Abstract: A latch mechanism for locking an aircraft folding wing is disclosed including at least one lug having an aperture and a latch pin moveable within the aperture between a latched configuration in which the latch pin is received in the aperture, and an unlatched configuration in which the latch pin is withdrawn from the aperture. At least part of one of the pin and the aperture has a hydrophobic coating. A hydrophobic coating may be applied to all apertures in the mechanism and/or to the latch pin. The provision of a hydrophobic coating helps to prevent the formation of moisture and hence ice on the latch pin and/or in the aperture, which ice can inhibit the pin from moving along the aperture into and out of its latching position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a proximity switch. The proximity switch includes an oscillating circuit. The oscillating circuit is configured to detect an object to be sensed. The oscillating circuit has a resonant frequency, and the resonant frequency is in a range of from 0.8 MHz to 20 MHz. The present disclosure further provides a method for detecting an object to be sensed.

Abstract: A hinge assembly 8a for an aircraft component comprises first and second hinge plates 9, 10, each hinge plate including a plurality of fingers 13 to 17. The fingers of the first and second hinge plates are interleaved. A seal assembly 28 to 32 is provided between at least some of the fingers. The provision of a hinge including interposed fingers allows for a hinge assembly having a complex aerodynamic profile to be made, while the sealing function is performed by the seals filling the gaps between the fingers.

Abstract: A hinge assembly 8a for an aircraft component including first and second hinge plates 9, 10, having an aerodynamic surface. A first seal assembly 28 to 32 is provided and arranged to seal between the aerodynamic surfaces of the hinge plates. A second seal assembly 38 to 42 is arranged to seal between the undersides of the hinge plates in order to reduce pressure leakage between voids under the hinge. The provision of two seal assemblies, each having a dedicated function, addresses the competing demands made on the sealing arrangement of an aircraft hinge assembly in use.

Abstract: An assembly-ready joint for an aircraft assembly is disclosed. The joint includes a first joint part having a spigot. The joint also has a second joint part with a housing. A floating socket is in an interior of the housing. The second joint part receives the spigot in the floating socket. The joint is arranged to receive a curable medium, such as curable resin, in the interior to contract between the housing and the floating socket.

Abstract: A hinge assembly 8a for an aircraft component including first and second hinge plates 9, 10, having an aerodynamic surface. A first seal assembly 28 to 32 is provided and arranged to seal between the aerodynamic surfaces of the hinge plates. A second seal assembly 38 to 42 is arranged to seal between the undersides of the hinge plates in order to reduce pressure leakage between voids under the hinge. The provision of two seal assemblies, each having a dedicated function, addresses the competing demands made on the sealing arrangement of an aircraft hinge assembly in use.

Abstract: A hinge assembly 8a for an aircraft component comprises first and second hinge plates 9, 10, each hinge plate including a plurality of fingers 13 to 17. The fingers of the first and second hinge plates are interleaved. A seal assembly 28 to 32 is provided between at least some of the fingers. The provision of a hinge including interposed fingers allows for a hinge assembly having a complex aerodynamic profile to be made, while the sealing function is performed by the seals filling the gaps between the fingers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a proximity switch. The proximity switch includes an oscillating circuit. The oscillating circuit is configured to detect an object to be sensed. The oscillating circuit has a resonant frequency, and the resonant frequency is in a range of from 0.8 MHz to 20 MHz. The present disclosure further provides a method for detecting an object to be sensed.

Abstract: An assembly-ready joint for an aircraft assembly is disclosed. The joint includes a first joint part having a spigot. The joint also has a second joint part with a housing. A floating socket is in an interior of the housing. The second joint part receives the spigot in the floating socket. The joint is arranged to receive a curable medium, such as curable resin, in the interior to contract between the housing and the floating socket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure having a panel, a stringer and a rib. The stringer has a stringer flange that is joined to an inner surface of the panel and a stringer web that extends away from the stringer flange. The rib has a rib web and a rib foot. The rib foot has a rib foot flange that is joined to the stringer web, first and second rib foot base parts that are joined to the inner surface of the panel or to the stringer flange and a rib foot web that is joined to the rib web. The rib foot is formed as a single folded piece such that the rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a first folded corner, the first rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot flange by a second folded corner and the second rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot web by a third folded corner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rib foot having a blade formed by first and second blade parts that are connected by a bite. The rib foot has a first base part that is connected to the first blade part by a first corner and a second base part that is connected to the second blade part by a second corner. The rib foot also has a first flange that is connected to and extends away from the first base part and a second flange that is connected to and extends away from the second base part. The blade and base parts are formed from a composite material that includes reinforcement fibers embedded in a matrix. At least some of the reinforcement fibers run continuously from the first base part into the second base part via the first corner, the blade and the second corner.

Abstract: A structure having a panel, a stringer, and a rib is disclosed. The stringer includes a stringer flange that is joined to the panel and a stringer web that extends away from the stringer flange. The rib includes a rib web that has first and second faces and a rib foot that has a first rib foot flange that is joined to the stringer web, a second rib foot flange that is joined to the panel and a rib foot web that is joined to the first face of the rib web. The first rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a first corner that includes at least one layer which runs continuously from the first rib foot flange into the rib foot web via the first corner. The second rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a second corner that includes at least one layer which runs continuously from the second rib foot flange into the rib foot web via the second corner.

Abstract: A method of roll forming a plurality of composite components. The method includes the steps: (a) laying a plurality of blanks onto a carrier strip, each blank including a stack of sheets of uncured composite material contacting a respective contact part of the carrier strip; (b) after step (a), forming the blanks and their respective contact parts of the carrier strip with a desired cross-sectional profile by passing the carrier strip carrying the blanks through a series of sets of rollers, each set of rollers performing an incremental part of a bending operation until the desired cross-sectional profile is obtained; (c) after step (b), separating the blanks along with their respective carrier strips from the rest of the carrier strip; and (d) before or after step (c), curing the blanks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rib foot having a blade formed by first and second blade parts that are connected by a bite. The rib foot has a first base part that is connected to the first blade part by a first corner and a second base part that is connected to the second blade part by a second corner. The rib foot also has a first flange that is connected to and extends away from the first base part and a second flange that is connected to and extends away from the second base part. The blade and base parts are formed from a composite material that includes reinforcement fibres embedded in a matrix. At least some of the reinforcement fibres run continuously from the first base part into the second base part via the first corner, the blade and the second corner.

Abstract: A method of roll forming a plurality of composite components.

Abstract: A structure having a panel, a stringer, and a rib is disclosed. The stringer includes a stringer flange that is joined to the panel and a stringer web that extends away from the stringer flange. The rib includes a rib web that has first and second faces and a rib foot that has a first rib foot flange that is joined to the stringer web, a second rib foot flange that is joined to the panel and a rib foot web that is joined to the first face of the rib web. The first rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a first corner that includes at least one layer which runs continuously from the first rib foot flange into the rib foot web via the first corner. The second rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a second corner that includes at least one layer which runs continuously from the second rib foot flange into the rib foot web via the second corner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure having a panel, a stringer and a rib. The stringer has a stringer flange that is joined to an inner surface of the panel and a stringer web that extends away from the stringer flange. The rib has a rib web and a rib foot. The rib foot has a rib foot flange that is joined to the stringer web, first and second rib foot base parts that are joined to the inner surface of the panel or to the stringer flange and a rib foot web that is joined to the rib web. The rib foot is formed as a single folded piece such that the rib foot flange is connected to the rib foot web by a first folded corner, the first rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot flange by a second folded corner and the second rib foot base part is connected to the rib foot web by a third folded corner.