Patent ID: 11346387

Abstract:
An integral sealant O-ring for sealing fasteners in mating surfaces of a fuel tank includes a fastener hole through an inner mating surface and an outer mating surface, the fastener hole has a chamfer along a fay interface between the mating surfaces. A layer of sealant is applied along the fay interface, and upon tightening of the fastener, the inner and outer mating surfaces are pulled together squeezing the sealant into the chamfer and forming an integral sealant O-ring around the fastener. A method of forming an integral sealant O-ring includes forming a chamfer in a first mating surface substantially concentric with a fastener hole, applying a layer of sealant along the first mating surface, pulling together the first mating surface with a second mating surface by tightening a fastener to trap sealant within the chamfer for forming an integral sealant O-ring.