Installation tool for use with u-shaped component

Abstract

An installation tool includes a block and a plate. The block is configured to align the installation tool with a U-shaped component. The plate extends from the block and is configured to hold a flexible component, such that the flexible component is accurately located within the U-shaped component.

1 . An installation tool comprising:
 a block to align the installation tool with a U-shaped component; and   a plate extending from the block configured to hold a flexible component such that the flexible component is accurately located within the U-shaped component.   
   
   
       2 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lip extending from a surface of the block to align the installation tool with the U-shaped component.   
   
   
       3 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the block has a slit for receiving the plate and coupling thereto. 
   
   
       4 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one insert having a body and an edge, the body configured for insertion into the flexible component, the edge extending beyond the flexible component and configured for attachment to the support plate.   
   
   
       5 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the plate has a base and an arm, the base removably coupled to the block, the arm extending perpendicularly from an end of the base and configured to carry the flexible component into the U-shaped component for installation. 
   
   
       6 . The installation tool of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a side arm extending perpendicularly from the arm, the side arm configured to support the flexible component.   
   
   
       7 . The installation tool of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an indicator located on the side arm, the indicator configured for horizontally aligning the flexible component in the U-shaped component.   
   
   
       8 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the block is approximately rectangular. 
   
   
       9 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , wherein the support plate is aluminum. 
   
   
       10 . The installation tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cradle for holding the U-shaped component during use of the installation tool.   
   
   
       11 . The installation tool of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the flexible component is a flex circuit;   wherein the U-shaped component is a fan inlet shroud fairing;   wherein the block has a lip extending from a surface and around the block to align the installation tool with the fan inlet shroud fairing; and   wherein the plate has a base, an arm, a side arm, and an indicator, the base removably coupled to a slit in the block, the arm extending perpendicularly from an end of the base, the side arm extending perpendicularly from the arm, the indicator located on the side arm and configured for horizontally aligning the flex circuit in the fan inlet shroud fairing.   
   
   
       12 . A method comprising:
 inserting an insert into a flexible component to form a flexible assembly;   attaching the flexible assembly to a plate;   coating the flexible component with an adhesive;   coupling the plate to a block;   positioning the block on top of an open end of a U-shaped component; and   sliding the plate into the U-shaped component, wherein the plate guides the flexible component into a position for installation.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 covering a remainder of the plate with a material; and   removing the material covering the remainder of the plate.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 checking the horizontal alignment of the flexible component with respect to the U-shaped component.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 removing the block from the plate;   disconnecting the insert from the plate;   removing the plate; and   curing the adhesive, to adhere the flexible component to an inner surface of the U-shaped component.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 inserting a mandrel into the U-shaped component after removing the plate.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein curing the adhesive includes at least one of applying pressure and heat to the adhesive. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible component is a flex circuit and the U-shaped component is a fan inlet shroud fairing. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 placing the fan inlet shroud fairing in a cradle before positioning the block on top of the open end of the fan inlet shroud fairing.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 removing the fan inlet shroud fairing from the cradle after the flex circuit is positioned for installation within the fan inlet shroud fairing.