Patent Description:
Conventionally, metal fasteners in a composite aircraft fuel tank are isolated from the fuel volume by sealant and/or seal caps. The sealant and/or seal caps is/are physically and/or electrically separate the metal fasteners from the fuel volume and is/are configured to contain any ignition hazard. Installation of sealant and/or seal caps requires laborintensive steps, such as solvent cleaning, brush coating, multiple hand-application steps, curing, and inspection. The associated installation time and inspection time increase the cost of aircraft. Furthermore, many fasteners are located sufficiently close to other fasteners so that seal caps must be custom trimmed to fit over the respective fasteners without physically interfering with adjacent fasteners or seal caps. Custom trimming further increases manufacturing lead time, and thus, cost.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states an apparatus for installing pre-molded seal caps onto fasteners that extend from a surface. Apparatus comprises a plunger mechanism, configured to individually install the pre-molded seal caps onto selected ones of the fasteners. Apparatus also comprises a feed system, configured to sequentially deliver the pre-molded seal caps, arranged on a carrier strip, to the plunger mechanism. Apparatus additionally comprises a take-up mechanism, configured to collect the carrier strip as the pre-molded seal caps are sequentially removed from the carrier strip. The plunger mechanism is also configured to operate in concert with the feed system to sequentially remove the pre-molded seal caps from the carrier strip.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states in one example a form for supporting a volume of a viscous substance encapsulating at least a portion of an object while the viscous substance solidifies to form a seal. The form comprises a nonmetallic solidified material; a distal axial opening; a proximal axial opening; and a lateral wall between the distal axial opening and the proximal axial opening. The lateral wall comprises an outwardly facing surface having a surface area, and at least one through lateral opening.

Accordingly, apparatuses and methods, intended to address at least the aboveidentified concerns, would find utility.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples of the subject matter, disclosed herein.

Disclosed herein is an ignition-suppressing device for shielding fasteners. The ignition-suppressing device is provided as defined in appended claim <NUM>. Having multiple receptacles spaced apart along the ribbon enables a supply of the receptacles to be easily dispensed during manufacture of the aircraft fuel tank, significantly reducing the time involved compared to installation of individual rigid caps in aircraft fuel tanks.

Also disclosed herein is an aircraft fuel tank. The aircraft fuel tank comprises the ignition-suppressing device, a wall, and fasteners, extending inside the aircraft fuel tank from the wall. Each of the fasteners is received by a respective one of the receptacles of the ignition-suppressing device.

Also disclosed herein is a method of installing, in an aircraft fuel tank, an ignition-suppressing device as per claim <NUM>.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and where like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. In the drawings:.

In <FIG>, referred to above, solid lines, if any, connecting various elements and/or components may represent mechanical, electrical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic and other couplings and/or combinations thereof. As used herein, "coupled" means associated directly as well as indirectly. For example, a member A may be directly associated with a member B, or may be indirectly associated therewith, e.g., via another member C. It will be understood that not all relationships among the various disclosed elements are necessarily represented. Accordingly, couplings other than those depicted in the block diagrams may also exist. Dashed lines, if any, connecting blocks designating the various elements and/or components represent couplings similar in function and purpose to those represented by solid lines; however, couplings represented by the dashed lines may either be selectively provided or may relate to alternative examples of the subject matter, disclosed herein. Likewise, elements and/or components, if any, represented with dashed lines, indicate alternative examples of the subject matter, disclosed herein. One or more elements shown in solid and/or dashed lines may be omitted from a particular example without departing from the scope of the subject matter, disclosed herein. Environmental elements, if any, are represented with dotted lines. Virtual (imaginary) elements may also be shown for clarity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some of the features illustrated in <FIG> may be combined in various ways without the need to include other features described in <FIG>, other drawing figures, and/or the accompanying disclosure, even though such combination or combinations are not explicitly illustrated herein. Similarly, additional features not limited to the examples presented, may be combined with some or all of the features shown and described herein.

In <FIG>, referred to above, the blocks may represent operations and/or portions thereof and lines connecting the various blocks do not imply any particular order or dependency of the operations or portions thereof. Blocks represented by dashed lines indicate alternative operations and/or portions thereof. Dashed lines, if any, connecting the various blocks represent alternative dependencies of the operations or portions thereof. It will be understood that not all dependencies among the various disclosed operations are necessarily represented. <FIG> and the accompanying disclosure describing the operations of the method(s) set forth herein should not be interpreted as necessarily determining a sequence in which the operations are to be performed. Rather, although one illustrative order is indicated, it is to be understood that the sequence of the operations may be modified when appropriate. Accordingly, certain operations may be performed in a different order or simultaneously. Additionally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all operations described need be performed.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may be practiced without some or all of these particulars. In other instances, details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts will be described in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Moreover, reference to, e.g., a "second" item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a "first" or lowernumbered item, and/or, e.g., a "third" or higher-numbered item.

Reference herein to "one or more examples" means that one or more feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one implementation. The phrase "one or more examples" in various places in the specification may or may not be referring to the same example.

Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples of the subject matter, disclosed herein, are provided below.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> for shielding fasteners <NUM> comprises ribbon <NUM> and receptacles <NUM> that are spaced apart from one another along ribbon <NUM>.

Ignition-suppressing device <NUM> therefor is configured to be installed over fasteners <NUM> within aircraft fuel tank <NUM>, with fasteners <NUM> extending into re spective ones of receptacles <NUM> for suppression of ignition events, such as a result of lightning strikes on an aircraft. Having multiple ones of receptacles <NUM> spaced apart along ribbon <NUM> enables a supply of receptacles <NUM> to be easily dispensed during manufacture of aircraft fuel tank <NUM>, significantly reducing the time involved compared to installation of individual rigid caps in aircraft fuel tanks.

In one or more examples, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is constructed with a specific spacing of receptacles <NUM> corresponding to a specific spacing of fasteners <NUM> within aircraft fuel tank <NUM>. Accordingly, in such examples, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is dispensed and installed without the need for alteration of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>, further reducing the time involved compared to installation of individual rigid caps.

In one or more examples, ribbon <NUM> and/or ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is described as a strip.

In one or more examples, as illustrated in <FIG>, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is able to be spooled for ease of storage and subsequent dispensing during installation within aircraft fuel tank <NUM>.

In one or more examples, receptacles <NUM> and ribbon <NUM> are constructed of any materials to perform the functions thereof discussed herein, including materials that are compatible with aircraft fuel.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, ribbon <NUM> and receptacles <NUM> are constructed as a unitary structure of material.

By being constructed of the same material as a unitary structure, ignition - suppressing device <NUM> is easily manufactured.

As used herein, "unitary structure" simply means that ribbon <NUM> and receptacles <NUM> are unitary in nature and are not constructed separately and subsequently coupled together. "Unitary structure" does not preclude the material having multiple layers or fibers woven together, for example.

Referring generally to <FIG>, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM> or <NUM>, above, receptacles <NUM> are permeable to gases, are permeable to gases and permeable to aircraft fuel, or are permeable to gases and impermeable to aircraft fuel.

By being permeable to gases, following an electrical event, resulting in combustion gases within receptacles <NUM>, receptacles <NUM> enable the combustion gases to leak out of the receptacles into the fuel tank. By being permeable to gases and permeable to aircraft fuel, even if fuel vapor or liquid fuel is present in a receptacle during an electrical event, the receptacle will suppress any combustion of the fuel vapor or liquid fuel. By being impermeable to aircraft fuel, receptacles <NUM> not only contain the ejection of hot particles and/or gas that may result from lightning strikes or other electrical events, but also they keep aircraft fuel, which under certain conditions will vaporize and be combustible, out of receptacles <NUM>.

In one or more examples, material that is both permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids includes woven and non-woven polymer fabrics, including stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as sold under the GORE-TEX™ brand.

In one or more examples, receptacles <NUM> and/or ribbon <NUM> are constructed of multiple layers of material. In one or more such examples, a batting, such as of nylon felt, may be positioned between two outer layers of material, such as PTFE fabric.

Referring generally to <FIG>, and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses any one of examples <NUM> to <NUM>, above, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> further comprises obverse side <NUM>, reverse side <NUM>, and lateral sides <NUM> between obverse side <NUM> and reverse side <NUM>. Ignition-suppressing device <NUM> additionally comprises adhesive regions <NUM>.

Adhesive regions <NUM> couple ignition-suppressing device <NUM> to aircraft fuel tank <NUM>.

In one or more examples, at least a subset of adhesive regions <NUM> is positioned to adhere ignition-suppressing device <NUM> to wall <NUM> of aircraft fuel tank <NUM>. In one or more additional examples, as discussed herein, at least another subset of adhesive regions <NUM> is positioned to adhere ignition-suppressing device <NUM> to fasteners <NUM> extending from wall <NUM> of aircraft fuel tank <NUM>.

In one or more examples, adhesive regions <NUM> comprises any suitable adhesive compatible with the material or materials from which ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is constructed, with the material or materials of wall <NUM> and/or fasteners <NUM> of aircraft fuel tank <NUM>, and with aircraft fuel.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, adhesive regions <NUM> comprise adhesive edge regions <NUM>, located on reverse side <NUM> and extending along and adjacent to lateral sides <NUM>.

Adhesive edge regions <NUM> couple ignition-suppressing device <NUM> to wall <NUM> of aircraft fuel tank <NUM> and seal receptacles <NUM> from the fuel in aircraft fuel tank <NUM>.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> and <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, adhesive regions <NUM> further comprise adhesive cross regions <NUM>, located on reverse side <NUM>, extending transversely to adhesive edge regions <NUM> between lateral sides <NUM>, and spaced apart from one another along ignition-suppressing device <NUM> between receptacles <NUM>.

With adhesive edge regions <NUM>, adhesive cross regions <NUM> create an enclosed space around each of receptacles <NUM>. Accordingly, upon an electrical event, associated with a receptacle, an adjacent receptacle will not necessarily be impacted. That is, hot particles and/or combustion gases will not travel from one receptacle to another.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> and <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, adhesive regions <NUM> further comprise adhesive central regions <NUM>, located on reverse side <NUM> and spaced apart from one another along ribbon <NUM>. Each of adhesive central regions <NUM> is positioned between adhesive edge regions <NUM>.

Adhesive central regions <NUM> facilitate proper positioning of ignition-suppressing device <NUM> on wall <NUM> of aircraft fuel tank <NUM> during installation of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

Also, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in one or more examples, adhesive central regions <NUM> facilitate the coupling together of adjacent regions of reverse side <NUM> to reduce the spacing between adjacent ones of receptacles <NUM> to appropriately align with similarly spaced adjacent ones of fasteners <NUM>.

Referring generally to <FIG>, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, adhesive central regions <NUM> have a faster curing rate than adhesive edge regions <NUM> and adhesive cross regions <NUM>.

Because adhesive central regions <NUM> cure faster than adhesive edge regions <NUM> and adhesive cross regions <NUM>, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is easily and properly positionable on wall <NUM> during installation, so that a long-term, stronger, and/or more chemically resistant bond subsequently can be established with adhesive edge regions <NUM> and adhesive cross regions <NUM> following initial placement of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> and <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses any one of examples <NUM> to <NUM>, above, adhesive regions <NUM> further comprise adhesive fastener regions <NUM>, located on reverse side <NUM> and spaced apart from one another along ignition-suppressing device <NUM>. Each of adhesive fastener regions <NUM> is positioned within a respective one of receptacles <NUM>.

Adhesive fastener regions <NUM> are therefore positioned to ensure that receptacles <NUM>, once operatively positioned over fasteners <NUM>, remain in place during and subsequent to installation of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> and <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, each of adhesive fastener regions <NUM> comprises first adhesive portion <NUM> and second adhesive portion <NUM>. First adhesive portion <NUM> has a faster curing rate than second adhesive portion <NUM>.

Inclusion of a faster-curing portion enables receptacles <NUM> to be operatively positioned and retained over fasteners <NUM> during installation of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>, while inclusion of a slower-curing portion enables a long-term bond between receptacles <NUM> and fasteners <NUM> following initial positioning of receptacles <NUM> over fasteners <NUM>.

Examples of slower curing adhesives for use as adhesive edge regions <NUM>, adhesive cross regions <NUM>, and second adhesive portion <NUM> of adhesive fastener regions <NUM> include polysulfide sealants, such as such as a polyurethanes, polythioethers, manganese dioxide cured polysulfides, dichromate cured polysulfides, epoxy cured polythioethers, etc., and combinations thereof. Examples of faster curing adhesives for use as adhesive central regions <NUM> and first adhesive portion <NUM> of adhesive fastener regions <NUM> include structural acrylic, epoxy, etc..

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, first adhesive portion <NUM> and second adhesive portion <NUM> are adjacent to each other.

By first adhesive portion <NUM> and second adhesive portion <NUM> of adhesive fastener regions <NUM> being adjacent to each other on reverse side <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>, manufacturing of ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is facilitated, such as by utilization of two adjacent nozzles of adhesive for dispensing of the respective adhesives onto reverse side <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

The adhesive fastener region illustrated on the right side of <FIG> is an example where first adhesive portion <NUM> and second adhesive portion <NUM> are adjacent to each other.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> and <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM> or <NUM>, above, first adhesive portion <NUM> and second adhesive portion <NUM> are concentric with each other.

By first adhesive portion <NUM> and second adhesive portion <NUM> of adhesive fastener regions <NUM> being concentric with each other on reverse side <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>, manufacturing of ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is facilitated, such as by utilization of a nozzle with concentric outlets for dispensing of the respective adhesives onto reverse side <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

The adhesive fastener region illustrated on the left side of <FIG> and the adhesive fastener regions <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> are examples where first adhesive portion <NUM> and second adhesive portion <NUM> are concentric with each other.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses any one of examples <NUM> to <NUM>, above, adhesive regions <NUM> further comprise adhesive retaining regions <NUM>, located on obverse side <NUM> and spaced apart from one another along ignition-suppressing device <NUM> and between receptacles <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, inclusion of adhesive retaining regions <NUM> on obverse side <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM> enables regions of ribbon <NUM> to be brought together and folded over onto an adjacent region of ribbon <NUM>. As a result, the spacing between two adjacent ones of receptacles <NUM> is reduced to correspond to the spacing of two adjacent ones of fasteners <NUM>, and the flap created by the bringing together of the regions of ribbon <NUM> is secured to the adjacent region of ribbon <NUM> by an adhesive retaining region, avoiding the flap extending into a volume of fuel within aircraft fuel tank <NUM>, as illustrated, for example, in <FIG>.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses any one of examples <NUM> to <NUM>, above, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> further comprises reverse-side release sheet <NUM>, releasably coupled to reverse side <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

Reverse-side release sheet <NUM> restricts premature curing of adhesive regions <NUM> on reverse side <NUM> and permits handling and storage of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

In one or more examples, reverse-side release sheet <NUM> is an aluminum tape. In one or more examples, reverse-side release sheet <NUM> is a polymeric film.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses any one of examples <NUM> to <NUM>, above, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> further comprises obverse-side release sheet <NUM>, releasably coupled to obverse side <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

Obverse-side release sheet <NUM> restricts premature curing of adhesive regions <NUM> on obverse side <NUM> and permits handling and storage of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

In one or more examples, obverse-side release sheet <NUM> is an aluminum tape. In one or more examples, obverse-side release sheet <NUM> is a polymeric film.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, obverse-side release sheet <NUM> comprises openings <NUM>, extending around receptacles <NUM>.

Openings <NUM> enable obverse-side release sheet <NUM> to accommodate receptacles <NUM> that extend away from ribbon <NUM> in one or more examples.

In one or more examples, obverse-side release sheet <NUM> instead comprises multiple spaced-apart portions that are separately releasably coupled to ribbon <NUM> on obverse side <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses any one of examples <NUM> to <NUM>, above, each one of receptacles <NUM> comprises reverse surface <NUM>, located on reverse side <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>. Any one of receptacles <NUM> is configured to extend away from ribbon <NUM> responsive to a predetermined pressure, applied to all of reverse surface <NUM> of that one of receptacles <NUM> and/or responsive to a predetermined force, applied to a portion of reverse surface <NUM> of that one of receptacles <NUM>.

Accordingly, during a lightning strike or other electrical event in which hot gases are formed within a receptacle or hot particles are ejected from a fastener or near a fastener, the receptacle will expand as a result of the increase in pressure within the receptacle. As a result, the forces associated with the electrical event will be dampened, and the integrity of the receptacle will be maintained and able to operatively perform during subsequent electrical events.

In addition, in one or more examples, as illustrated in <FIG>, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is able to be easily spooled with receptacles <NUM> generally flattened into a collapsed conformation and selectively deployed to a deployed conformation when being positioned over fasteners <NUM> during installation. That is, fasteners <NUM> will engage a portion of reverse surface <NUM> and force the corresponding receptacle to extend away from the adjacent portion of ribbon <NUM> to create a volume within the corresponding receptacle into which the fastener extends.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG>, and <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, each of receptacles <NUM> comprises at least one circular corrugation <NUM>, extendable away from ribbon <NUM> responsive to an increase in pressure within receptacles <NUM>.

The circular corrugations enable a greater increase in volume within receptacles <NUM> when an electrical event occurs. The circular corrugations also enable receptacles <NUM> to accommodate multiple sizes and/or shapes of fasteners <NUM>.

In one or more examples, the circular corrugations are described as, or as forming, bellows.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> and <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses any one of examples <NUM> to <NUM>, above, ribbon <NUM> comprises at least one weakened region <NUM>, extending laterally across ribbon <NUM> between adjacent ones of receptacles <NUM>.

Having at least one weakened region <NUM> between adjacent ones of receptacles <NUM>, individual or subsets of receptacles <NUM> may be separated from a remainder of ignition-suppressing device <NUM> during installation thereof, such as following installation over a linear row of fasteners <NUM> and/or when the spacing between receptacles <NUM> is not aligned with the spacing of fasteners <NUM>, over which receptacles <NUM> are being positioned.

In one or more examples, multiple weakened regions extend laterally across ribbon <NUM> between adjacent ones of receptacles <NUM>.

By including multiple weakened regions, such as at least one weakened region <NUM>, between adjacent ones of receptacles <NUM>, different lengths of ribbon <NUM> may be selectively removed during installation of ignition-suppressing device <NUM> to correspond to various spacings of fasteners <NUM>.

In one or more examples, in addition to or in place of the multiple weakened regions, indicia representing cut lines are provided to facilitate a technician separating adjacent regions of ignition-suppressing device <NUM> along a weakened region or cutting ignition-suppressing device <NUM> along the cut lines.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> and <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, at least one weakened region <NUM> comprises perforations <NUM>.

Perforations <NUM> facilitate separation of adjacent portions of ignition-suppressing device <NUM> without the need for a tool, such as scissors or other cutter.

Referring generally to <FIG>, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM> or <NUM>, above, at least one weakened region <NUM> comprises one or more score lines <NUM>.

Score lines facilitate separation of adjacent portions of ignition-suppressing device <NUM> without the need for a tool, such as scissors or other cutter.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses any one of examples <NUM> to <NUM>, above, each of receptacles <NUM> comprises substrate portion <NUM> and concentric rings <NUM>, coupled to substrate portion <NUM>.

Concentric rings <NUM> provide structure to maintain receptacles <NUM> in a generally circular configuration around fasteners <NUM> when ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is installed. Moreover, in one or more examples, concentric rings <NUM> facilitate receptacles <NUM> collapsing to a collapsed conformation, such as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and selectively deploying to a deployed conformation, such as illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, concentric rings <NUM> are more rigid than substrate portion <NUM>.

By being more rigid than substrate portion <NUM>, concentric rings <NUM> provide structure to maintain receptacles <NUM> in a generally circular configuration around fasteners <NUM> when ignition-suppressing device <NUM> is installed.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM> or <NUM>, above, one of concentric rings <NUM> is different in diameter from at least one other one of concentric rings <NUM>.

By having different diameters, concentric rings <NUM> not only facilitate the collapsing and expanding of receptacles <NUM>, but also enable the tapering of receptacles toward the terminal ends of fasteners <NUM>.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses any one of examples <NUM> to <NUM>, above, aircraft fuel tank <NUM> comprises ignition-suppressing device <NUM>, wall <NUM>, and fasteners <NUM>, extending inside aircraft fuel tank <NUM> from wall <NUM>. Each of fasteners <NUM> is received by a respective one of receptacles <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>.

Referring generally to <FIG> and particularly to, e.g., <FIG> for illustrative purposes only and not by way of limitation, the following portion of this paragraph delineates example <NUM> of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example <NUM>, which encompasses example <NUM>, above, method <NUM> of installing, in aircraft fuel tank <NUM>, ignition-suppressing device <NUM> comprises (block <NUM>) positioning each of fasteners <NUM>, extending inside aircraft fuel tank <NUM> from wall <NUM> of aircraft fuel tank <NUM>, within a respective one of receptacles <NUM> of ignition-suppressing device <NUM>. Method <NUM> further comprises (block <NUM>) coupling ignition-suppressing device <NUM> to wall <NUM>.

Examples of the subject matter, disclosed herein may be described in the context of aircraft manufacturing and service method <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and aircraft <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. During pre-production, illustrative method <NUM> may include specification and design (block <NUM>) of aircraft <NUM> and material procurement (block <NUM>). During production, component and subassembly manufacturing (block <NUM>) and system integration (block <NUM>) of aircraft <NUM> may take place. Thereafter, aircraft <NUM> may go through certification and delivery (block <NUM>) to be placed in service (block <NUM>). While in service, aircraft <NUM> may be scheduled for routine maintenance and service (block <NUM>). Routine maintenance and service may include modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, etc. of one or more systems of aircraft <NUM>.

Each of the processes of illustrative method <NUM> may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer). For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include, without limitation, any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third party may include, without limitation, any number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and so on.

As shown in <FIG>, aircraft <NUM> produced by illustrative method <NUM> may include airframe <NUM> with a plurality of high-level systems <NUM> and interior <NUM>. Examples of high-level systems <NUM> include one or more of propulsion system <NUM>, electrical system <NUM>, hydraulic system <NUM>, and environmental system <NUM>. Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles disclosed herein may be applied to other industries, such as the automotive industry. Accordingly, in addition to aircraft fuel tanks <NUM>, the principles disclosed herein may apply to fuel tanks of other vehicles, e.g., land vehicles, marine vehicles, space vehicles, etc..

Apparatus(es) and method(s) shown or described herein may be employed during any one or more of the stages of the manufacturing and service method <NUM>. For example, components or subassemblies corresponding to component and subassembly manufacturing (block <NUM>) may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components or subassemblies produced while aircraft <NUM> is in service (block <NUM>). Also, one or more examples of the apparatus(es), method(s), or combination thereof may be utilized during production stages <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost of aircraft <NUM>. Similarly, one or more examples of the apparatus or method realizations, or a combination thereof, may be utilized, for example and without limitation, while aircraft <NUM> is in service (block <NUM>) and/or during maintenance and service (block <NUM>).

Many modifications of examples, set forth herein, will come to mind of one skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings, presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings.

Claim 1:
An ignition-suppressing device (<NUM>) for shielding fasteners (<NUM>) in an aircraft fuel tank (<NUM>) comprising a wall (<NUM>), the ignition-suppressing device (<NUM>) being configured to be installed over the fasteners (<NUM>) within the aircraft fuel tank (<NUM>) and to be coupled to the wall (<NUM>), the ignition-suppressing device (<NUM>) comprising:
a ribbon (<NUM>); and
receptacles (<NUM>), spaced apart from one another along the ribbon (<NUM>), with the fasteners (<NUM>) extending inside the aircraft fuel tank (<NUM>) from the wall (<NUM>) within respective ones of the receptacles (<NUM>) for suppression of ignition events.