GB2352989A - Extrusion nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

A nozzle 10 for applying sealant to joints comprises a hollow open ended body 12 defining a chamber 14, an inlet to the chamber 16 and an outlet 18 from the chamber 14. A substantially rectangular resilient wing 20 is disposed adjacent the outlet 18 which, in operation, facilitates the application of material passing through the chamber 16 to the surface to be coated.

Description

2352989 NOZZLE The present invention relates to a nozzle.

There is an industrial requirement to seal joints. Therefore the present invention seeks to provide improvements in sealing joints.

According to the present invention there is provided a nozzle comprising a body defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a resilient member disposed adjacent the outlet providing means for guiding the nozzle to facilitate, in operation, application of material passing through the chamber to a surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the resilient member comprises a wing and is preferably disposed at the outlet of the body, Alternatively a plurality of wings could be attached to the body, which would preferably be disposed at the dispensing end of the body.

Preferably the wing extends to both sides of the nozzle body. Alternatively, in some applications it is preferred that the wing only extends to one side of the nozzle body.

Preferably the wing is substantially rectangular in shape, although it is to be understood that other shapes are possible.

In order that the present invention be more readily understood a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; -2 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the nozzle of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows the nozzle of fig 1 in cross section in use.

Referring to the drawings a nozzle 10 comprises a hollow open ended body 12. The hollow body defines a chamber 14. One end of the body 12 comprises an inlet 16, the other end of the body comprises an outlet 18. A flat resilient wing 20 is disposed at the outlet 18 of the body. The resilient wing 20 is substantially rectangular in shape.

The resilient wing is formed around the outlet of the body 12 so as not to impede the open end of the body.

The inlet of the body is adapted to be compatible with cartridges of sealant.

In use the inlet of the nozzle is secured to a cartridge of sealant. The sealant is pushed from the cartridge and through the nozzle by a plunger.

The cartridge and nozzle may be hand operated, or fixed onto a robotic arm.

The nozzle is moved across a joint as sealant is dispensed. The resilient wing bends to follow the shape of the joint. The resilience in the wing also forces the sealant into the joint. As well as effectively sealing the joint the nozzle shapes the sealant into a concave finish. The resilient wing allows the nozzle to quickly and effectively seal a wide range of joint angles.

A particular application of the present invention is in aircraft manufacture. Joints between wingbox and wingskin are required to be sealed. It is becoming common to manufacture wingboxes and wingskins from carbon fibre. The wing 20 of the nozzle 10 forces the sealant into the joint, but also works the sealant into the carbon fibre wing pieces, thus effectively creating a one piece wing section. This results in improved effectiveness of the seal and a prolonged life of the seal.

When sealing joints inside wingboxes it is usual to use a robotic arm to apply the sealant. A conventional nozzle must be offered to the joint at an angle and then moved along the joint as the sealant is dispensed. This is difficult due to the confined space inside a wingbox, and often the joint must be sealed in sections while the robotic arm is repositioned.

The wing 20 of the present nozzle 10 allows the nozzle to be offered to the joint square on. This allows the nozzle to be moved from end to end of a joint in one motion.

Some sealants, especially those used in the aviation industry, contain Tolerine, which can cause leukemia if brought into contact with humans. As the present invention forces the sealant into the joint and simultaneously shapes the seal there is no need to manually check or finish the seal. Thus there is no need for a human to touch the sealant.

It is to be understood that the above described specific embodiment -4is by way of illustration only and that many modifications and variations are possible.

Claims (10)

-5CLAIMS

1 A nozzle comprising a body defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a resilient member disposed adjacent the outlet providing means for guiding the nozzle to facilitate, in operation, application of material passing through the chamber to a surface.

2. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, in which the resilient member comprises a wing.

3. A nozzle as claimed in claim 2, in which the wing is substantially rectangular in shape.

4. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the resilient member is disposed at the outlet.

5. A nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the resilient member extends to both sides of the body.

6. A nozzle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which the resilient member extends to one side of the body.

7. A nozzle as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, in which a plurality of wings are attached to the body.

8. A nozzle as claimed in claim 7, in which the plurality of wings are disposed at the dispensing end of the body.

9. A nozzle as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a plunger is provided to urge sealant from the nozzle.

10. A nozzle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.