Housing for aircraft mounted components
A traffic collision avoidance system device is provided. The device includes a radome having an antenna contained therein. A chassis is bonded to the radome by a layer of bonding material about the chassis periphery. A housing is provided having a substantially flat bottom portion and a wall extended about a periphery to define a interior portion. A second bonding layer disposed between the housing and the radome within the interior portion to form a seal.
1. A method of producing a device that will be mounted to an exterior of an aircraft comprising:
generating a three-dimensional profile of a radome configured to operably couple with said aircraft;
forming an interior portion of a housing to substantially match said profile, the housing being formed with a planar portion and a wall extending about a periphery of said planar portion, said wall being angled toward a center of the housing to define an undercut portion of said interior portion, said undercut portion being sized and positioned to receive a periphery of the radome;
applying a first bonding material to said interior portion;
inserting said radome into said interior portion; and,
curing said first bonding material.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
ultrasonically inspecting a second bond arranged between a first component and a second component of said radome;
determining a location of a disbonded area;
forming an opening at the location of the disbonded area;
filling the opening and disbonded area with a second bonding material; and,
drying said assembly.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
ultrasonically inspecting said first bonding material; and,
shaping a portion of said first bonding material between a lip of said housing and said second component.
4. A method of producing a device that will be mounted to an exterior of an aircraft comprising:
generating a three-dimensional profile of an assembly;
forming an interior portion of a housing to substantially match said profile;
applying a first bonding material to said interior portion;
inserting said assembly into said interior portion;
curing said first bonding material;
ultrasonically inspecting a second bond arranged between a first component and a second component of said assembly;
drying said assembly;
ultrasonically inspecting said first bonding material;
shaping a portion of said first bonding material between a lip of said housing and said second component; and
wherein said curing of said first bonding material is performed at ambient temperature for a period of seven days.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said drying of said assembly is performed at a pressure of 28-29 inches of mercury.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said three-dimensional profile is generated using a laser scanner.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a first slot and an opposing second slot adjacent an end of said housing.
8. A method of producing a device that will be mounted to an exterior of an aircraft comprising:
generating a three-dimensional profile of a radome configured to operably couple with said aircraft;
forming an interior portion of a housing to substantially match said profile, the housing being formed with a wall extending about a periphery of said interior portion, said wall defining an undercut portion of said interior portion;
applying a first bonding material to said interior portion;
inserting said radome into said interior portion;
curing said first bonding material;
forming a first slot and an opposing second slot adjacent an end of said housing; and
rotating a first portion of said housing from a first position to a second position prior to inserting said radome into said interior portion.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising forming an opening in a flat portion of said housing.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said first slot and said second slot extend from said flat portion through said wall.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising rotating said first portion from said second position to said first position after inserting said radome.
12. The method of claim 4 further comprising forming a first slot and an opposing second slot adjacent an end of said housing.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising rotating a first portion of said housing from a first position to a second position prior to inserting said assembly into said interior portion.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising forming an opening in a flat portion of said housing.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein said first slot and said second slot extend from said flat portion through said wall.
16. The method of claim 13 further comprising rotating said first portion from said second position to said first position after inserting said assembly.