Abstract: A rib can be manufactured comprising two opposing outer skins and a plurality of internal reinforcement members connecting the skins together.

Abstract: An airfoil structure for an aircraft includes a spanwise-extending load-carrying member, a leading-edge structure, a trailing-edge structure, an upper cover, and a lower cover. The load-carrying member is configured to react more than half of all flight loads experienced by the airfoil structure during flight and is configured to have selected stiffness properties selected such that the airfoil structure bends and twists in a predefined manner in response to applied flight loads. The leading-edge structure is configured to form a leading-edge part of an aerodynamic surface of the airfoil structure. The trailing-edge structure is configured to form a trailing edge part of the aerodynamic surface. The upper cover is configured to form an upper part of the aerodynamic surface. The lower cover is configured to form a lower part of the aerodynamic surface.

Abstract: A compound helicopter with a fuselage and at least one main rotor that is at least adapted for generating lift in operation, the at least one main rotor being arranged in an upper region of the fuselage, wherein at least one propeller is provided that is at least adapted for generating forward and/or backward thrust in operation. The at least one propeller is mounted to a fixed wing arrangement that is laterally attached to the fuselage, the fixed wing arrangement comprising at least one upper wing and at least one lower wing. An upper wing section arrangement is provided in the upper region of the fuselage, the at least one upper wing of the fixed wing arrangement being mounted to the upper wing section arrangement.

Abstract: A wing assembly with at least two ribs is disclosed. Each rib defines a rib plane and has a peripheral edge. A fluid pipe extends through each rib plane and is disposed external to the peripheral edge of each rib. The fluid pipe is coupled to each rib.

Abstract: A panel structure for a vehicle, and especially for an aircraft or spacecraft, includes an area member, especially a skin member, that defines an areal expanse with a first surface and an opposite second surface and having a thickness between the first and second surfaces; and a plurality of elongate stiffener members which are attached to the area member and extend over at least one of the first and second surfaces; wherein at least one of the stiffener members is bifurcated at a bifurcation point into two or more branch stiffener members.

Abstract: A manufacture and process for a winglet formed as a unitary structure by laying up and co-curing three ply-sets in a bifurcated configuration, without metal and fasteners, comprising three continuous surfaces: a first ply-set comprising a first continuous surface forming: an outboard surface of an upper blade; an outboard portion of a root region; and an outboard surface of a lower blade; a second ply-set forming a second continuous surface forming an inboard surface of the upper blade and an upper skin of the root region; and a third ply-set forming a third continuous surface forming an inboard surface of the lower blade and a lower skin of the root region . . . continuous surface. The root region being integral in the bifurcated configuration, matching a shape of an airfoil of a tip of a wing, and comprising two supports that comprise an additional ply-set shaped to receive an attachment system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for manufacturing wind turbine rotor blades and components thereof, e.g. using 3D printing. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a rotor blade structure having a first surface and an opposing, second surface, the first and second surfaces being substantially flat. Another step includes printing a leading edge segment of the rotor blade onto the first surface, wherein heat from the printing bonds the leading edge segment to the first surface. The method also includes rotating the rotor blade structure having the leading edge segment attached thereto. A further step includes printing a trailing edge segment of the rotor blade onto the second surface, wherein heat from the printing bonds the trailing edge segment to the second surface. Another step includes securing one or more fiber-reinforced outer skins to the leading and trailing edge segments so as to complete the rotor blade.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a composite trailing edge control surface including a contiguous one-piece composite control surface skin wrapped around a plurality of stiffening cores, a plurality of hinge fittings, and a plurality of substantially parallel ribs. The contiguous one-piece composite control surface skin provides a control surface on opposing sides of the trailing edge control surface and substantially distributes bending, shear and torsion loads of the trailing edge control surface to the plurality of hinge fittings and the plurality of substantially parallel ribs. A method of manufacturing the trailing edge control surface includes positioning a contiguous one-piece composite control surface skin on a substantially flat tool.

Abstract: An aerodynamic lift structure comprises unbalanced composite skin that couples twist and bending.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a leading edge profile section of an aircraft lifting surface is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a set of laminated preforms of a composite material configured with a suitable shape for constituting the leading edge profile section; b) arranging said laminated preforms in a curing tooling and subjecting the assembly to an autoclave cycle to co-cure said laminated preforms; c) demolding the curing tooling in a spanwise direction towards the aircraft symmetry plane. The invention also comprises a leading edge profile section manufactured by said method comprising in addition to the skin of the leading edge profile section, one or more of the following structural elements: an auxiliary spar, a longitudinal stiffener reinforcing an auxiliary spar, a longitudinal stringer reinforcing the skin of the leading edge profile.

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: There is provided a box structure for carrying load having upper and lower composite integrated sandwich panels. The panels have facesheets sandwiching one or more core portions and adjacent dense packs oriented in an axial direction. The box structure further has a plurality of spars. Each spar has a web and web attachments and has a spar length in the axial direction. The plurality of spars are connected to the panels with the web attachments located at the dense packs. The facesheets are configured to carry primarily torsion and pressure loads in shear and no significant axial loads. The dense packs are configured to carry all significant box bending in axial tension and compression loads.

Abstract: The invention provides a leading edge structure for providing an aerodynamic surface of an aircraft, the leading edge structure comprising a skin structure, the skin structure providing an outer aerodynamic surface and an inner surface, both surfaces extending in a chordwise and spanwise direction of the structure, and a plurality of structural members, each structural member being connected to the inner surface of the skin structure and extending in the chordwise direction along the inner surface, wherein the structural members are integrally formed with the inner surface of the skin structure. The invention also provides an aircraft wing, aircraft tailplane, wing box structure, wing or wing structure and an aircraft including the leading edge structure.

Abstract: Joining arrangement for the lateral boxes (11, 11?) of a horizontal tail stabilizer with a central tubular box and manufacturing method for said box. The boxes (11, 11?) are joined using an intermediate joining part (31) that comprises a central box (33, 63, 73), upper (35, 35?) and lower (37, 37?) lateral flaps, fitting plates (A) for the trimming device and fitting plates (B) for the pivoting device, the join being made with rivets between the skins (15, 15?; 17, 17?) of the lateral boxes (11, 11?) and said flaps (35; 35?; 37; 37?). The method for manufacturing the intermediate joining part (31) comprises steps to: a) Provide preforms suitable for forming said part (31); b) Form and cure the part (31) made from said preforms using an RTM method.

Abstract: An aircraft structure includes a wing spar (10), with orbital frames (24, 24?, 24?) arranged in transverse planes, right and left horizontal spars (26) connected to the wing spar (10) at the upper panel (14) of the spar respectively to the right and to the left of the spar, and for each right or left horizontal spar (26), a triangular panel (50) that includes a wall (60), a first edge arranged at the horizontal spar (26), a second side arranged at the wing spar (10), and a third side at which a first rectilinear oblique reinforcement (62) connecting the horizontal spar (26) and the wing spar (10) is provided, characterized in that the triangular panel (50) includes at least one second rectilinear oblique reinforcement (64) that connects the horizontal spar (26) and the wing spar (10).

Abstract: An aerodynamic lift structure comprises unbalanced composite skin that couples twist and bending.

Abstract: A joint comprising first and second rib components, the first rib having an abutment surface and a plurality of lugs disposed adjacent to the abutment surface; and the second rib having an abutment surface and a plurality of lugs disposed adjacent to the abutment surface, wherein the abutment surfaces of the respective ribs are abutting and joined with a tension joint, and wherein the lugs are pinned to form a pinned lug joint by aligning respective holes in the plurality of lugs such that the lugs of the first and second ribs are interleaved and have one or more pins passing through the aligned lug holes. The joint may be used for attaching a wing tip device to the outboard end of an aircraft wing.

Abstract: A rib bay platform for use in an aircraft rib bay, is adjustable in length (for example it comprises two telescopically mounted sections. The platform comprises a first end configured for mounting on a stringer of the rib bay (for example by an interference fit), and a second end configured for mounting on another stringer of the rib bay (for example on feet mounted on ball-and-socket joints). A method of operating in an aircraft rib bay comprises the steps of providing a rib bay platform of adjustable length; adjusting the length of the platform; mounting the platform between the two stringers; whereby a person may then operate inside the aircraft rib bay while being supported on the platform.

Abstract: A method of joining a wing to an aircraft fuselage by forming a series of pinned lug joints between a fuselage side and a wing side of a wing box structure. The joint forming process includes providing a single row of lugs on one side of the joint to be formed, and providing a respective double row of lugs on the other side of the joint to be formed. A gap between opposing lugs of the double row varies along the row. The wing side and the fuselage side of the wing box structure are brought together such that the lugs of the single row are located within the respective gaps between opposing lugs of the double row, and the lugs are pinned to form the series of pinned lug joints. Also, a joint formed by the method.

Abstract: A flow body includes a flow body base body with a first shell element, a leading flow body edge with a second shell element and a clamping body, and a receiving space partially delimited by the clamping body. The flow body base body includes on a front end a projection, having a shape corresponding to that of the receiving space for engaging into the receiving space. The clamping body is internally arranged on the leading flow body edge spaced apart from a rear end of the second shell element. The rear end of the second shell element is flushly positioned on the first shell element when the projection engages into the receiving space. A smooth and harmonious transition that does not influence a laminar flow around the flow body can be achieved between the two components.

Abstract: The lifting surfaces comprise a torsion box capable of bearing aerodynamic and inertial loads. The torsion box has lateral parts that are connected together by an attachment comprising a rib, having a central upper part and a central support lower part joined only by angled cross bars, forming a truss structure along the length of the central support upper part and the central support lower part. The angled cross bars are attached to the upper and the lower parts of the central support: alternatively to both sides of a plane of symmetry defined by said upper and lower parts of the central support, dividing the torsion box in the two lateral parts making a zone of access perpendicular to the length of the central supports, where said zone of access is closed with a piece provided with at least one hole for permanent access.

Abstract: Rib structure for a torsion box of an aircraft wing or a horizontal stabilizer. The structure comprises a center element which extends between the front spar and the rear spar of the torsion box, a series of vertical stiffening elements arranged between an upper skin and a lower skin of the torsion box. The vertical stiffening element consists of a first lateral wing which extends in the direction of said front spar and a second lateral wing which extends in the direction of said rear spar. These lateral extensions emerge from respective opposite sides of the vertical body and are attached side to side to the center element of the rib.

Abstract: An airfoil comprising: a foam housing having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first end, and a second end; a front spar at least generally extending proximal to and along the leading edge; a rear spar at least generally extending proximal to and along the trailing edge; and a center spar assembly located between the front spar and the rear spar, the center spar assembly including: at least one supporting member extending from the first end toward the second end; a sleeve extending from the first end toward the second end, the sleeve configured to receive a joining member; and an anchor positioned adjacent to the first end, the anchor configured for securing an end of the sleeve and an end of each one of the at least one supporting member at the first end.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly between a front fitting and the traction coupling of the two lateral boxes of the horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft comprising a front fitting (1, 1a and 1b), a front shear plate (2), an upper shear plate (4), a lower shear plate (5) and a “rib post” union piece (3) in such a way that the loads being transferred to the lateral boxes are minimized, and at the same time it allows a proper trimming of the horizontal stabilizer. Moreover, the present invention describes a compact front fitting, made of one piece, as a whole, and in composite material.

Abstract: An aircraft wing box comprises a pair of half ribs (18, 20) joined to form a rib extending from an upper wing skin (12) to a lower wing skin (10). Each half rib (18) comprises a base (19) and a plurality of projections (4) that extend away from the base (19), the projections (4) defining a series of troughs (2a) and peaks (4a). Respective projections of one half rib (18) overlap with respective projections of the other half rib (20) thereby defining overlapping portions (3), the half ribs (18, 20) being joined in the regions of the overlapping portions (3). There may be projections (4) shaped such that the overlapping portion (3b) defined by the two projections is separated from the neutral axis N of the rib (18, 20).

Abstract: A composite skin (11) with swept angle and dihedral for an aircraft mid-box lifting surface having a left side (5), a right side (7) and a central transition area (9) where both sides meet, that is designed and manufactured as a single part from left tip to right tip following a common ply structure for the whole part defined in relation to a single orientation rosette (25). The invention also refers to a composite aircraft mid-box lifting surface including an upper and lower panel with said composite skin (11).

Abstract: A lifting structure for aircraft is essentially applicable to a horizontal stabilizer that includes two side symmetrical boxes that converge at one end (its root) thereof in a shared center area in order to connect integrally in the central area. Both boxes connect by a single part that constitutes a center rib with a double T-shaped profile. The root of the side boxes overlap converging on the inside surfaces of the wings of the center rib. The connection is ensured with rivets (lap joint). The proposed connection simplifies the assembly process (single part) and lead to a weight reduction since a carbon fiber connecting rib can be used.

Abstract: A method for assembling a main wing having an upper skin and plurality of spars is disclosed. The front spar and rear spar are fastened to a back surface of the upper skin using an adhesive agent without using rivets, whereby the front surface of the upper skin becomes smooth.

Abstract: Leading edge structures for high performance aircraft and the direct manufacture thereof are disclosed. Direct manufacturing technology is used to deposit leading edge structures directly from a digital model to form near-net shape products. This technique permits a wider range of materials to be utilized, such as casting alloys capable of the highest temperature usage that are not available in billet or sheet form. Refractory metals or high temperature ceramics also may be used to form the entire lead edge structure, or just a replaceable tip of the leading edge structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated multispar torsion box structure of composite material for aircraft, comprising a lower skin (12), an upper skin (11), several spars (9), each of which comprises in turn a chord (13) and a web (14), several stringers (10) in the lower skin (12) and several stringers (10) in the upper skin (11), characterized in that the mentioned integrated torsion box structure is achieved by means of joining unitary U-shaped structural elements (15), unitary U-shaped structural elements (16) with a flap and unitary C-shaped structural elements (17) with a flap. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an integrated multispar torsion box structure of composite material for aircraft.

Abstract: Fixing system for a modular leading edge (2) to the structure of an aircraft lift plane (1), in which the leading edge (2) has a covering (4) formed from a first lamina (5) and a second lamina (6) between which there is an interior airtight chamber, and the fixing system comprises a main attachment element (3) whose cross-section has a central element (13), a first arm (14) which is fixed to the first lamina (5) of the covering (4) of the leading edge (2), and a second arm (15) which is fixed to the second lamina (6) of the covering (4), and the central element (13) is in turn fixed to a covering (10) of the torsion box (8) of the structure of the lift plane (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stringer for an aircraft wing and a method of reinforcing such a stringer in which the stringer is formed with a substantially lambda shaped section.

Abstract: An aircraft wing box comprises a pair of half ribs (18, 20) joined to form a rib extending from an upper wing skin (12) to a lower wing skin (10). Each half rib (18) comprises a base (19) and a plurality of projections (4) that extend away from the base (19), the projections (4) defining a series of troughs (2a) and peaks (4a). Respective projections of one half rib (18) overlap with respective projections of the other half rib (20) thereby defining overlapping portions (3), the half ribs (18, 20) being joined in the regions of the overlapping portions (3). There may be projections (4) shaped such that the overlapping portion (3b) defined by the two projections is separated from the neutral axis N of the rib (18, 20).

Abstract: Leading edge structures for high performance aircraft and the direct manufacture thereof are disclosed. Direct manufacturing technology is used to deposit leading edge structures directly from a digital model to form near-net shape products. This technique permits a wider range of materials to be utilized, such as casting alloys capable of the highest temperature usage that are not available in billet or sheet form. Refractory metals or high temperature ceramics also may be used to form the entire lead edge structure, or just a replaceable tip of the leading edge structure.

Abstract: A movable trailing edge is composed of a main body including a structural frame member in which a spar and a rib intersect with each other, and a first outer plate that covers the main body. The first outer plate is placed on and cover the structural frame member, a rotating probe is pressed against the first outer plate from the obverse side thereof to friction stir weld the first outer plate and the side end face of the structural frame member. Joint parts are arranged in a dotted pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a center box (5) for an aircraft wing, as well as to an aircraft comprising such a center box (5). The center box (5) essentially comprises two lateral surfaces (6), which in turn essentially comprise two internal and external skins (2, 1) that are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other. In order to provide adequate stability to the lateral surface (6), the internal skin (2) and the external skin (1) are interconnected by way of a multitude of profiles (3).

Abstract: An airfoil box and associated method are provided. The airfoil box includes two or more half-shell structures. Each half-shell structure is an integral or unitary member that includes at least a portion of the outer skin of the airfoil as well as stiffener members and connection members. For example, the half-shell structures can be integrally formed of composite materials. The half-shell structures can be assembled by connecting the connection members with fasteners such as rivets to form the airfoil box.