Abstract: A method for simulating the behavior of a bonded joint of two composite material parts with an adhesive material layer. The method includes the steps of a) providing a Finite Element Model with all the relevant information for analyzing the structural joint; b) providing a calculation model for calculating the deformations of the adhesive material layer when it is subjected to tensile/peel and shear stresses, including a plastic behavior of the adhesive of a linear type under tension/peeling and of a non-linear type under shearing; and c) simulating the behavior of the bonded joint by applying the calculation model to obtain the failure indices of each failure mode. A system which is useful as an aid in the design of the structural joint using a computer-implemented Finite Element Model of the structural joint.

Abstract: A method of generating a mesh of an object (11) that moves through a fluid medium which is used in the design or analysis of the object (11) in connection with a hybrid method combining RANS and LES comprising the following steps: a) creating an inner “C” topology (21) around the object (11) for a boundary layer description; b) creating an outer “C” topology (23) covering a space region including the separation region; c) locating the separation region and adapting to it the inner and outer “C's” topologies (21, 23) so that the outer “C” topology (23) is adapted to the size of the separated region and the inner “C” topology (21) is adapted to the size of the boundary layer; d) refining the mesh in the separation region according to the specifications of the RANS/LES method. The invention also provides a system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing composite structures formed by two subcomponents of the same material, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: providing a first subcomponent (13), particularly a skin; providing a tool (15) made of a composite and precured for the manufacture of the second subcomponent (17), particularly a stiffener; positioning said tool (15) on said first subcomponent (13); applying preimpregnated composite (21) on said tool (15) so as to form the second subcomponent (17); consolidating the composite structure by means of a process of curing the assembly resulting from the previous steps under suitable pressure and/or temperature conditions.

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: An aircraft manhole including a skin panel of an aircraft structure, wherein an outer door and an inner door of the aircraft manhole are positioned on the skin panel. The aircraft manhole further includes stringers installed on the skin panel positioned on and attached to the skin, and fixing edges partially projecting through the manhole on the side for positioning the outer door and the inner door. The aircraft manhole also includes reinforcements arranged between the outer door and the inner door of the manhole that are attached to the skin, the reinforcements forming the fixing edges on one of its sides, and a cavity arranged in the skin to allow installing the outer door, thus maintaining the aerodynamic surface of the assembly as well as its tightness.

Abstract: A lifting or stabilising component (11) for an aircraft comprising in the area of its trailing edge a rotary control element (13) rotating around an axis (61) with at least one slot (21) between the tip (15) of the component (11) and the control element (13), the edges of which are configured such that the distance therebetween, that is, the dimension of the slot (21), is constant for different angles of deflection of the control element (13), being located between them a seal (23) that assure the aerodynamic continuity of the component (11) when the control element (13) is at rest. In a preferred embodiment, the component (11) is a horizontal tail stabilizer and the control element (13) is a rudder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and tooling for the lining of molds for curved pieces, the process comprising the application of a lining (15) of width A2 on the mold (3) in several successive passes, exerting pressure thereon so that it adapts to the curvature of the piece, and the number of passes being the minimum required so that the width A2 of the tape (15) allows achieving such adaptation, and the tooling comprising a drum (25) for applying the lining (15), a means of attaching its end to the mold (3) at the beginning of each pass, a conical roller (25), to exert pressure on the lining (15) uniformly along its entire width, and means (26, 29) for its movement through side guides (27, 28) arranged on the mold (3) parallel to the curved lines (5, 7) demarcating the piece.

Abstract: A computer-aided method suitable for assisting in the design of an aircraft by providing the values of dimensional variables, dependant of a predefined set of parameters, for the complete aircraft or an aircraft component, comprising the following steps: a) Defining a parametric space grid; b) Obtaining a suitable Reduced Order Model (ROM) model, particularly a Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) model, for calculating said variables for whatever point over the parametric space through an iterative process. Computer Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to calculate said variables for an appropriately selected set of points over the parametric space, which are used to approximate, via ROM and ad hoc interpolation, the variables in any other point over the parametric space. The method minimizes the required number of CFD calculations (to minimize the computational cost, which dramatically depends on this number) for a given level of error.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control surface (3) for an aerodynamic lifting surface (2) of aircraft comprising a main closing rib (9) located at one end of the control surface (3) to which a main torsion bar (8) is joined, the mentioned torsion bar (8) being joined at its other end to a lever system (14) on which at least one actuator (15) acts, such that it is possible to act on the rotation of the mentioned control surface (3) during the flight of the aircraft. The invention also relates to an actuation method for actuating such a control surface (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cover for the access opening in a composite material aircraft structure, characterized in that it comprises the following elements: an outer cover (18) arranged on the outer part of the aircraft skin (28), the carbon fiber layers (14) forming the skin (28) being deformed towards the inner part of the aircraft structure, leaving enough space between the aircraft structure and the outer part of the skin (28) for the seating of the outer cover (18). a composite material plate (15) arranged in the outer part of the skin (28) and surrounding the area for installing the outer cover (18); an inner cover (27) arranged on the inner part of the aircraft skin (28).

Abstract: Aircraft control surface (1), in particular for an aircraft lifting surface (2), that comprises a primary control surface (6) that comprises a hinge axis (10), and a secondary control surface (7) that comprises a hinge axis (11), with the secondary control surface (7) rotating by means of its hinge axis (11) relative to the primary control surface (6), said secondary control surface (7) only partially occupying the span of the primary control surface (6), the length of the secondary control surface (7) along its hinge axis (11) being significantly less than the length of the primary control surface (6) along its hinge axis (10), and moreover the width or chord of said secondary control surface (7) along the direction of its hinge axis (11) narrows significantly towards the tip of the lifting surface (2) according to a law of narrowing designed expressly for adapting the distribution of torsional stiffness along the span of the lifting surface (2) to the distribution of aerodynamic load thereon, whereas the di

Abstract: Aircraft having a lambda-box wing configuration, comprising a fuselage (1), a propulsion system (5), a first pair of swept-back airfoils (2), connected to the top forward portion of the fuselage (1), a second pair of swept-forward airfoils (3), connected to the lower rear portion of the fuselage (1) at a point of the said fuselage (1) aft of the connection of the swept-back airfoils (2), and a third pair of substantially vertical airfoils (4), the tips of the swept-forward airfoils (3) being connected to the lower side of the swept-back airfoils (2) at an intermediate point of the span of the said swept-back airfoils (2), by means of the substantially vertical airfoils (4), the swept-back airfoils (2) having a higher aspect ratio than that of the swept-forward airfoils (3), which makes the swept-back airfoils (2) have a reduced induced drag without penalizing their weight.

Abstract: A computer-aided method suitable for assisting in the design of an aircraft by providing the dimensioning aerodynamic forces and other relevant values comprising the following steps: a) Selecting a set of parameters of the aircraft, being said aerodynamic forces and other relevant values dependant of said parameters; b) Performing flow field CFD RANS computations for a number N1 of different combination of values of said parameters; c) Obtaining said aerodynamic forces and other relevant values for whatever combination of values of said parameters through a reduced-order model, generated by computing the POD modes of the flow variables, expanding the flow variables using said POD modes and obtaining the POD coefficients of said expanded flow variables using a genetic algorithm that minimizes the error associated to the expansion of the Navier-Stokes equations. The invention also refers to a system for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing stiffened structures (11) in composite materials formed by an outer coating (13) and a plurality of stiffeners (15) the cross-section of which has a closed form delimiting an inner opening (23), comprising the following steps: a) Providing a shaping tool (31); b) Providing auxiliary male tools (37) with an inert material inside them coated with membranes suitable for curing c) Providing stiffeners (15) in fresh or cured condition; d) Arranging the stiffeners (15) in the tool (31) and the auxiliary male tools (37) in their inner openings (23); e) Laminating the outer coating (13); f) Curing the stiffened structure (11) with high temperature and pressure; g) Removing the auxiliary male tools (37) after reducing their volume by withdrawing the inert material thereof; h) Separating the cured stiffened structure (11) from the tool (31). The invention also relates to the auxiliary male tools.

Abstract: The invention relates to a configuration of engines (3) for aircraft located in the rear part of the fuselage (2) of said aircraft, the engines (3) being attached in a fixed manner by pylons (5) to the structure of the aircraft, said structure comprising a torsion box (14) which traverses the fuselage (2) and is used to attach the pylons (5), the fuselage (2) comprising an opening (4) allowing the passage of the suspension pylons (5) for the engines (3), said configuration further comprising a pivoting area (8), an actuator (7) and a fitting (6) through which the actuator (7) is attached to the suspension pylons (5) and to the torsion box (14) of the aircraft, such that the assembly formed by the actuator (7) and the fitting (6) allow balancing the pylon (5) and engine (3) assembly of the aircraft through the pivoting area (8), thus achieving controllable and optimal thrust vectoring of the aircraft for each flight phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing panels (9) for aeronautical structures with U-shaped stiffening members (13) and I-shaped stiffening members (17) between their webs comprising the following steps: providing laminates for shaping the skin (11) on the curing tool (31); providing planar laminates (23) for shaping the stiffening members (13, 17); shaping the U-shaped stiffening members (13) on individual shaping tools (33) and placing the I-shaped stiffening elements (17) in said tools; grouping said individual shaping tools (33) together on an assembly tool (41); placing the group of stiffening members (13, 17) on the skin (11); placing a vacuum bag (55) on the assembly with the aid of profiles (59); consolidating said assembly by means of a curing process under suitable pressure and temperature conditions using external tools (60) to assure verticality of the webs of the stiffening members (13, 17).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making swaged lighting holes (1) in planar areas of parts (5) made of preimpregnated composite, by means of which the part (5) is arranged between a female tooling (11) with the final shape of the bottom side of the swaged part and a caul plate (19) with the final shape of the top side of the swaged part, except in an area (3) which must be swaged, pressure P1 is applied on the caul plate (19) in the area of the part (5) that must be maintained substantially planar, and pressure P2 is applied by means of a male tooling (17) on the area (3) of the part (5) which must be swaged at a forward speed allowing the flow of the resin during the slippage of the fibers of the material so that it may deform, adapting to the final shape of the female tooling (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated device (1) for the protection against electrical discharges of conductive fixing elements (2) between one another or of a fixing element and another conductive element of aircraft, comprising a cap (3) and an o-ring gasket (4) made of non-conductive insulating material, the mentioned integrated device (1) comprising a modified fixing element (2) working together with the cap (3) and the o-ring gasket (4), the fixing element (2) surrounding the cap (3) and the o-ring gasket (4) in a non-conductive manner, thus preventing the possibility of electrical discharges such that in the device (1) the number of necessary components is minimized, the impact in weight for the aircraft being minimum, the modified fixing element (2) further comprising a thread (5) on the outer face of the area that has to be protected.

Abstract: An aircraft tail assembly planform comprising curvilinear leading edges (21) and trailing edges (22), with an aircraft tail assembly configuration in which the hinge line (13) is rectilinear and has a non-constant percentage with respect to the chord (50) in each section (51), being the front (11) and rear (12) spars rectilinear with a non-constant percentage with respect to the chord (50) in each section (51), or being these spars (11, 12) curvilinear with a constant or non-constant percentage with respect to the chord (50) in each section (51).

Abstract: Non-destructive method for detecting zones with non-conductive materials, such as materials that include glass fibers, in a part made of a conductive composite, such as a composite whose reinforcing fibers are carbon fibers, provided with an organic coating, that includes the following stages: a) providing a device for applying an electric potential on the surface of said part; b) determining the dielectric breakdown potential Pr corresponding to the thickness E of the coating; c) applying said dielectric breakdown potential Pr with said device to the part for the purpose of identifying those zones that have non-conductive materials when dielectric breakdown does not occur in them.