Apparatus for attaching to aircraft structural component

Examples include an apparatus for providing a point of attachment to a structural component, the apparatus including: a first grommet comprising: a head; and a shaft that extends from a first side of the head, where the shaft comprises a first attachment component opposite the head; a gasket bonded to a second side of the head that is opposite the first side, where the gasket, the head, and the shaft are aligned and a hole is formed through the gasket, the head, and the shaft; and a second grommet comprising a second attachment component that is configured to engage the first attachment component of the first grommet.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to an attachment apparatus, and more specifically to an apparatus for providing a point of attachment to a structural component.

BACKGROUND

Many aircraft include fibrous insulation materials positioned near a skin of the aircraft to help regulate temperature within the aircraft. The insulation materials help form a boundary between an interior “warm space” and an exterior “cold space” of the aircraft. The insulation materials are generally not visible in the cabin because the insulation materials are placed between the skin and interior structures of the aircraft. Such aircraft can also include transport elements that are hidden behind interior structures but still inside the warm space. Examples of transport elements include electrical wiring that connects various components of a public address system or that powers lighting fixtures, or flexible tubing that carries water from a reservoir to various locations throughout the aircraft. Such transport elements within the warm space are generally attached to a structural component (e.g., the skin or a stringer) within the cold space. Thus, the transport elements are often attached to structural components through the insulation materials, which can give rise to various problems.

Humans onboard the aircraft will exhale water vapor, which will be dispersed throughout the warm space and the cold space. At high altitudes, much of the water vapor in the cold space will condense and/or freeze. The ice will melt as the airplane descends to lower altitudes. This water will flow downward and can encounter the attachments that connect the transport elements in the warm space to structures in the cold space. However, many conventional attachments do not form watertight seals with the waterproof vapor barriers that cover the insulation material and/or the structural components of the aircraft. This can result in water leaking from the cold space, through the insulation material, and into the warm space. The water can then leak through lighting panels and other cabin fixtures and into the cabin. Thus, a need exists for an apparatus that can attach transport elements to aircraft structural components through insulation material in a watertight fashion.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure is an apparatus for providing a point of attachment to a structural component, the apparatus comprising: a first grommet comprising: a head; and a shaft that extends from a first side of the head, wherein the shaft comprises a first attachment component opposite the head; a gasket bonded to a second side of the head that is opposite the first side, wherein the gasket, the head, and the shaft are aligned and a hole is formed through the gasket, the head, and the shaft; and a second grommet comprising a second attachment component that is configured to engage the first attachment component of the first grommet.

Another aspect of the disclosure is an attachment system for providing a point of attachment to a structural component, the attachment system comprising: a clamp comprising a boss, wherein the clamp is configured for attachment to the structural component; a first grommet comprising: a head; and a shaft that extends from a first side of the head, wherein the shaft comprises a first attachment component opposite the head; a gasket bonded to a second side of the head that is opposite the first side, wherein the gasket is configured to form a watertight seal with an outer surface of the boss by receiving the boss; a fastener configured to engage the boss; and a second grommet comprising a second attachment component that is configured to engage the first attachment component, wherein the gasket, the head, the shaft, and the second grommet are aligned and a hole is formed through the gasket, the head, the shaft, and the second grommet, the hole being configured to receive the fastener.

A further aspect of the disclosure is a method of installing an attachment system, the method comprising: attaching a clamp comprising a boss to a structural component; placing a head of a first grommet having a first side and a second side over the boss such that a gasket attached to the second side forms a watertight seal with an outer surface of the boss, wherein the first grommet includes (i) a shaft that extends from the first side and (ii) a first attachment component on the shaft opposite the head; forming a hole through insulation material; attaching the first side to the insulation material such that the first side is at a first end of the hole and the shaft is inside the hole; and attaching a second attachment component of a second grommet to the first attachment component from a second end of the hole.

By the term “about” or “substantially” with reference to amounts or measurement values described herein, it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, there exists a need for an apparatus that can attach transport elements to aircraft structural components through insulation material in a watertight fashion.

Within examples, an attachment system provides a point of attachment to a structural component such as a stringer of an aircraft. The attachment system includes a clamp comprising a boss. The clamp is configured for attachment (e.g., clamping) to the structural component. The system also includes a first grommet that includes a head (e.g., a ring-shaped head) and a shaft that extends from a first side of the head. The shaft includes a first attachment component opposite the head (e.g., an attachment component that extends radially outward from the shaft). The attachment system also includes a gasket bonded to a second side of the head that is opposite the first side. The gasket is configured to form a watertight seal with an outer surface of the boss by receiving the boss. The attachment system also includes a fastener (e.g., a threaded bolt) configured to engage the boss, and a second grommet comprising a second attachment component that is configured to engage the first attachment component. The gasket, the head, the shaft, and the second grommet are aligned and a hole is formed through the gasket, the head, the shaft, and the second grommet. The hole is configured to receive the fastener.

To install the attachment system, a technician attaches the clamp to the structural component and places the head of the first grommet over the boss such that the gasket forms a watertight seal with the outer surface of the boss. The technician can form (e.g., punch) a hole through insulation material that is adjacent to the structural component. The technician can also attach (e.g., via adhesive) the first side of the head to the insulation material (e.g., an outboard side of the insulation material) such that the first side of the head is at a first end of the hole through the insulation material and the shaft is inside the hole through the insulation material. Additionally, the technician can attach the second attachment component of the second grommet to the first attachment component from a second end of the hole through the insulation material. The technician can also attach the second grommet to an inboard side of the insulation material via adhesive.

The attachment system can be advantageous when compared to conventional systems because the attachment system is generally capable of piercing insulation material and forming watertight seals on inboard and/or outboard sides of the insulation material.

Disclosed examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which some, but not all of the disclosed examples are shown. Indeed, several different examples may be described and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1is a front view of the apparatus100with the first grommet104and the second grommet120being unattached to each other. The apparatus100can provide a point of attachment to a structural component of an aircraft. As shown inFIG. 1, the apparatus100includes the first grommet104. The first grommet104further includes a head106and a shaft108that that extends from a first side110of the head106. The shaft108includes a first attachment component112opposite the head106. The apparatus100also includes a gasket114bonded to a second side116of the head106that is opposite the first side110. The gasket114, the head106, and the shaft108are aligned and a hole118is formed through the gasket114, the head106, and the shaft108. The hole118through the shaft108is shown inFIG. 5and described below. The apparatus100also includes the second grommet120that includes a second attachment component that is configured to engage the first attachment component112of the first grommet104. The second attachment component is illustrated inFIG. 2, as described below.

The first grommet104can be formed of plastic or other lightweight materials. The head106is substantially annular (e.g., ring-shaped) and the shaft108has a cylindrical shape. The first attachment component112extends radially outward from the shaft108, taking the form of a circular ridge.

The gasket114is bonded to the second side116of the head106via an adhesive material (e.g, acrylic, resin, epoxy, or pressure sensitive adhesive). The gasket114can be formed of vulcanized rubber, plastic, or similar materials configured for forming a watertight seal with objects that are received through the hole118in the gasket114. In other examples, the hole in the gasket can be shaped differently from what is shown inFIG. 1, but will generally match the shape of the shaft of the first grommet.

The second grommet120can be formed of plastic, rubber, or other lightweight materials, similar to the first grommet104.

FIG. 2is an exploded view of the apparatus100. The apparatus100includes an adhesive material140that is disposed on the first side110of the head106of the first grommet104. The apparatus100also includes a removable tab149(e.g., a paper or plastic tab) that covers the adhesive material140on the first grommet104. A technician can remove the removable tab149to expose the adhesive material140and attach the first side110of the head106to insulation material using the adhesive material140, as discussed below. The gasket114is bonded to the second side116of the head106via an adhesive material141.

The second grommet120includes a second head124(e.g., a substantially annular head). The apparatus100further includes a second gasket126that is bonded to the second head124and configured to form a watertight seal with an outer surface130of the shaft108of the first grommet104by receiving the shaft108through a second hole132of the second gasket126. The second grommet120includes a second attachment component122that is configured to engage the first attachment component112of the first grommet104. That is, the first attachment component112and the second attachment component122are configured to form a snap-fit connection. The second gasket126includes a raised portion138that surrounds the second hole132. Additionally, an adhesive material143is disposed on the second gasket126facing away from the second head124. A removable tab142covers the adhesive material143on the second gasket126. A technician can remove the removable tab142to expose the adhesive material143and attach the second gasket126(e.g., the second grommet120) to insulation material using the adhesive material143, as discussed below. An adhesive material145bonds the second gasket126to the second head124.

FIG. 3is a bottom view of the first grommet104and a top view of the second grommet120. The second hole132has a diameter134that is less than an outer diameter136of the shaft108when the second gasket126is not under tension or compression. That is, the diameter134is less than the outer diameter136when the second gasket is at rest.

FIG. 4is a top view of the first grommet104and a top view of the second head124disengaged with the second gasket126. An outer diameter144of the head106of the first grommet104is greater than the outer diameter136of the shaft108of the first grommet104. An outer diameter148of the gasket114of the first grommet104is less than the outer diameter144of the head106of the first grommet104.

FIG. 5is an exploded view of an attachment system200for providing a point of attachment103to a structural component102. The upper right portion ofFIG. 5includes an alternative view of the first grommet104for additional reference.

The point of attachment103takes the form of a circular ring of a ring post210. For example, flexible tubing for carrying water or electrical wiring can be routed through the ring post210(e.g., routed through a series of ring posts dispersed throughout an aircraft). As shown inFIG. 5, the structural component102takes the form of a stringer that is bonded to a skin101of an aircraft, but other examples are possible.

The attachment system200includes a clamp202comprising a boss204. The clamp202is configured for attachment to the structural component102. The attachment system200also includes the first grommet104that includes the head106and the shaft108that extends from the first side110of the head106. The shaft108includes the first attachment component112opposite the head106. The attachment system200also includes the gasket114bonded to the second side116of the head106that is opposite the first side110. The gasket114is configured to form a watertight seal with an outer surface206of the boss204by receiving the boss204. The attachment system200also includes a fastener208configured to engage the boss204. The attachment system200also includes the second grommet120including the second attachment component (e.g., hidden inside the second grommet120) that is configured to engage the first attachment component112. The gasket114, the head106, the shaft108, and the second grommet120are aligned and a hole118is formed through the gasket114, the head106, the shaft108, and the second grommet120. The hole118is configured to receive the fastener208.

The clamp202can be formed of plastic or other lightweight materials and is configured to clamp to the structural component102via tightening of a screw that pulls two opposite sides of the clamp202together against the structural component102. The boss204is cylindrically shaped, however in other examples the boss can have other shapes. The boss204includes a hole219(e.g., a threaded hole) for receiving the fastener208. The hole219can be considered part of the hole118.

The gasket114is configured to fit over the boss204to form a watertight seal with the outer surface206of the boss204. Thus, the gasket114generally has a shape similar to that of the boss204.

The fastener208can take the form of a threaded bolt or a screw, but other examples are possible.

When the attachment system200is assembled, the shaft108is at least partially inside a hole121in an insulation material119. The hole121can be considered part of the hole118as well.

The attachment system200further includes the ring post210that is configured to provide the point of attachment103for a transport element. The fastener208is configured to secure the ring post210to the second grommet120by inserting the fastener208through the ring post210, the hole121, and the hole118, and engaging the boss204.

FIG. 6is a close up view of the clamp202. As shown, the boss204includes ribs215that are raised with respect to the outer surface of the boss204. The gasket attached to the first grommet is configured to form the watertight seal additionally with the ribs215.

FIG. 7is a side view of the attachment system200. As shown, the first grommet104and the second grommet120are secured to the insulation material119on opposite sides of the insulation material119. That is, the first grommet104is attached adjacent to a first end115of the hole121within the insulation material119and the second grommet120is attached adjacent to a second end153of the hole121within the insulation material119. The hole121can form part of the hole118shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 8is a front view of the attachment system200.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of the attachment system200.

FIG. 10is a cross sectional view of the attachment system200as assembled.

FIG. 11is a block diagram of the method300.FIG. 11shows a flowchart of the method300of installing the attachment system200, according to example implementations. The method300presents an example of a method that could be used with the apparatus100and/or the attachment system200shown inFIGS. 1-10. As shown inFIG. 11, the method300includes one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by blocks302,304,306,308, and310. Although the blocks are illustrated in a sequential order, these blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

At block302, the method300includes attaching the clamp202comprising the boss204to the structural component102.

At block304, the method300includes placing the head106of the first grommet104having the first side110and the second side116over the boss204such that the gasket114attached to the second side116forms a watertight seal with the outer surface206of the boss204. The first grommet104includes (i) the shaft108that extends from the first side110and (ii) the first attachment component112on the shaft108opposite the head106.

At block306, the method300includes forming the hole121through the insulation material119. The hole121can be formed using a punching tool, as described above. That is, the hole121is formed via punching or cutting.

At block308, the method300includes attaching the first side110to the insulation material119such that the first side110is at the first end115of the hole121(e.g., against the insulation material119) and the shaft108is inside the hole121.

At block310, the method300includes attaching the second attachment component122of the second grommet120to the first attachment component112from the second end153of the hole121.

FIG. 12is a block diagram of the method320.FIG. 12shows a flowchart of the method320of installing the attachment system200, according to example implementations. The method320presents an example of a method that could be used with the apparatus100and/or the attachment system200shown inFIGS. 1-10.

At block312, the method320includes forming a second watertight seal between the second gasket126that is bonded to the second head124of the second grommet120and an outer surface130of the shaft108by inserting the shaft108through the second gasket126. As such, the second attachment component122is configured to mechanically couple to the first attachment component112whereas the second gasket126is configured to form the second watertight seal with the outer surface130of the shaft108.

FIG. 13is a block diagram of the method330.FIG. 13shows a flowchart of the method330of installing the attachment system200, according to example implementations. The method330presents an example of a method that could be used with the apparatus100and/or the attachment system200shown inFIGS. 1-10. As shown inFIG. 13, the method330includes one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by blocks314and316. Although the blocks are illustrated in a sequential order, these blocks may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also, the various blocks may be combined into fewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based upon the desired implementation.

At block314, the method330includes inserting the fastener208through the ring post210, the second grommet120, the shaft108, and the first grommet104.

At block316, the method330includes engaging the fastener208with the boss204.

It should be understood that for this and other processes and methods disclosed herein, flowcharts show functionality and operation of one possible implementation of present examples. Alternative implementations are included within the scope of the examples of the present disclosure in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrent or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art.

Examples of the present disclosure can thus relate to one of the enumerated clauses (ECs) listed below.

EC 1 is an apparatus for providing a point of attachment to a structural component, the apparatus comprising: a first grommet comprising: a head; and a shaft that extends from a first side of the head, wherein the shaft comprises a first attachment component opposite the head; a gasket bonded to a second side of the head that is opposite the first side, wherein the gasket, the head, and the shaft are aligned and a hole is formed through the gasket, the head, and the shaft; and a second grommet comprising a second attachment component that is configured to engage the first attachment component of the first grommet.

EC 2 is the apparatus of EC 1, wherein the second grommet comprises a second head, the apparatus further comprising a second gasket that is bonded to the second head and configured to form a watertight seal with an outer surface of the shaft of the first grommet by receiving the shaft through a second hole of the second gasket.

EC 3 is the apparatus of EC 2, wherein the second hole has a diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the shaft when the second gasket is not under tension or compression.

EC 4 is the apparatus of any of ECs 2-3, wherein the second gasket comprises a raised portion that surrounds the second hole.

EC 5 is the apparatus of any of ECs 2-4, further comprising an adhesive material disposed on the second gasket facing away from the second head.

EC 6 is the apparatus of EC 5, further comprising a removable tab that covers the adhesive material on the second gasket.

EC 7 is the apparatus of any of ECs 1-6, wherein the head has a substantially annular shape.

EC 8 is the apparatus of any of ECs 1-7, wherein the first attachment component extends radially outward from the shaft.

EC 9 is the apparatus of any of ECs 1-8, wherein an outer diameter of the head of the first grommet is greater than an outer diameter of the shaft of the first grommet.

EC 10 is the apparatus of any of ECs 1-9, wherein an outer diameter of the gasket of the first grommet is less than an outer diameter of the head of the first grommet.

EC 11 is the apparatus of any of ECs 1-10, further comprising an adhesive material disposed on the first side of the head of the first grommet.

EC 12 is the apparatus of EC 11, further comprising a removable tab that covers the adhesive material on the first grommet.

EC 13 is an attachment system for providing a point of attachment to a structural component, the attachment system comprising: a clamp comprising a boss, wherein the clamp is configured for attachment to the structural component; a first grommet comprising: a head; and a shaft that extends from a first side of the head, wherein the shaft comprises a first attachment component opposite the head; a gasket bonded to a second side of the head that is opposite the first side, wherein the gasket is configured to form a watertight seal with an outer surface of the boss by receiving the boss; a fastener configured to engage the boss; and a second grommet comprising a second attachment component that is configured to engage the first attachment component, wherein the gasket, the head, the shaft, and the second grommet are aligned and a hole is formed through the gasket, the head, the shaft, and the second grommet, the hole being configured to receive the fastener.

EC 14 is the attachment system of EC 13, further comprising a ring post configured to provide the point of attachment for a transport element, wherein the fastener is configured to secure the ring post to the second grommet by inserting the fastener through the ring post and the hole and engaging the boss.

EC 15 is the attachment system of any of ECs 13-14, further comprising an adhesive material disposed on the first side.

EC 16 is the attachment system of any of ECs 13-15, wherein the second grommet comprises a second head, the attachment system further comprising a second gasket that is bonded to the second head and configured to form a second watertight seal with an outer surface of the shaft by receiving the shaft through a second hole of the second gasket.

EC 17 is the attachment system of EC 16, wherein the boss comprises a rib that is raised with respect to the outer surface of the shaft, and wherein the gasket is configured to form the watertight seal additionally with the rib.

EC 18 is a method of installing an attachment system, the method comprising: attaching a clamp comprising a boss to a structural component; placing a head of a first grommet having a first side and a second side over the boss such that a gasket attached to the second side forms a watertight seal with an outer surface of the boss, wherein the first grommet includes (i) a shaft that extends from the first side and (ii) a first attachment component on the shaft opposite the head; forming a hole through insulation material; attaching the first side to the insulation material such that the first side is at a first end of the hole and the shaft is inside the hole; and attaching a second attachment component of a second grommet to the first attachment component from a second end of the hole.

EC 19 is the method of EC 18, further comprising forming a second watertight seal between a second gasket that is bonded to a second head of the second grommet and an outer surface of the shaft by inserting the shaft through the second gasket.

EC 20 is the method of any of ECs 18-19, further comprising: inserting a fastener through a ring post, the second grommet, the shaft, and the first grommet; and engaging the fastener with the boss.