Abstract: A hydraulic joint is disclosed. The hydraulic joint includes a tube, a hydraulic fitting, and a tip seal. The hydraulic fitting may be positioned around the tube. The hydraulic fitting may include a first open end for receiving the tube. The tip seal may be configured to define an opening that allows for the passage of leaks. The tip seal may be positioned on the hydraulic fitting adjacent the open end and forming a mechanical barrier between the fitting and the tube.

Abstract: A bulkhead fitting assembly that includes a tube, a mounting flange attachable to a bulkhead, a thermal shell joining the mounting flange and the tube and having a portion spaced away from the tube forming an air pocket between the tube and the thermal shell, a plurality of mounting studs extending from the mounting flange away from the thermal shell, and a plurality of bushings positioned between the mounting studs and the bulkhead. The plurality of bushings are each shaped to complete a current path from the tube to the plurality of mounting studs, from the plurality of mounting studs to the plurality of bushings, and from the plurality of bushings to the bulkhead. Nuts are threaded on the studs to secure the fitting assembly by sandwiching the bulkhead between the mounting flange and the bushings, which are retained by the nuts.

Abstract: A method of sealing an opening in a bulkhead with a fitting assembly having a tube, a mounting flange, a thermal shell, an adapter, a bushing, and a jam nut may include inserting the tube through the opening; placing the mounting flange against the bulkhead, the mounting flange attached to the thermal shell, the thermal shell attached to the tube, and the mounting flange attached to the adapter so that the adapter extends away from the mounting flange and from the thermal shell through the opening; forming an air pocket by spacing a portion of the thermal shell away from the tube; placing the bushing on the adapter; and tightening the jam nut on the adapter to sandwich the bulkhead between the mounting flange and the bushing to form a seal between the mounting flange and the bushing to seal the opening.

Abstract: A method of making a bulkhead fitting assembly may include joining a tube to a thermal shell of a mounting flange, the mounting flange shaped to be attached to a bulkhead and including an adapter; forming the thermal shell to have a portion spaced away from the tube to form an air pocket between the tube and the thermal shell adjacent the mounting flange; and placing a bushing on the adapter such that the bushing completes a current path from the tube to the adapter, from the adapter to the bushing, and from the bushing to the bulkhead.

Abstract: A rigid coupler for use in electrically isolating an electrically conductive fluid conveyance system is described. The rigid coupler includes a nonconductive liner having a first end configured to couple to a first adjoining section of the fluid conveyance system, and a second end, opposite said first end, configured to couple to a second adjoining section of the fluid conveyance system. A reinforcing structure circumscribes the nonconductive liner and is coupled to a portion of the nonconductive liner extending between the first and second ends of the nonconductive liner. The reinforcing structure includes a multi-axial braided fiber material impregnated with a matrix material. A fiber overwrap is hoop wound about at a least a portion of the reinforcing structure between the first and second ends of the nonconductive liner.

Abstract: A fuel line assembly for an aircraft comprises a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule affixed to an isolation tube, which may be directly affixed to a fuel tube or affixed to an extension tube, which in turn, is affixed to the fuel tube. The ferrule assembly provides electrostatic discharge protection and lightning protection as the isolation tube maintains a separation distance from the ferrule and fuel tube, both of which are made from metal. The isolation tube is made from a dielectric material, but which may have conductive particles added to aid in the dissipation of an electrostatic charge. The electrical resistance through the isolation tube has a lower limit to arrest the flow of the induced lightning current through the assembly. The amount of lightning protection afforded can be configured. The ferrule assembly components may be affixed by using thermo-welding, adhesive, or mechanical pressure.

Abstract: An electrically conductive structural connection employs a pass through or fastener having a first diameter. A fastener hole, with a second diameter larger than the diameter of the pass through, extends through a thickness of a structure and receives the pass through. A bushing having a diameter and a thickness to fit between the first and second diameters extends though and past the thickness of said structure. When the feedthrough is compressively secured to the structure, the bushing expands radially between the first diameter and the second diameter to maintain at least one contact point between the fastener and the structure.

Abstract: A fuel line assembly for an aircraft comprises a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule affixed to an isolation tube, which may be directly affixed to a fuel tube or affixed to an extension tube, which in turn, is affixed to the fuel tube. The ferrule assembly provides electrostatic discharge protection and lightning protection as the isolation tube maintains a separation distance from the ferrule and fuel tube, both of which are made from metal. The isolation tube is made from a dielectric material, but which may have conductive particles added to aid in the dissipation of an electrostatic charge. The electrical resistance through the isolation tube has a lower limit to arrest the flow of the induced lightning current through the assembly. The amount of lightning protection afforded can be configured. The ferrule assembly components may be affixed by using thermo-welding, adhesive, or mechanical pressure.

Abstract: A fuel line assembly for an aircraft comprises a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule affixed to an isolation tube, which may be directly affixed to a fuel tube or affixed to an extension tube, which in turn, is affixed to the fuel tube. The ferrule assembly provides electrostatic discharge protection and lightning protection as the isolation tube maintains a separation distance from the ferrule and fuel tube, both of which are made from metal. The isolation tube is made from a dielectric material, but which may have conductive particles added to aid in the dissipation of an electrostatic charge. The electrical resistance through the isolation tube has a lower limit to arrest the flow of the induced lightning current through the assembly. The amount of lightning protection afforded can be configured. The ferrule assembly components may be affixed by using thermo-welding, adhesive, or mechanical pressure.

Abstract: A bulkhead fitting assembly may include a tube; a mounting flange attachable to a bulkhead; a thermal shell joining the mounting flange and the tube and having a portion spaced away from the tube forming an air pocket between the tube and the thermal shell; a plurality of mounting studs extending from the mounting flange away from the thermal shell; a plurality of bushings positioned between the mounting studs and the bulkhead, the plurality of bushings each shaped to complete a current path from the tube to the plurality of mounting studs, from the plurality of mounting studs to the plurality of bushings, and from the plurality of bushings to the bulkhead; and a plurality of nuts received on the adapter to lock the fitting assembly in place by sandwiching the bulkhead between the mounting flange and the nuts, wherein the nuts are in engagement with the bushings.

Abstract: A method of sealing an opening in a bulkhead with a fitting assembly having a tube, a mounting flange, a thermal shell, an adapter, a bushing, and a jam nut may include inserting the tube through the opening; placing the mounting flange against the bulkhead, the mounting flange attached to the thermal shell, the thermal shell attached to the tube, and the mounting flange attached to the adapter so that the adapter extends away from the mounting flange and from the thermal shell through the opening; forming an air pocket by spacing a portion of the thermal shell away from the tube; placing the bushing on the adapter; and tightening the jam nut on the adapter to sandwich the bulkhead between the mounting flange and the bushing to form a seal between the mounting flange and the bushing to seal the opening.

Abstract: A method of making a bulkhead fitting assembly may include joining a tube to a thermal shell of a mounting flange, the mounting flange shaped to be attached to a bulkhead and including an adapter; forming the thermal shell to have a portion spaced away from the tube to form an air pocket between the tube and the thermal shell adjacent the mounting flange; and placing a bushing on the adapter such that the bushing completes a current path from the tube to the adapter, from the adapter to the bushing, and from the bushing to the bulkhead.

Abstract: A method for directing electrical current to prevent sparking from the interaction between a composite structure and lightning or static electrical charge, the method including the steps of forming a hole in a composite structure; and positioning a bushing into the hole to create an interference fit between the bushing and the composite structure, wherein the bushing is formed of a material that has a coefficient of thermal expansion close to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite structure and the bushing provides an electrical path between a fastener disposed in the bushing and the composite structure.

Abstract: A bulkhead fitting assembly may include a tube, a mounting flange, and a thermal shell joining the mounting flange and the tube; the thermal shell may consist of a thin barrier and form an air gap between the tube and the mounting flange.

Abstract: A mounting system for tubular structures within a wing structure provides for positioning of the tubular structure as it passes through wing ribs. The system provides for electrostatic protection from discharges between the rib and the tubular structure, and accommodates offset tubular positioning. A mounting flange is attached to an aperture in the wing rib, and the tubular structure is inserted through an aperture in the mounting flange. Once the tubular structure is positioned, a cushion mount comprising two pieces is inserted into the flange structure, holding the tubular structure in position in the mounting flange. The cushion mount may have a concentric aperture or an offset aperture to accommodate an offset positioned tubular structure in the wind rib aperture.

Abstract: An axially swaged fitting for use in permanently coupling tubes together. The swaged fitting may be useful in coupling metal hydraulic lines to one another in an airplane. According to one embodiment, the swaged fitting includes a sleeve with a hard metal surface and a swaging ring with a soft metal surface, such that during the swaging process the soft metal surface of the swaging ring is deformed.

Abstract: A method for sealing an interface to attenuate high energy currents and voltages traveling thereacross may include forming a cover defining an inner volume shaped to enclose the interface; forming a filled sealant including a semi-rigid sealant mixed with a filler having a multiplicity of discrete particles of different composition than the semi-rigid sealant; placing the filled sealant within the inner volume; and placing the cover containing the filled sealant over the interface such that the filled sealant is adjacent the interface.

Abstract: A rigid coupler for use in electrically isolating an electrically conductive fluid conveyance system is described. The rigid coupler includes a nonconductive liner having a first end configured to couple to a first adjoining section of the fluid conveyance system, and a second end, opposite said first end, configured to couple to a second adjoining section of the fluid conveyance system. A reinforcing structure circumscribes the nonconductive liner and is coupled to a portion of the nonconductive liner extending between the first and second ends of the nonconductive liner. The reinforcing structure includes a multi-axial braided fiber material impregnated with a matrix material. A fiber overwrap is hoop wound about at a least a portion of the reinforcing structure between the first and second ends of the nonconductive liner.

Abstract: A hydraulic joint is disclosed. The hydraulic joint includes a tube, a hydraulic fitting, and a tip seal. The hydraulic fitting may be positioned around the tube. The hydraulic fitting may include a first open end for receiving the tube. The tip seal may be configured to define an opening that allows for the passage of leaks. The tip seal may be positioned on the hydraulic fitting adjacent the open end and forming a mechanical barrier between the fitting and the tube.

Abstract: A rigid coupler for use in electrically isolating an electrically conductive fluid conveyance system is described. The rigid coupler includes a nonconductive liner having a first end configured to couple to a first adjoining section of the fluid conveyance system, and a second end, opposite said first end, configured to couple to a second adjoining section of the fluid conveyance system. A reinforcing structure circumscribes the nonconductive liner and is coupled to a portion of the nonconductive liner extending between the first and second ends of the nonconductive liner. The reinforcing structure includes a multi-axial braided fiber material impregnated with a matrix material. A fiber overwrap is hoop wound about at a least a portion of the reinforcing structure between the first and second ends of the nonconductive liner.