Bushings, apparatuses including bushings, and associated methods

摘要

Bushings include a tubular body that defines a through-bore for receiving a fastener for mounting a component to an object. The tubular body includes end regions and a plurality of spring elements spaced circumferentially around the tubular body and extending longitudinally along the tubular body between the end regions. Also disclosed are apparatus that include bushings, such as aircraft, and associated methods of utilizing bushings and of manufacturing bushings.

主权项

1. An aircraft assembly, comprising:
an aircraft fuel tank constructed of fiber reinforced composite material, wherein the aircraft fuel tank includes a wall that defines a mounting hole; a hydraulic line capable of carrying electrical charges, wherein the hydraulic line extends through the wall of the aircraft fuel tank; a mounting structure for mounting the hydraulic line through the wall of the aircraft fuel tank; a bushing positioned in the mounting hole, wherein the bushing comprises:
a tubular body that defines a through-bore, wherein the tubular body is constructed of electrically conductive material that has a conductivity of at least 1×106 Siemens per meter, and wherein the tubular body includes:
end regions, wherein each end region extends for less than 30% of an overall length of the bushing; anda plurality of spring elements spaced circumferentially around the tubular body and extending longitudinally along the tubular body between the end regions, wherein the spring elements are defined by strips that are contiguous with the end regions and that are not contiguous with circumferentially adjacent portions of the tubular body, and wherein the plurality of spring elements includes a subset of radially inwardly extending spring elements and a subset of radially outwardly extending spring elements, and wherein the radially inwardly extending spring elements and the radially outwardly extending spring elements alternate circumferentially around the tubular body; and a fastener extending through the through-bore of the bushing, wherein the fastener longitudinally compresses the bushing so that the subset of radially inwardly extending spring elements impart inward radial pressure on the fastener and so that the subset of radially outwardly extending spring elements impart outward radial pressure on the wall of the aircraft fuel tank; wherein the bushing provides an electric current flow path between the aircraft fuel tank and the hydraulic line to prevent sparking between the fastener and the aircraft fuel tank during a lightning strike on an aircraft associated with the aircraft assembly.