Abstract: A skin panel configured for attachment to an aircraft structure is constructed of a composite material and has a continuous, smooth outer surface; a continuous, smooth inner surface that is configured for attachment to an aircraft structure; a peripheral edge that extends entirely around the skin panel and has a continuous, smooth surface and a plurality of cavities inside the material of the skin panel. The cavities reduce the weight of the skin panel without significantly detracting from the compression strength and tensile strength of the skin panel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of repairing damage to a fuselage barrel, having a one-piece construction, of an aircraft. The method includes determining at least a first virtual splice line and a second virtual splice line along the fuselage barrel in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fuselage barrel. The method also includes detecting damage in a first section of the fuselage barrel between the first virtual splice line and the second virtual splice line. The method further includes cutting through the fuselage barrel along the first virtual splice line and the second virtual splice line to physically separate the first section from a main section of the fuselage barrel. The method also includes removing the first section from the main section of the fuselage barrel, and splicing a new section to the main section of the fuselage barrel in place of the first section.

Abstract: A method of bonding composite structures includes positioning a second structure at a bonding site on a first structure and coupling a first vacuum bag to the first structure such that the first vacuum bag covers the bonding site. The method also includes applying a vacuum to the first vacuum bag to induce a first mechanical force to the second structure via the first vacuum bag. A second vacuum bag is coupled to the first structure such that second vacuum bag covers the second structure and at least a portion of the first vacuum bag. The method further includes applying a vacuum to the second vacuum bag to induce a second mechanical force to the second structure via the second vacuum bag.

Abstract: Aircraft wings and aircraft including such aircraft wings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an aircraft wing having a first panel; a second panel; ribs coupled between the first and second panels; and stiffeners coupled between the ribs in a spanwise direction and to the first panel, the coupling between the stiffeners and the first panel to deter axial loads from being received by the stiffeners, the stiffeners to increase a compressional stability of the first panel, wherein the coupling between the stiffeners and the first panel are indirect couplings formed via clips, the couplings formed via the clips deter the axial loads from being received by the stiffeners while increasing the compressional stability of the first panel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of repairing damage to a fuselage barrel, having a one-piece construction, of an aircraft. The method includes determining at least a first virtual splice line and a second virtual splice line along the fuselage barrel in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fuselage barrel. The method also includes detecting damage in a first section of the fuselage barrel between the first virtual splice line and the second virtual splice line. The method further includes cutting through the fuselage barrel along the first virtual splice line and the second virtual splice line to physically separate the first section from a main section of the fuselage barrel. The method also includes removing the first section from the main section of the fuselage barrel, and splicing a new section to the main section of the fuselage barrel in place of the first section.

Abstract: Methods systems and apparatuses are disclosed for maintaining and controlling the temperature of a material adjoining a composite material in situ, while the composite material is being heating during a composite material repair.

Abstract: A method of bonding composite structures includes positioning a second structure at a bonding site on a first structure and coupling a first vacuum bag to the first structure such that the first vacuum bag covers the bonding site. The method also includes applying a vacuum to the first vacuum bag to induce a first mechanical force to the second structure via the first vacuum bag. A second vacuum bag is coupled to the first structure such that second vacuum bag covers the second structure and at least a portion of the first vacuum bag. The method further includes applying a vacuum to the second vacuum bag to induce a second mechanical force to the second structure via the second vacuum bag.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for repairing a composite material in situ are disclosed including maintaining and controlling the temperature of a material adjoining a composite material in situ, while the composite material is being heating during a composite material repair, such repair accomplished by positioning a heat source proximate to a first side of the composite material and positioning a thermoelectric device proximate to a structure located proximate to the second of the composite material, and substantially maintaining the temperature of the structure at a temperature that is different than a temperature of the composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of repairing damage to a fuselage barrel, having a one-piece construction, of an aircraft. The method includes determining at least a first virtual splice line and a second virtual splice line along the fuselage barrel in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fuselage barrel. The method also includes detecting damage in a first section of the fuselage barrel between the first virtual splice line and the second virtual splice line. The method further includes cutting through the fuselage barrel along the first virtual splice line and the second virtual splice line to physically separate the first section from a main section of the fuselage barrel. The method also includes removing the first section from the main section of the fuselage barrel, and splicing a new section to the main section of the fuselage barrel in place of the first section.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for analysis of a repair for a structure by identifying component parts of the structure that have common material properties and geometric constraints, and based thereon determining a generic repair component for the component parts that also have the common material properties and the geometric constraints. A set of loads are extracted from a loads model of the undamaged structure and redistributed in a loads redistribution model at a damaged or defective portion of the component part. The set of redistributed loads indicate loading incurred by the generic repair component under an external load. The apparatus then uses the redistributed loads to perform an analysis to determine a margin of safety of the generic repair component and, in instances in which the margin of safety is positive, outputs the material properties and geometric constraints of the generic repair component to a fabrication system for production thereof.

Abstract: A skin panel configured for attachment to an aircraft structure is constructed of a composite material and has a continuous, smooth outer surface; a continuous, smooth inner surface that is configured for attachment to an aircraft structure; a peripheral edge that extends entirely around the skin panel and has a continuous, smooth surface and a plurality of cavities inside the material of the skin panel. The cavities reduce the weight of the skin panel without significantly detracting from the compression strength and tensile strength of the skin panel.

Abstract: Aircraft wings and aircraft including such aircraft wings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an aircraft wing having a first panel; a second panel; ribs coupled between the first and second panels; and stiffeners coupled between the ribs in a spanwise direction and to the first panel, the coupling between the stiffeners and the first panel to deter axial loads from being received by the stiffeners, the stiffeners to increase a compressional stability of the first panel, wherein the coupling between the stiffeners and the first panel are indirect couplings formed via clips, the couplings formed via the clips deter the axial loads from being received by the stiffeners while increasing the compressional stability of the first panel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of repairing damage to a fuselage barrel, having a one-piece construction, of an aircraft. The method includes determining at least a first virtual splice line and a second virtual splice line along the fuselage barrel in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the fuselage barrel. The method also includes detecting damage in a first section of the fuselage barrel between the first virtual splice line and the second virtual splice line. The method further includes cutting through the fuselage barrel along the first virtual splice line and the second virtual splice line to physically separate the first section from a main section of the fuselage barrel. The method also includes removing the first section from the main section of the fuselage barrel, and splicing a new section to the main section of the fuselage barrel in place of the first section.

Abstract: Methods systems and apparatuses are disclosed for maintaining and controlling the temperature of a material adjoining a composite material in situ, while the composite material is being heating during a composite material repair.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for analysis of a repair for a structure by identifying component parts of the structure that have common material properties and geometric constraints, and based thereon determining a generic repair component for the component parts that also have the common material properties and the geometric constraints. A set of loads are extracted from a loads model of the undamaged structure and redistributed in a loads redistribution model at a damaged or defective portion of the component part. The set of redistributed loads indicate loading incurred by the generic repair component under an external load. The apparatus then uses the redistributed loads to perform an analysis to determine a margin of safety of the generic repair component and, in instances in which the margin of safety is positive, outputs the material properties and geometric constraints of the generic repair component to a fabrication system for production thereof.

Abstract: A device is used to plug an opening in a structure having a front side and a back side. The device includes a removable plug body for plugging the opening, and a retainer that is expandable into engagement with the back side of the structure to retain the plug in the opening. Means coupled with the retainer and the plug is provided for expanding the retainer.

Abstract: A randomly damaged area of a one-piece composite component of an aircraft is repaired according to a method herein. The damaged area covers skin and underlying stiffening substructure of the component. The method includes generating a design of a customized composite replacement panel for replacing the damaged area. The design includes replacement skin and underlying co-cured replacement stiffening substructure. The method further includes fabricating the composite replacement panel according to the design.

Abstract: A randomly damaged area of a one-piece composite component of an aircraft is repaired according to a method herein. The damaged area covers skin and underlying stiffening substructure of the component. The method includes generating a design of a customized composite replacement panel for replacing the damaged area. The design includes replacement skin and underlying co-cured replacement stiffening substructure. The method further includes fabricating the composite replacement panel according to the design.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a flap malfunction indicator assembly for notifying an observer making a walk-around inspection of an aircraft of a malfunction of one or more connection points coupling a flap assembly to an aircraft wing includes a support mounted to the flap assembly having a perimeter defining an area, an indicator arm pivoted to the support and movable between a first stowed position in which a major portion of the arm is arranged substantially entirely within the area and a second deployed position in which a major portion of the arm is arranged substantially outside the area, a frangible pin or fastener securing the indicator arm to the support in the first stowed position, a trigger element mounted for rotation about a first pivot, an elongated pull linkage coupling the trigger element with a flap assembly, the pull linkage being supported for movement relative to the first pivot to cause rotation of the trigger element when malfunction of a flap assembly occurs, and a spring assembly at th

Abstract: A device is used to plug an opening in a structure having a front side and a back side. The device includes a removable plug body for plugging the opening, and a retainer that is expandable into engagement with the back side of the structure to retain the plug in the opening. Means coupled with the retainer and the plug is provided for expanding the retainer.