US 12,304,153 B1
Bonded nutplate rapid cure system with fixtured heater
Jason P. Rice, Dayton, OH (US); and Michael J. Hood, Springboro, OH (US)
Assigned to Kineticure, LLC, Miamisburg, OH (US)
Filed by Kineticure, LLC, Miamisburg, OH (US)
Filed on Aug. 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/456,108.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/373,939, filed on Aug. 30, 2022.
Int. Cl. B29C 65/78 (2006.01); B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B29C 65/46 (2006.01); B29C 65/48 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 65/7811 (2013.01) [B29C 65/46 (2013.01); B29C 65/4835 (2013.01); B29C 66/742 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
13. A method of positioning and bonding a nutplate to a substrate comprising at least one aperture, the method comprising:
coupling a nutplate with a nutplate retention fixture, the nutplate retention fixture comprising a threaded insert and an elastomeric tube engaged with the threaded insert, wherein
the threaded insert is operable to engage the nutplate at one end and extend through one aperture of the substrate, and
the elastomeric tube is configured to anchor the nutplate retention fixture at the aperture and secure the nutplate in contact with the substrate;
applying adhesive onto a bonding surface of the nutplate;
inserting the nutplate retention fixture through the aperture until a surface of the substrate contacts the bonding surface having adhesive applied thereon;
positioning a heater assembly concentrically around the nutplate retention fixture in a position operable to deliver heat to the bonding surface of the nutplate, wherein the heater assembly comprises:
a heating element,
a temperature sensor operable to measure the temperature of the heating element, and
a heater housing, the heater housing comprising a hollow interior to encase the heating element;
securing a heater retention fixture to the nutplate retention fixture to maintain the heater assembly in contact with the substrate, wherein the heater retention fixture comprises:
a cam-lock clamp provided concentrically around the nutplate retention fixture at a position distal the substrate relative to the heater assembly and configured to provide a circumferential clamping force to secure the heater retention fixture to the nutplate retention fixture; and
adhering the nutplate to the substrate by applying heat through the heater assembly.