Abstract: Control surface assemblies have a torque tube base. In one embodiment, a method includes moving an aerospace vehicle through a medium; and moving at least a portion of a control surface assembly to generate a force for controlling the vehicle.

Abstract: Control surface assemblies have a torque tube base. In one embodiment, a method includes moving an aerospace vehicle through a medium; and moving at least a portion of a control surface assembly to generate a force for controlling the vehicle.

Abstract: Control surface assemblies having a torque tube base are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a control surface assembly including: providing a control surface portion having a pair of longitudinal surfaces, providing a hollow base portion coupled to the control surface portion, the base portion including an elongated curved wall, and an elongated base plate disposed crosswise to the pair of the longitudinal surfaces having at least one aperture disposed therein, and a plurality of attachment flanges extending laterally outwardly beyond the longitudinal surfaces; coupling the attachment flanges to a supporting structure of a vehicle such that the control surface portion projects outwardly from the supporting structure; moving the vehicle through a medium; and moving at least a portion of the control surface assembly to generate a force on the vehicle.

Abstract: Control surface assemblies having a torque tube base are disclosed. In one embodiment, a control surface assembly includes a control surface portion and a base portion. The base portion has a hollow, shell-like base portion coupled to a first end portion of the control surface portion, and is adapted to be coupled to a supporting structure such that the control surface portion projects outwardly from the supporting structure. In one aspect, the base portion includes an elongated, closed section portion adapted to be coupled to the supporting structure. In a further aspect, the base portion includes an elongated, closed section portion adapted to be coupled to the supporting structure, and a pair of tapered end portions formed at opposing ends of the closed section portion.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a structural panel having a predetermined shape in which an inflatable envelope assembly is formed from at least a pair of superplastically formed and diffusion bonded metallic core sheets. The inflatable envelope assembly can be disposed between first and second metallic face sheets which are generally superplastically formed into the predetermined shape prior to being assembled. Thereafter, the assembled face sheets and the inflatable envelope assembly can be superplastically formed and diffusion bonded to form an integral structure, such as structural panel having a compound curvature. Alternatively, the inflatable envelope assembly can be disposed between a pair of reinforced titanium composite sheets. The reinforced titanium composite sheets can also be joined to adjacent face sheets, such as by welding or diffusion bonding, such that an integral structural panel having the predetermined shape can be readily fabricated.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a structural panel having a predetermined shape features forming an inflatable envelope assembly from at least a pair of superplastically formed and diffusion bonded metallic core sheets. The inflatable envelope assembly can be disposed between first and second metallic face sheets which are generally superplastically formed into the predetermined shape prior to being assembled. Thereafter, the assembled face sheets and the inflatable envelope assembly can be superplastically formed and diffusion bonded to form an integral structure, such as structural panel having a compound curvature. Alternatively, the inflatable envelope assembly can be disposed between a pair of reinforced titanium composite sheets. The reinforced titanium composite sheets can also be joined to adjacent face sheets, such as by welding or diffusion bonding, such that an integral structural panel having the predetermined shape can be readily fabricated.