Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing a viscous fluid using an apparatus that may include: a housing; an applicator coupling on the housing that can releasably couple an applicator that contains a viscous fluid; a gas supply coupling that receives a pressurized gas from a gas supply; a valve having a first open position in which the valve can be gradually and controllably opened to adjustably control the delivery of pressurized gas to the applicator coupling, and a second closed position where the pressurized gas delivered to the applicator coupling is vented; and a valve actuator configured to permit a user to gradually and controllably open the valve to controllably dispense the viscous fluid from the applicator, where ceasing to depress the valve actuator vents the applicator coupling and immediately discontinues the dispensing of viscous fluid from the applicator.

Abstract: A system for controlling an environment within a fuel tank is provided. The system includes a conduit with a plurality of vents, wherein the conduit defines a path through the fuel tank, and wherein the conduit is configured to direct a flow of air along the path and out the plurality of vents.

Abstract: A liquid sealant applicator system that may include a liquid sealant applicator having a coupling to reversibly connect to a source of liquid sealant, a sidewall extending from the coupling and defining a sealant flow path, a flow restrictor that restricts the sealant flow path to an annular pattern of apertures in the flow restrictor, a porous matrix that fills at least a portion of the sealant flow path downstream of the flow restrictor, a matrix retainer configured to retain the porous matrix within the sealant flow path, and a fastener socket connected to the sidewall and having a distal end configured to be placed over and at least substantially enclose the head of a preselected fastener. The applicator is configured to provide a uniform application of sealant from the source of the liquid sealant to the head of the fastener enclosed by the fastener socket.

Abstract: A method of making a preformed seal includes coupling first and second sections of a mold to define a mold cavity. A cross-sectional shape of the mold cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the preformed seal. The method also includes providing a reservoir that has a port in flow communication with a reservoir cavity that extends to a parting surface. The method further includes filling the reservoir cavity with wet sealant such that the wet sealant is flush with the parting surface and a bead of wet sealant protrudes from the port. Additionally, the method includes coupling the reservoir to the first and second sections such that the reservoir cavity is in flow communication with the mold cavity at the parting surface, injecting wet sealant from a nozzle through the reservoir into the mold cavity, and curing the wet sealant in the mold cavity to make the preformed seal.

Abstract: A system for controlling an environment within a fuel tank is provided. The system includes a conduit with a plurality of vents, wherein the conduit defines a path through the fuel tank, and wherein the conduit is configured to direct a flow of air along the path and out the plurality of vents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing a viscous fluid using an apparatus that may include: a housing; an applicator coupling on the housing that can releasably couple an applicator that contains a viscous fluid; a gas supply coupling that receives a pressurized gas from a gas supply; a valve having a first open position in which the valve can be gradually and controllably opened to adjustably control the delivery of pressurized gas to the applicator coupling, and a second closed position where the pressurized gas delivered to the applicator coupling is vented; and a valve actuator configured to permit a user to gradually and controllably open the valve to controllably dispense the viscous fluid from the applicator, where ceasing to depress the valve actuator vents the applicator coupling and immediately discontinues the dispensing of viscous fluid from the applicator.

Abstract: A system for controlling an environment within a fuel tank is provided. The system includes a conduit with a plurality of vents, wherein the conduit defines a path through the fuel tank, and wherein the conduit is configured to direct a flow of air along the path and out the plurality of vents.

Abstract: A liquid sealant applicator system that may include a liquid sealant applicator having a coupling to reversibly connect to a source of liquid sealant, a sidewall extending from the coupling and defining a sealant flow path, a flow restrictor that restricts the sealant flow path to an annular pattern of apertures in the flow restrictor, a porous matrix that fills at least a portion of the sealant flow path downstream of the flow restrictor, a matrix retainer configured to retain the porous matrix within the sealant flow path, and a fastener socket connected to the sidewall and having a distal end configured to be placed over and at least substantially enclose the head of a preselected fastener. The applicator is configured to provide a uniform application of sealant from the source of the liquid sealant to the head of the fastener enclosed by the fastener socket.

Abstract: A method of making a preformed seal includes coupling first and second sections of a mold to define a mold cavity. A cross-sectional shape of the mold cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the preformed seal. The method also includes providing a reservoir that has a port in flow communication with a reservoir cavity that extends to a parting surface. The method further includes filling the reservoir cavity with wet sealant such that the wet sealant is flush with the parting surface and a bead of wet sealant protrudes from the port. Additionally, the method includes coupling the reservoir to the first and second sections such that the reservoir cavity is in flow communication with the mold cavity at the parting surface, injecting wet sealant from a nozzle through the reservoir into the mold cavity, and curing the wet sealant in the mold cavity to make the preformed seal.

Abstract: A method of making a preformed seal includes coupling first and second sections of a mold to define a mold cavity. A cross-sectional shape of the mold cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the preformed seal. The method also includes providing a reservoir that has a port in flow communication with a reservoir cavity that extends to a parting surface. The method further includes filling the reservoir cavity with wet sealant such that the wet sealant is flush with the parting surface and a bead of wet sealant protrudes from the port. Additionally, the method includes coupling the reservoir to the first and second sections such that the reservoir cavity is in flow communication with the mold cavity at the parting surface, injecting wet sealant from a nozzle through the reservoir into the mold cavity, and curing the wet sealant in the mold cavity to make the preformed seal.

Abstract: A system for controlling an environment within a fuel tank is provided. The system includes a conduit with a plurality of vents, wherein the conduit defines a path through the fuel tank, and wherein the conduit is configured to direct a flow of air along the path and out the plurality of vents.

Abstract: A method of making a preformed seal includes coupling first and second sections of a mold to define a mold cavity. A cross-sectional shape of the mold cavity corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the preformed seal. The method also includes providing a reservoir that has a port in flow communication with a reservoir cavity that extends to a parting surface. The method further includes filling the reservoir cavity with wet sealant such that the wet sealant is flush with the parting surface and a bead of wet sealant protrudes from the port. Additionally, the method includes coupling the reservoir to the first and second sections such that the reservoir cavity is in flow communication with the mold cavity at the parting surface, injecting wet sealant from a nozzle through the reservoir into the mold cavity, and curing the wet sealant in the mold cavity to make the preformed seal.