Abstract: A shock control fairing for mounting a junction between adjoining aircraft surfaces. The fairing has a cross-sectional profile which varies along the length of the fairing. The cross-sectional profile of the fairing has a maximum area at a location which, when mounted to an aircraft, is substantially proximal to a location on the surface of the aircraft at which a shock would be expected to develop without the fairing.

Abstract: A decompression panel for use in an aircraft assembly is provided. The decompression panel includes a body portion including a top edge and a bottom edge, and a front surface and a rear surface opposing the front surface. A plurality of openings are formed in the body portion, and a first stiffening member is formed on the rear surface below the plurality of openings. The first stiffening member extends from the rear surface towards the top edge such that the plurality of openings are at least partially obstructed by the first stiffening member.

Abstract: A decompression panel for use in an aircraft assembly is provided. The decompression panel includes a body portion including a top end and a bottom end, and an array of openings formed in the body portion. The openings in the array progressively decrease in size along a height of the body portion from the bottom end towards the top end.

Abstract: A decompression panel includes a body portion having a first end and a second end opposing the first end. The decompression panel also includes a tab extending along the first end and a flange coupled to the body portion. The flange defines a slot adjacent the second end. The decompression panel is secured in an airplane cabin by the tab and slot features, such that unwanted access to areas behind such panels is prevented.

Abstract: A rocket is provided and includes booster stages at a rear of the nose cone, the booster stages being configured for propelling the nose cone in a propulsion direction and a divert control system housed entirely in the nose cone for controlling an orientation of the propulsion direction.

Abstract: An airfoil is fabricated by assembling cured skins with spars having cured spar webs and uncured spar chords. The skins are bonded to the spars by curing the spar chords.

Abstract: Assemblies, methods, and an apparatus for damping vibrational energy induced to a reinforced skin structure are disclosed. The reinforced skin structure includes an outer wall and at least one stringer coupled to the outer wall. The method includes providing a damping apparatus that includes a stiffening member configured to adjust at least one of a bending mode and a torsional twisting mode of the stringer and an energy dissipation member configured to dissipate vibrational energy of the stringer. The stiffening member includes at least two elongated members that are spaced a distance apart and at least one truss member that extends obliquely between the at least two elongated members. The damping apparatus is attached to the at least one stringer. The damping apparatus may be configured to dampen vibration in the range of between about 200-600 Hz.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage comprising a structure, a skin connected to the structure and forming a barrier between the interior and the exterior of the fuselage, an external coating being plated or placed against said skin, wherein the external coating comprises a thermal insulator that covers the fuselage at least in part and has at least one foam insulating layer. The external coating comprises a plurality of juxtaposed panels adhesively bonded to the fuselage and/or secured to the fuselage by mechanical fixings.

Abstract: This invention proposes an insulation blanket for an aircraft, the said blanket coming in the form of a strip of insulation material of elongated shape having two more or less parallel longitudinal edges (12). This blanket comprises: at least one bar (14) extending over one face of the insulation blanket (6), from one longitudinal edge (12) to the other thereof, as well as means for holding (18) the said bar (14), and the bar (14) bears at least one system support intended to receive a system (30, 32).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for a structural joint utilizing overlapping blade stringers coupled to opposing sides of a continuous skin. According to embodiments described herein, a structural joint includes a number of inside blade stringers associated with a first component are coupled to an inside surface of a continuous skin. A number of outside blade stringers associated with a second component may be coupled to an outside surface of the continuous skin. The inside blade stringers and outside blade stringers may overlap on opposing surfaces of the continuous skin.

Abstract: A system and method that allow inspection of hollow structures made of composite material, such as an integrally stiffened wing box of an aircraft. A wing box comprises top and bottom skins connected by a plurality of spaced spars. The system employs a plurality of scanners for inspecting different portions of each spar. The system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to connect an external drive tractor to computer-controlled scanners that carry respective sensors, e.g., linear ultrasonic transducer arrays. A system operator can control the various components by means of a graphical user interface comprising multiple interaction regions that represent the individual scanner motion paths and are associated with respective motion script files.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage structure is disclosed herein and includes an outer skin, with circumferential ribs, such that a recess is provided for receiving a wing torsion box in the outer skin, and the ribs are interrupted in the region of the recess. An object of the disclosure includes providing an aircraft fuselage structure designed such that the wing torsion box is able to extend at least partially through the upper region of the fuselage, without the stability of the fuselage being significantly reduced. This can include providing first longitudinal members which are adjacent to the recess and which extend along the longitudinal edges beyond the entire length thereof. End regions of the first longitudinal members are connected to ribs which extend circumferentially at intervals from the transverse edges of the recess along the outer skin over the vertical longitudinal central plane.

Abstract: Rear fuselage of an aircraft comprising a tail cone end and a rest of the real fuselage whereby the tail cone end is attached to the rest of the rear fuselage by means of an attachment system comprising two upper lugs, two lower lugs and a detachable balancer fitting. The balancer fitting is an adjustable fitting, being locked in a Z and Y directions of a Cartesian axis and being movable along an X direction of the Cartesian axis providing guidance for the tail cone end and the rest of the rear fuselage.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: a fuselage having a first side board and a second side board spaced apart and connected by at least one transverse board; the first side board, the second side board, and the at least one transverse board being printed circuit boards; at least one of the first side board, the second side board, and the at least one transverse board having formed and mounted thereon conductive traces and at least one component, respectively, for controlling and monitoring the unmanned aerial vehicle; first and second wings mounted to the fuselage; and, a tail mounted to the fuselage.

Abstract: A wing-fuselage connection of an aircraft, in which a wing (2) that is arranged in the upper region of the fuselage (1) is connected to the fuselage (1) by means of a number of couplings (3, 4, 5, 6), wherein the couplings (3, 4, 5, 6) are provided for taking up forces in various directions and are designed for a maximum load carrying capacity, in particular for a nominal flight- and landing load (10) or a nominal crash load. According to the invention, the load carrying capacity of the individual wing couplings (3, 4, 5, 6) and their direction of force take-up are matched to each other such that in the case of a defect in one of the couplings (3, 4, 5, 6) the maximum load carrying capacity of the remaining couplings (3, 4, 5, 6) is adequate for safe normal flight operation.

Abstract: A cabin structural segment is provided for an aircraft that includes, but is not limited to a fuselage structure and a floor structure. The fuselage structure defines an interior and separating it from an environment. The fuselage structure includes, but is not limited to an opening for a door. It is possible to provide via the opening a connection between the interior and the environment. The cabin structural segment is designed to be self-supporting. The cabin structural segment is fastenable exclusively to the floor structure. The cabin structural segment is constructed in such a way that the one cabin structural segment frames the opening.

Abstract: A method for the assembly of an aircraft fuselage, to a fuselage manufacturing station and to a construction kit includes providing a pre-assembled cockpit unit, a pre-assembled wing box, a pre-assembled tail unit and a plurality of pre-fabricated fuselage shell segments. Furthermore, the method involves positioning the cockpit unit, the wing box and the tail unit. Moreover, a first front fuselage shell segment is positioned on a front connecting region of the wing box, and a first rear fuselage shell segment is positioned on a rear connecting region of the wing box. The first front fuselage shell segment is joined to a second front fuselage shell segment, and the first rear fuselage shell segment is joined to a second rear fuselage shell segment. As a result of the above, following the assembly of the aircraft fuselage an aircraft fuselage can be provided that already comprises equipment elements or functional elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural element for an aircraft fuselage, generally shaped in the form of a longitudinally elongate section. The element comprises two wings, each wing including: a portion that extends uninterrupted along the entire length of the section, and legs spaced apart from one another and extending from said uninterrupted portion such as to define an opening between two consecutive legs. One of the legs of one wing is arranged to face at least part of the opening defined between two consecutive legs of the other wing. Consequently, the structural element can be produced from a single fibrous preform on a curved tool, minimizing waste material and reducing the weight of said element.

Abstract: A system for attaching a wall panel includes a wall panel and a lock strip. The wall panel has a back and a tab extending from the back. The lock strip is moveably attached to a wall frame member, and has a three-position locking slot, including a receiving portion configured to receive the tab, a locking portion configured to lock the tab with respect to the frame member, and a release portion configured to release the tab. The wall panel is removably attachable to the frame member by inserting the tab into the receiving portion and linearly moving the lock strip to lock the tab in the locking portion. The system can be used for attaching interior sidewall panels in an aircraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for jacking an aircraft structure using beams coupled to seat tracks attached to a floor beam grid structure. Mechanical load distribution plates can have offset lift pin location to allow a certain percentage of the load to be applied to specific seat tracks. Different quantities of seat tracks can be utilized per requirements. Attachment rails that interface with the seat tracks use the same hardware that is used to fasten aircraft seats to the seat tracks. This helps handle the load and prevent damage to the seat tracks. The jacking apparatus also includes load swivels and a hanger link to prevent any side or twisting loads from being applied.

Abstract: A structural element for reinforcing a fuselage cell of an aircraft is provided. The structural element comprises a reinforcement profile which is made in one piece from a metallic material. The profile is provided with a strap at least in regions. As a result of the strap which is made of a fiber-reinforced layer material or fiber metal laminate and is adhesively bonded, at least in regions, to a flange of the reinforcement profile the structural element has high damage tolerance and advantageous fatigue properties. The fiber metal laminate or layer material is made of a plurality of metal layers and fiber-reinforced plastics material layers which are stacked in alternating fashion and adhesively bonded to one another over the entire surface. The reinforcement profile and the strap are joined by means of a joining layer. Said joining layer is preferably constructed from two prepreg layers and a non-fiber-reinforced adhesive layer.

Abstract: A frame of an aircraft fuselage structure made from composite material, which includes a skin and several stringers fixed on the skin. The frame includes a profile elongated in a longitudinal direction which is hollow over at least a portion of its length. The profile is mounted on two legs. Each leg, intended to be fixed on the skin, includes a first portion extending continuously over the whole length of the profile and a second portion extending from this continuous portion so as to form several openings spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the profile, in each of which a stringer passes. The presence of the hollow profile in the frame and the structure of the legs makes it possible to dispense with clips and cleats.

Abstract: A section of aircraft fuselage includes a body structure and a floor connected to the body structure. The body structure has an external skin and a framework including frames, positioned in fuselage cross-sections approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis in an aircraft reference frame. The floor has cross members extending along a lateral axis. The cross members and the frames are disconnected and each cross member, at opposite ends, is fixed to the body structure by an intermediate structural assembly connected on the one hand to the cross member and on the other hand to the external skin and/or to one or more frames.

Abstract: A flight-operable, truly modular aircraft has an aircraft core to which one or more of outer wings members, fuselage, cockpit, leading and trailing edge couplings, and empennage and tail sections can be removably coupled and/or replaced during the operating life span of the aircraft. In preferred embodiments the aircraft core houses the propulsive engines, avionics, at least 80% of the fuel, and all of the landing gear. The aircraft core is preferably constructed with curved forward and aft composite spars, that couple to outer wing sections and possibly other sections using hardpoints. The aircraft core preferably has a large central cavity dimensioned to interchangeably carry an ordnance launcher, a surveillance payload, electronic countermeasures, and other types of cargo. Contemplated aircraft can be quite large, for example having a wing span of at least 80 ft.

Abstract: A method for joining, by adhesive bonding, at least two large joining partners in vehicle construction, in particular in aircraft construction, comprises the following steps: detecting the geometric data of the joining partners in an automated manner, detecting the joint gap dimensions of the joining partners from the geometric data, applying adhesive to one or both joint faces of the two joining partners to be joined as a function of the joint gap dimensions, joining the joining partners in the joining position, and sequentially applying joining pressure to the joint faces along the joint gap to bring the joining partners into the final joining position.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage part (31) located in a section of an aircraft (11) having a propulsion system (13) attached by upstream pylons (17), the fuselage part includes a skin (35); a plurality of frames (37) arranged perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis (33); a single or internally divided upper longitudinal box (41) and a single or internally divided lower longitudinal box (51) which are configured to form with the skin (35) a multi-cell structure, belonging in each cell the external side to the skin (35) and the internal sides to the longitudinal boxes (41, 51); a plurality of lateral beams (61) that are interconnected with the frames (37) to form together with the skin (35) a structural unity. The fuselage components (35, 37, 41, 51, 61) are dimensioned so that the aircraft can withstand the effect of pre-defined failure events keeping a sufficient number of closed cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unitary floor panel (1) for a means of transportation, comprising a self-supporting plate (2) having a smallest dimension, called the thickness, extending along a first direction of the self-supporting plate (2), and two larger dimensions extending along two directions that are orthogonal to each other and orthogonal to the thickness; the self-supporting plate (2) having two opposite sides, called main sides, that extend substantially parallel to the two orthogonal directions; characterized in that the panel comprises at least one beam (5) securely fastened to the self-supporting plate (2) and having an axis of elongation parallel to at least one first main side of the self-supporting plate (2), each beam (5) being designed to increase the flexural strength of the unitary panel (1) along the axis of elongation of the beam (5).

Abstract: An aircraft structure is provided with load-bearing hollow structural elements that form an aircraft fuselage. The cavities in the structural elements are designed as air ducts for an air conditioning system of the aircraft. An aircraft is also provided with such an aircraft structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a luggage storage compartment for an aircraft having high ease of operation. Specifically, the luggage storage compartment comprises a housing and a housing container, with a drive device for moving the housing container between an open position O and a closed position C, with a closure apparatus for locking and unlocking the housing container in the closed position C, and with a control device for controlling the drive device, the control device being designed to actuate the drive device so that said drive device in a relief cycle guides the luggage container first into a relief region R and then into the closed position C, the closure apparatus being lockable or unlockable in a relieved state in the relief cycle.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a wing and a wing box. The wing is joined to the wing box at a side of body joint. The wing and the wing box each includes lower skin and a plurality of stringers on the skin. Ends of at least some of the stringers at the side of body joint have a web cutout and a base that is spanwise tapered to a knife edge at the skin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as both a rigid lay-up tool and a bladder. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. Next, composite material may be applied onto the SMP apparatus and then placed into a rigid external tool and heated to composite cure temperatures at which the SMP apparatus is malleable. A pressure differential may be induced which urges the SMP apparatus to compress the composite material against the rigid external tool. When the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be urged away from the cured composite material and removed from within the composite part.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage structure is disclosed having an outer skin, a support structure arrangement with frame elements, and a floor structure arrangement with floor support struts, the floor structure arrangement connected to the support structure arrangement via connection parts. A connection exists between the floor structure arrangement and the support structure arrangement, with a clamping element on the connection part and a locking element on the connection part. The clamping element includes a longitudinal section having a first and a second end. The first end is pivotally attached to the connection part. The second end includes a transverse section, the locking element including at least one locking groove, and the clamping element pivotable between an engagement position in which the transverse section engages the locking groove, and a released position, in which the transverse section is disengaged therefrom.

Abstract: In order to reduce the time and the cost of manufacturing an aircraft fuselage, the subject matter disclosed herein provide an aircraft fuselage frame element comprising a core provided with at least one through-opening intended for the passing of a fuselage stiffener, and further comprising, associated with each opening, a tab for the fastening of the frame element onto the fuselage stiffener, with the tab being a single piece with the core and connected to the latter by a fold that delimits the opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as a rigid lay-up tool. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. The composite material and/or nested components may be heated and compressed against the SMP apparatus. The SMP apparatus may be configured to remain rigid during the composite cure cycle. Once the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be triggered to a malleable state and urged away from the cured composite material.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage element being a one-piece component, and including a closed wall defining an internal volume, an external surface of the wall forming the external skin of the fuselage. The wall has a cross section that includes on a side facing the internal volume a planar central part, a male connecting element at a first edge, and a female connecting element at its other edge, which connecting elements project, each connecting element configured to engage with the corresponding connecting element of another fuselage element placed side by side with the fuselage element to connect these fuselage elements longitudinally to each other, and one of the connecting elements includes a step forming a frame for the fuselage.

Abstract: A pressure fuselage of an aircraft, which fuselage in longitudinal direction comprises several fuselage sections, wherein at least one rear dome-shaped pressure bulkhead is provided to form an aircraft-internal pressurized region, with a ring-shaped frame element profile being provided for radially outward attachment of said dome-shaped pressure bulkhead to at least one fuselage section, wherein the frame element profile on the side of the dome-shaped pressure bulkhead comprises a U-shaped profile section whose first end-side limb is attached towards the back on the dome-shaped pressure bulkhead by way of connecting means, and whose elongated radially outward extending second limb establishes a connection to the at least one fuselage section in such a manner that it is possible for the connecting means to be installed solely from the aircraft-internal pressurized region.

Abstract: A fuselage having a longitudinal window belt has a composite outer skin including upper and lower composite skin sections. The skin includes at least one window opening located at the window belt. The upper and lower skin sections are joined together by a longitudinal splice joint located at the window belt.

Abstract: An aircraft including: at least one floor cross-member; at least one support carrying the cross-member; and at least one bearing including at least one flexible material and connecting the cross-member to the support.

Abstract: A panel assembly that includes a first panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a second panel having an inner surface and an outer surface. The second panel includes a plurality of rib members formed therein that extend inwardly. The rib members include an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of panel portions are defined between the plurality of rib members. The panel portions include an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the rib members are secured to the inner surface of the first panel, and the inner surface of the panel portions is spaced apart from the inner surface of the first panel to define at least first and second cavities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deploying an aircraft. An inflation system is activated to generate a gas. A fuselage of the aircraft is inflated with the gas. The fuselage comprises a frame for the aircraft and a number of flexible layers associated with the frame in which the number of flexible layers are configured to define a volume for at least a portion of the aircraft when the number of flexible layers are in an inflated configuration.

Abstract: Anisotropic pressure panels are disclosed. The pressure panels include at least two distinct regions, with one region yielding to lateral deformation more than at least one other region. The regions each independently may include a plurality of beads, such beads optionally integrally formed in the body of the pressure panel. In aerospace applications, the pressure panel may be coupled to load-bearing structures, such as wings, and may at least partially define a wheel well.

Abstract: A pressure bulkhead of an aircraft with a fuselage shell and a pressure bulkhead disposed therein preferably in the rear region for forming a fuselage-internal pressure region, which pressure bulkhead is attached on the edge in the interior of the fuselage shell, wherein the pressure bulkhead has a lenticular cross-section and a sandwich construction that comprises a foam core sandwiched between two opposing exterior shells.

Abstract: A monument complex is provided for a rear area of a passenger cabin. The rear contour of the monument complex is adapted to the contour of the bulkhead so that an additional wash basin can be installed without there being any loss of space in the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A component for building a fuselage section of an aircraft includes a border area connectable to a corresponding further border area of a further component so as to form an electrically conductive joint, wherein the component includes a composite structure.

Abstract: A main landing gear bay 15 which is formed inward of a fuselage 11 of an aircraft 10 from an opening portion provided in a surface of the fuselage 11 so as to store a main landing gear 13 of the aircraft 10, the main landing gear bay 15 including inclined regions 16 and 17 that are continuous from a rim of the opening portion to the fuselage 11 surface in an airframe axis direction X of the aircraft 10, wherein the inclined regions 16 and 17 are formed so as to have a larger depth toward the rim of the opening portion. Since the inclined regions 16 and 17 are formed so as to have a larger depth toward the rim of the opening portion, the aerodynamic drag acting on the main landing gear bay can be reduced. Accordingly, the fuel consumption of the aircraft can be improved.

Abstract: An aircraft fuselage member and a frame are linked by a clip and a spacer. An assembly includes an aircraft fuselage member, having a skin and stringers linked to the skin, a reinforcing frame, and a clip rigidly linking the fuselage member and the frame. The clip is rigidly linked to the skin via a spacer, independent from the stringers, interposed between the fuselage member and the clip. An aircraft fuselage part includes several assemblies so defined. The cost of a fuselage is thereby reduced by standardization of the clips and/or reduction of the maximum width of the stringers.

Abstract: A method for stiffening a skin field of an aircraft fuselage includes providing a skin field for an aircraft fuselage, manufacturing an integral lattice-shaped stiffening structure including a plurality of longitudinal stiffeners and connecting the stiffening structure to the skin field. The manufacturing can include the use of a tool mold having a plurality of longitudinal recesses configured to form longitudinal stiffeners and a plurality of sunken areas disposed between the longitudinal recess. The sunken areas are configured for forming respective mounts that are configured for connection to circumferential stiffeners.

Abstract: A thermoplastic matrix airframe structure section includes a multitude of thermoplastic matrix frame members and a multitude of thermoplastic matrix beam members which form a substructure, which receives a thermoplastic matrix inner cap grid structure, a thermoplastic matrix outer cap grid structure, and a thermoplastic matrix skin which are in-situ co-bonded to the substructure to significantly strengthen and unify the substructure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft comprising: a drainage system for condensation water formed in the aircraft between an upper zone thereof where the condensation water is formed and a lower zone where it is collected, a thermal insulation blanket (16) having two opposite faces, a first face (16a) of which is arranged facing the fuselage. The drainage system includes a drainage duct (18, 24) which extends into the upper zone along the second opposite face (16b) of the insulation blanket and which is connected to a pass-through device (30; 40) for the blanket placed beneath the upper zone. In this way, the drained condensation water passes through the blanket through the pass-through device and then is drained to the lower zone, between the first face of the blanket and the fuselage.

Abstract: A device for interior covering of an aircraft cabin, intended to be fastened to a structure of an aircraft and to extend along a skin of the aircraft, the device comprising a covering panel. The covering panel bears at least one system, possibly through a system support. It advantageously comprises at least one air circulation pipe fastened to an exterior face of the covering panel, each air pipe having an upstream end equipped with a connection device.