly resolving the time-reliability contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating process is applied in a controlled periodic manner, where thermal energy is delivered to the adhesive bondline and then allowed to dissipate, creating cycles of heating and cooling. This periodic thermal action accelerates curing while preventing excessive heat buildup that could compromise bond quality.
2Loss of time
If heater assembly is added to accelerate curing, then curing time is reduced to four hours or less, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater assembly is merged with the existing applicator tool, combining the heating function with the adhesive application function. This integration allows the same tool to perform both adhesive dispensing and accelerated curing, reducing the need for separate equipment and minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator tool is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an adhesive dispensing device and as a heating device for accelerated curing. The heater element can be positioned to heat the adhesive bondline while the applicator maintains structural alignment, creating a universal tool that performs multiple functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The heater assembly effectively accelerates the curing of the adhesive bonding agent to achieve bond strength comparable to 24-hour curing within four hours, ensuring timely aircraft maintenance and operations.
Implementation Method 1
The outer casing may enclose a heater element generally disposed circumferentially around the central channel
Implementation Method 2
include a thermal insulated cover to direct heat energy toward a heat transfer surface
Implementation Method 3
a thermally conductive pressure pad in engagement with a substrate underneath a baseplate of the attachment having an adhesive bonding agent thereon, wherein the heat transfer surface imparts heat energy to the adhesive bonding agent
Data Source
AI summary
The heater assembly includes a case having a heating element therein, a channel extending through the case and having a size and shape for selectively receiving therethrough a first end of an elastomeric fixture outstretched through a substrate to a first length having a first width, and a heat transfer surface positioned relative to the heating element for receiving generated heat therefrom. The heat transfer surface is generally positionable relative to the substrate to cooperate with an adhesively bondable attachment coupled to a second end of the elastomeric fixture opposite the first end and including an uncured bonding agent disposed thereon. The heater assembly and attachment simultaneously sandwich the substrate in compression engagement in between when the elastomeric fixture extends through the substrate into the central channel and relaxes to a second relatively shorter length having a second relatively larger width.