Abstract: A stiffener 100 comprises a first stiffener portion (102), having a first cross-sectional profile (104) that is constant along the first stiffener portion (102). The stiffener 100 also comprises a second stiffener portion (106), having a second cross-sectional profile (108) that is constant along the second stiffener portion (106). The second cross-sectional profile (108) of the second stiffener portion (106) is different from the first cross-sectional profile (104) of the first stiffener portion (102). The stiffener 100 additionally comprises a transition stiffener portion (110) tapering from the second stiffener portion (106) to the first stiffener portion (102).

Abstract: A stiffener 100 comprises a first stiffener portion (102), having a first cross-sectional profile (104) that is constant along the first stiffener portion (102). The stiffener 100 also comprises a second stiffener portion (106), having a second cross-sectional profile (108) that is constant along the second stiffener portion (106). The second cross-sectional profile (108) of the second stiffener portion (106) is different from the first cross-sectional profile (104) of the first stiffener portion (102). The stiffener 100 additionally comprises a transition stiffener portion (110) tapering from the second stiffener portion (106) to the first stiffener portion (102).

Abstract: A stiffener 100 comprises a first stiffener portion (102), having a first cross-sectional profile (104) that is constant along the first stiffener portion (102). The stiffener 100 also comprises a second stiffener portion (106), having a second cross-sectional profile (108) that is constant along the second stiffener portion (106). The second cross-sectional profile (108) of the second stiffener portion (106) is different from the first cross-sectional profile (104) of the first stiffener portion (102). The stiffener 100 additionally comprises a transition stiffener portion (110) tapering from the second stiffener portion (106) to the first stiffener portion (102).

Abstract: A method (500) of making charges (160) comprises forming a combined perimeter shape (130) having no circumferentially enclosed openings by geometrically combining primary perimeter shapes (132), corresponding to perimeter shapes of the charges (160), and secondary perimeter shapes (133), such that symmetry axes (138) of the primary perimeter shapes (132) are parallel to each other, lateral edges (134) of the primary perimeter shapes (132), adjacent to each other, are at least partially contiguous, and all boundary edges of the combined perimeter shape (130) are either parallel or perpendicular to the symmetry axes (138) of the primary perimeter shapes (132). The method also comprises contiguously depositing prepreg tows (172) to form prepreg composite plies (126) and laminating the prepreg composite plies (126) together to form a precursor sheet (128) having a precursor combined perimeter shape (174) that circumscribes the combined perimeter shape (130).

Abstract: A method (500) of making charges (160) comprises forming a combined perimeter shape (130) having no circumferentially enclosed openings by geometrically combining primary perimeter shapes (132), corresponding to perimeter shapes of the charges (160), and secondary perimeter shapes (133), such that symmetry axes (138) of the primary perimeter shapes (132) are parallel to each other, lateral edges (134) of the primary perimeter shapes (132), adjacent to each other, are at least partially contiguous, and all boundary edges of the combined perimeter shape (130) are either parallel or perpendicular to the symmetry axes (138) of the primary perimeter shapes (132). The method also comprises contiguously depositing prepreg tows (172) to form prepreg composite plies (126) and laminating the prepreg composite plies (126) together to form a precursor sheet (128) having a precursor combined perimeter shape (174) that circumscribes the combined perimeter shape (130).

Abstract: A stiffener 100 comprises a first stiffener portion (102), having a first cross-sectional profile (104) that is constant along the first stiffener portion (102). The stiffener 100 also comprises a second stiffener portion (106), having a second cross-sectional profile (108) that is constant along the second stiffener portion (106). The second cross-sectional profile (108) of the second stiffener portion (106) is different from the first cross-sectional profile (104) of the first stiffener portion (102). The stiffener 100 additionally comprises a transition stiffener portion (110) tapering from the second stiffener portion (106) to the first stiffener portion (102).