Physical Systems, Inc.

Jerry W Shorter

Charles G Hutter, Iii

The heater assembly includes a case having a heating element therein, a channel extending through the case and having a size and shape for selectively receiving therethrough a first end of an elastomeric fixture outstretched through a substrate to a first length having a first width, and a heat transfer surface positioned relative to the heating element for receiving generated heat therefrom. The heat transfer surface is generally positionable relative to the substrate to cooperate with an adhesively bondable attachment coupled to a second end of the elastomeric fixture opposite the first end and including an uncured bonding agent disposed thereon. The heater assembly and attachment simultaneously sandwich the substrate in compression engagement in between when the elastomeric fixture extends through the substrate into the central channel and relaxes to a second relatively shorter length having a second relatively larger width.

Heater assembly for accelerating attachment curing

The self fixturing heater includes an outer casing having a central channel therein for selectively receiving and retaining in friction-fit relation an elastomeric fixture from a nutplate fastener assembly that axially aligns the self fixturing heater with a nutplate fastener assembly. The outer casing encloses a heater element generally disposed circumferentially around the central channel and includes a thermal insulated cover to direct heat energy toward a heat transfer surface that includes a thermally conductive pressure pad in engagement with a substrate underneath a baseplate of a nutplate having an adhesive bonding agent thereon, the heat transfer surface imparting heat energy to the adhesive bonding agent thereby curing the adhesive in four hours or less.

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Wellington, NV, United States of America

Jerry W Shorter