Fastener joint with sealing gasket

Abstract

A joint comprising: a first component having a face and a bore defined by a bore wall; a second component; a fastener joining the first component to the second component, the fastener comprising a head and a shaft protruding from the head; and a polysulphide gasket comprising a ring which is compressed between the head of the fastener and the face of the first component; and a collar between the shaft of the fastener and the bore wall. The gasket comprises a ring of sealing material surrounding a hole for receiving a fastener, the sealing material comprising an at least partially cured polysulphide sealant. The gasket has a region of increased thickness positioned towards the inner periphery of the ring which flows to form the collar.

1 . A joint comprising: a first component having a face and a bore defined by a bore wall; a second component; a fastener joining the first component to the second component, the fastener comprising a head and a shaft protruding from the head; and a polysulphide gasket comprising a ring which is compressed between the head of the fastener and the face of the first component; and a collar between the shaft of the fastener and the bore wall 
   
   
       2 . The joint of  claim 1  wherein the gasket further comprises a reinforcing element. 
   
   
       3 . The joint of  claim 2  wherein the reinforcing element comprises a fabric. 
   
   
       4 . The joint of  claim 1  wherein the bore comprises a tapered opening and the head of the fastener comprises a tapered head which is received in the tapered opening. 
   
   
       5 . The joint of  claim 1  wherein the polysulphide material forming the gasket is loaded with conductive particles. 
   
   
       6 . A gasket for sealing a fastener joint, the gasket comprising a ring of sealing material surrounding a hole for receiving a fastener, the sealing material comprising an at least partially cured polysulphide sealant with a region of increased thickness positioned towards the inner periphery of the ring. 
   
   
       7 . The gasket of  claim 6  wherein the sealing material further comprises a reinforcing element. 
   
   
       8 . The gasket of  claim 7  wherein the ring comprises a matrix-rich region which contains a lower than average density of reinforcement. 
   
   
       9 . The gasket of  claim 8  wherein the matrix-rich region includes an outer surface of the ring. 
   
   
       10 . The gasket of  claim 7  wherein the reinforcing element comprises a fabric. 
   
   
       11 . The gasket of  claim 10  wherein the region of increased thickness extends around the entire circumference of the ring. 
   
   
       12 . The gasket of  claim 6  wherein the region of increase thickness includes a matrix-rich protrusion which contains a lower than average density of reinforcement. 
   
   
       13 . The gasket of  claim 6  wherein the polysulphide sealing material is loaded with conductive particles. 
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing a joint, the method comprising:
 mounting a gasket on a fastener; the fastener comprising a head and a shaft protruding from the head, and the gasket comprising an at least partially cured polysulphide sealing material;   inserting the shaft of the fastener through a first component and at least partially through a second component until the gasket engages the first component; and   compressing the gasket between the head of the fastener and the first component whereby the sealing material flows along the shaft of the fastener and forms a collar between the shaft of the fastener and the first component.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the gasket comprises a region of increased thickness positioned towards the inner periphery of the gasket which flows along the shaft of the fastener. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the region of increased thickness extends around the entire circumference of the gasket. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the gasket further comprises a reinforcing element. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the gasket comprises a matrix-rich region which contains a lower than average density of reinforcement and which flows along the shaft of the fastener. 
   
   
       19 . An aircraft comprising a joint according to  claim 1 .