Airfoil Construction Patents (Class 244/123.1)
  • Patent number: 8720822
    Abstract: A wing load alleviation structure for use on an aircraft, comprising a front spar, wherein the front spar includes a plurality of alternating rigid spar structures and inflatable spar structures; and a rear spar, wherein the rear spar includes a plurality of alternating rigid spar structures and pivot joints, such that when a load is applied to the front and rear spars, deflection of each of the front and rear spars continues at a first rate until a critical load is reached, and then as the loading increases, deflection of each of the front and rear spars continues at a second rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Vaneck, Robert Parks
  • Patent number: 8720823
    Abstract: An aircraft structural element situated at an interface between a wing and the fuselage, and including a web and profiled elements flanking the web. At least one the profiled element includes a flat part positioned without overlap in the continuation of a flat part of the web and connected thereto by a welded butt joint using friction stir welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Anne-Laure Lafly, Franck Batalla, Henri Leman
  • Patent number: 8720824
    Abstract: Joining arrangement for the lateral boxes (11, 11?) of a horizontal tail stabilizer with a central tubular box and manufacturing method for said box. The boxes (11, 11?) are joined using an intermediate joining part (31) that comprises a central box (33, 63, 73), upper (35, 35?) and lower (37, 37?) lateral flaps, fitting plates (A) for the trimming device and fitting plates (B) for the pivoting device, the join being made with rivets between the skins (15, 15?; 17, 17?) of the lateral boxes (11, 11?) and said flaps (35; 35?; 37; 37?). The method for manufacturing the intermediate joining part (31) comprises steps to: a) Provide preforms suitable for forming said part (31); b) Form and cure the part (31) made from said preforms using an RTM method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: Loreto Martinez Fernández, Antonio De Julián Aguado
  • Patent number: 8714485
    Abstract: A structure may comprise a skin member and a hat stringer. The hat stringer may include a base portion and first and second webs extending outwardly from the base portion. Each one of the first and second webs may be comprised of a wrap laminate having wrap plies and a cover laminate having cover plies. The first and second webs may be interconnected by a cap. The hat stringer and skin member may be co-cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald P. Matheson, Kenneth L. Brook
  • Patent number: 8714476
    Abstract: A wing includes a spar, and a pair of flexible skins that are attached to the spar. The spar is at the leading edge of the wing, and the skins extend toward the trailing edge of the wing. The wing deploys from a stowed condition, in which the skins are curved in the same direction around a fuselage of an aircraft, to a deployed condition, in which the skins provide the wing with an airfoil cross-sectional shape, for example with the skins curve in opposite direction. A lock is used to maintain the skins in the deployed state, with the lock for example located at the trailing edge of the wing. The lock may be a mechanical mechanism that automatically locks the wing in the deployed state, preventing the wing from returning to the stowed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jack W. Reany, Terry M. Sanderson
  • Publication number: 20140117158
    Abstract: An aircraft wing assembly comprising a wing (2) having a wing box structure including an upper wing cover (7) and a lower wing cover (8), and a wing tip device (1) attached to the outboard end of the wing, the wing tip device including an upper cover (9) and a lower cover (10), wherein a gap (g) between opposing edges of the wing tip device lower cover (10) and the lower wing cover (8) is at least 5 mm, and further comprising a seal assembly (20) for aerodynamically sealing the gap (g), wherein the seal assembly (20) includes a bridging component (21) on an interior side of the gap (g), and a seal (22) which fills the gap (g) and is supported by the bridging component (21). Also, an aircraft having the wing assembly, and a method of attaching a wing tip device (1) to the outboard end of a wing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Huw Davies, Nigel McKenna
  • Patent number: 8708279
    Abstract: A composite structural member with fiber reinforcement comprising a plurality of layers oriented relative to a longitudinal direction of said member in directions including 0°, 90° and +/??, the relative proportion of layers in one of these orientations being variable along a transverse direction of said member so as to spatially adjust the rigidity of the member according to a defined distribution of mechanical stresses along this transverse axis. The rigidity of the member is adapted locally to the stress system so as to dissipate the force flux over the entire volume of said member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Denis Soula, Julien Guillemaut
  • Patent number: 8709576
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments concern a curved structural part composed of a composite material with reinforced, continuous fibers whose cross section includes at least two wings, with said fibers extending from one wing to the other, with said structural part having a variation in the width of its section parallel to the local radius of curvature. The structural element that results from assembling the parts in the disclosed embodiments therefore has local widening of the section at the connections between the parts constituting a structural element, such as an aircraft fuselage frame, and widening at the connection with the floor profiles, if such a profile is used to make an aircraft fuselage structure. The disclosed embodiments also concern a process for manufacturing such a part, as well as a device for advantageously implementing such a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Vanessa Kubryk, Nathalie Hellard-Lambic
  • Publication number: 20140103160
    Abstract: A tip fairing of a horizontal airfoil of an aircraft is provided. The tip fairing comprises stiffening elements and a skin covering the stiffening elements. The stiffening elements comprise a central web and two flanges located at the tips of the web, with contact between the skin and the stiffening elements being made through the flanges of the stiffening elements. The tip fairing is manufactured from a composite material, is manufactured from a single part, and the planes defining the webs of any pair of stiffening elements taken in twos form an angle less than about 30°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: José Juan Jareno Diz Lois
  • Patent number: 8695219
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing wings includes a fixture that holds wing panels for drilling and edge trimming by accurate numerically controlled machine tools using original numerical part definition records, utilizing spatial relationships between key features of detail parts or subassemblies as represented by coordination features machined into the parts and subassemblies, thereby making the parts and subassemblies intrinsically determinant of the dimensions and contour of the wing. Spars are attached to the wing panel using the coordination holes to locate the spars accurately on the panel in accordance with the original engineering design, and in-spar ribs are attached to rib posts on the spar using accurately drilled coordination holes in the ends of the rib and in the rib post. The wing contour is determined by the configuration of the spars and ribs rather than by any conventional hard tooling which determines the wing contour in conventional processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Clayton L. Munk, Paul E. Nelson, David E. Strand
  • Patent number: 8684309
    Abstract: An integrated bracket assembly for attachment to a convex outer corner surface of a torsion box of an aerofoil structure, the bracket assembly comprising a bracket strip having a plurality of brackets arranged spaced side by side, and connected by an infill rail integrally formed with the bracket strip, wherein the infill rail has a concave surface for mating with the convex surface of the torsion box. The torsion box may be of a “U-box” construction where a front spar and a rear spar are integrally formed with either an upper or lower torsion box cover to form an omega-shaped unitary component, and the other cover is attached to the omega-shaped component to provide an enclosed volume. The bracket strip may be used for attaching a leading/trailing edge structure of the aerofoil to the torsion box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Eric Wildman
  • Patent number: 8678324
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present airfoil systems comprise an airfoil with a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a skin surface, at least one structural element located within said airfoil, wherein said structural element supports the skin surface having an upper skin portion and a lower skin portion wherein said structural element can change its shape in response to external stimulus during flight operations, and an actuating means for selectively altering the curvature of said structural element which alters the curvature of said upper skin portion and of said lower skin portion to cause nonlinear deflection of said skin surface between an extreme raised position through a neutral position to an extreme lowered position; whereby the outer surface curvature of said airfoil and said skin surface is smooth and continuous over substantially the entirety thereof at all positions of said skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Douglas Hemmelgarn, Bryan Michael Pelley, Kristin Marie Cable, Brandon Charles Kirby
  • Patent number: 8678315
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strut system for the stabilization of the shell (2) of an aerodynamic aircraft component in a commercial aircraft, comprising a pair of connection supports (4a, 4b) connected on the inside to the shell (2) and opposing each other, between which connection supports (4a, 4b) several struts (5) extend to form a latticework structure (3), which struts (5) in nodal points (6a, 6b) arranged on the ends are non-detachably connected to the connection supports (4a, 4b), wherein the area extension of the latticework structure (3) is aligned in such a manner relative to a middle plane of symmetry (11) that the struts (5), formed with an open symmetrical cross section, as well as the cross section of the connection supports (4a, 4b), are arranged so as to be symmetrical to the aforesaid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Airbus SAS, Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Tomschke, Pasquale Basso
  • Patent number: 8672269
    Abstract: A vent stringer 20 is formed by a pair of ribs 21 rising in the direction perpendicular to an inner surface 11a of a wing panel 11, and a cover 22 provided in the tip end portions of the ribs 21. With rivets 23 unexposed to an outer surface 11b of the wing panel 11, a spark is prevented from occurring in a fuel tank 30, which is provided in a main wing 10, through the rivet 23 at the time of a lightning strike. Formed by being machined integrally with the wing panel 11, the rib 21 is formed with high accuracy so as to match the curved shape of the wing panel 11. The cover 22 has only to be formed by curving a strap member so as to match the shapes of the wing panel 11 and the ribs 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Motohashi, Yoshifumi Hosokawa, Toshinari Fujii, Toshiyasu Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20140061385
    Abstract: A unitized composite aircraft wing includes upper and lower composite laminate wing skins that have differing stiffnesses and are bonded to a composite grid structure. The grid structure includes grid spars extending in a span-wise direction, and cross beams extending in a chord-wise direction of the wing. The grid spars include caps bonded to the upper and lower wing skins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Eugene Dan-Jumbo
  • Publication number: 20140054420
    Abstract: Awing box of an aircraft with a stiffened shell structure, consisting of fiber reinforced material includes a skin for absorbing shear loads, and several stringers arranged on the inner side of the wing box for absorbing axial loads, in which at least 60% of the mass of the stiffened shell structure is concentrated in the stringers, wherein the stringers provide at least 80% of the axial stiffness of the stiffened shell structure. In the specific case of wing structure, this embodiment allows the use of unbalanced laminates for the skin to induce higher nose-down twist of the wing box without any loss in bending stiffness and so envisaging higher weight saving capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: AIRBUS SAS, AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Pasquale Basso, Bernd Tomschke
  • Publication number: 20140048651
    Abstract: A method of installing fuel system components in an aircraft wing is disclosed. An aircraft wing having a plurality of structural elements such as ribs which are joined together during assembly. The method includes the step of attaching at least some of the fuel system components to at least one of the structural elements prior to joining said structural elements together to assemble a wing. Also disclosed is a structural rib for an aircraft wing, configured to receive one or more fuel system components, and a combined structural rib and fuel system assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard HASKINS
  • Publication number: 20140048652
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a monolithic torsion box inner structure (40) of an aircraft lifting surface comprising the following steps: a) providing a set of laminated preforms of a composite material for forming said torsion box inner structure (40), each laminated preform being configured for constituting a part of one component of the torsion box inner structure (40); b) arranging said laminated preforms in a curing tooling and subjecting the assembly to an autoclave cycle to co-cure said laminated preforms; c) demoulding the curing tooling in a vertical direction. The invention also provides an aircraft lifting surface wherein: the inner structure (40) of each torsion box (13) is manufactured by said method and the upper and lower skins (31, 33) are attached to the torsion box inner structure (40) with mechanical attachment means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L.
    Inventors: Francisco Javier HONORATO RUIZ, Francisco José CRUZ DOMINGUEZ
  • Patent number: 8651419
    Abstract: A composite frame includes a plurality of truss elements covered by a cap. The truss elements are flexibly coupled with each other and with the cap. The frame flexes to conform to a contoured surface to which it is attached. Once attached, the installed frame provides the required rigidity to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Andrew K. Glynn, Steve Georgiadis, David Andrew Pook
  • Patent number: 8646183
    Abstract: A process for forming a fiber reinforced core panel which is able to be contoured includes the following steps. First, slice a sheet of a low density material a plurality of times in a first direction of the sheet on at least one side, where the slices extend through only a portion of the thickness of the sheet, then divide the sheet in the second direction of the sheet into a series of low density strips having at least three faces (major face, a first edge face, a second edge face, and optionally a minor face) where the slices in the sheet form a series of cuts in the major or minor face of the low density strips. Next, arrange the series of low density strips to form a core panel and thread a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major or minor faces of the low density strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Michael Tompkins, Anthony S. Brandon
  • Publication number: 20140023830
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structure, the method comprising: forming a panel assembly by bonding a stack of thickness control plies of composite material to a laminar composite panel, the stack of thickness control plies having a first edge proximate an edge of the laminar composite panel, a second edge opposite the first edge, and a ramp where the thickness of the stack of thickness control plies decreases towards the first or second edge; measuring the thickness of the laminate composite panel or the panel assembly; controlling the number of thickness control plies in accordance with the measured thickness; attaching a first component to the panel assembly, the first component having a surface which engages the laminar composite panel and a ramp which engages the ramp in the stack of thickness control plies; and attaching the laminar composite panel at or near its edge to a further component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Alex ILIOPOULOS, John FLOOD
  • Patent number: 8616499
    Abstract: A wing structure is provided, wherein the wing structure comprises; an upper covering, a lower covering, and a spar, the spar comprising; a spar web, an upper spar cap attached to the upper covering, and a lower spar cap attached to the lower covering, the wing structure also comprising a face spaced apart from the spar web extending between the upper and lower spar caps. The wing structure is arranged to contain fuel in a fuel containment area between the upper and lower coverings on one side of the spar web. The upper and lower spar caps extend from the spar web only on the other side of the spar web to the fuel containment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Michael Tucker, Timothy Sanderson
  • Patent number: 8602355
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft wing panel, for example, a trailing edge upper panel'1 which is joined to the wing skin (20) by means of spigots (19) which project and engage with slots (13). Preferably, the slots are provided in lips (10, 11, 12) which extend from the leading edge (5) of the panel and the spigots (19) are fastened to and extend from the wing skin (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey Peter McBroom
  • Patent number: 8602356
    Abstract: A wing box for an aircraft wing with a framework and a first shell. The framework is connected to the first shell such that a load acting on the first shell can be transferred by the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Maenz
  • Publication number: 20130320142
    Abstract: An airfoil includes at least one precured composite spar having a web and at least one flange integrated with an end of the web. A precured composite skin is attached to the spar by adhesive bonding the skin to the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Paul Stanley Nordman
  • Publication number: 20130320141
    Abstract: A wing assembly for an aircraft comprising a spar, a wing cover and a rib; wherein the spar has a web portion and a flange portion joined by a radius corner; wherein a gap is formed at an interface between the spar, the wing cover and the rib; wherein the assembly further comprises a seal member which substantially covers the gap, and sealant provided between the seal member and the rib and/or the wing cover and/or the spar so as to seal the gap. Also a method for sealing a gap in an aircraft wing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8597770
    Abstract: Composite material part (11) with stringer (31) on ramp, manufactured from a stack of fabrics, which comprises at least one zone (13) with two sectors (17, 19) having a greater thickness than that of the surrounding zones and with the stringer (31) situated on an edge (21) of said zone (13) in which: a) each group of fabrics (27, 27? . . . ; 29, 29?, . . . ) of said sectors (17, 19) has the dimensions to form on said edge (21) a ramp with an acceptable gradient 1/p so that the stringer (31) remains situated on the ramp; b) the stacking of the zone (13) is carried out firstly by placing the fabrics (27, 27?, . . . ) of the first sector (17) and on these the fabrics (29, 29?, . . . ) of the second sector (19) in such a way that in the coinciding section (35) of said edge (21) the gradient of the resulting ramp is 1/(p/2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: Vicente Martínez Valdegrama, José Orencio Granado Macarrilla, Manuel Recio Melero, Antonio Blázquez Ajenjo
  • Publication number: 20130299636
    Abstract: A keel beam connected to a central wing box of an aircraft and ensuring the connection between a front structure and a rear structure of an aircraft is characterized in that it includes, on the one hand, a U-shaped body with a horizontal base and two solid lateral walls, and on the other hand, a cover which has a U shape oriented in the same manner as the body, with a base in the lower portion and curved edges, the ends of which are oriented upward so that each curved edge includes an outer surface flattened against and fixed to the inner surface of the lateral walls in order to define, with the body, a closed section, the cover including openings for accessing the inside of the keel beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S)
    Inventor: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S)
  • Patent number: 8573539
    Abstract: The invention comprises a triform fitting 1, essentially made from non-metallic composite materials including several strengthening cross ribs 4 for joining symmetrical flanges 3 and a longitudinal flange 2. The symmetrical flanges 3 include cross slots 8 for receiving the run-out 16 of the webs 11 of several T-shaped internal stringers 9 that form part of the torsion boxes 6. The feet 10 of the stringers 9 are joined along one of their faces to the skins 7 of the torsion boxes 6, while the end zones of the free faces of said feet 10 are placed against the outer face of the symmetrical flanges 3 of the triform fitting 1. This ensures that the symmetrical flanges 3 of the triform fitting 1 remain inside the torsion boxes 6. Alternatively, the fitting 1 may not include the cross slots 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
    Inventor: Francisco Javier Honorato Ruíz
  • Publication number: 20130277499
    Abstract: An airfoil (10) having a main structure (15) including at least one spar (16) and a front structure (20) forming a leading edge (21), said airfoil (10) having an empty space (25) between said main structure (15) and said front structure (20). The airfoil (10) includes a rigid deflector member (30) in said empty space (25), the deflector member being fastened to the main structure (15), said deflector member (30) having a sharp edge (31) facing towards said front structure (20) in order to deflect an external obstacle impacting against said front structure (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventor: EUROCOPTER
  • Patent number: 8549798
    Abstract: A turbulence-creating device is mounted to the roof, such that high winds flowing across the roof are caused to become turbulent, thereby interfering with the laminar flow and lift which would otherwise be created. The turbulence-creating devices comprise generally V-shaped or curved spoilers, many of which are pivotally mounted to a vertical mast attached to the roof such that the spoilers face in the direction of the oncoming wind and are shaped to disturb the laminar flow, thereby preventing lift from being generated. In some embodiments, fixed omnidirectional spoilers with curved sides are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Charles J. VandenBerg
  • Patent number: 8545958
    Abstract: A block including at least one glass ply at least partially covering an outer surface of a core made from composite material. A method for reinforcing a block made from a composite material, including a glass ply placed in a mold, such as to cover the base of the mold; the block is positioned in the mold; the edges of the glass ply are folded such that the glass ply is molded to the outer edge of the block; the mold is closed with a cover; the block housed inside the mold is cured in an oven such as to polymerize the glass ply; and the glass-ply-covered block is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Francois Rouyre, Sebastien Menard, Jacques Roux
  • Publication number: 20130233972
    Abstract: Fiber metal laminate (4) and an aircraft wing (1) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: CONSTELLIUM FRANCE
    Inventors: Christiaan Reyndert Alderliesten, Rinze Benedictus
  • Publication number: 20130228645
    Abstract: A single wing for an unmanned aircraft adapted for image acquisition, surveillance or other applications consists of a ribbed frame and a foam wherein the ribbed frame is integrated during molding for stiffness and strength. The foam has a container for holding the electric and/or electronic components. The foam constitutes the outer layer of the unmanned aircraft at impact side. The wing can be produced at low cost and low complexity in large volumes, increases the impact resistance and safety when used in civil areas, and is removable and disposable thereby enabling reuse of the electric and/or electronic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: GATEWING NV
    Inventors: Maarten Maurits Van Speybroeck, Peter Hendrik Cosyn, Maarten Willem Vandenbroucke
  • Patent number: 8523111
    Abstract: A method of stiffening a rib (19, 20) during the assembly of an aircraft wing is described. A stiffener panel (40, 41) is attached to a face of the rib (19, 20). The rib is aligned with one or more wing components with the stiffener panel (40, 41) attached. An assembly operation such as drilling (16) is performed with the rib aligned and the stiffener panel attached. The stiffener panel (40, 41) is removed from the rib after the assembly operation. The stiffener panel has a resilient external sealing ring which is mounted on a face of the panel and forms an external perimeter of a vacuum cavity; and at least one resilient internal sealing ring which is mounted on the panel (20, 21) within the perimeter defined by the external sealing ring and forms an internal perimeter of the vacuum cavity. The stiffener can be attached to the rib by a vacuum clamping force, the vacuum being sealed by the external and internal sealing rings. The internal sealing ring(s) seal any holes which are present in the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Williams
  • Patent number: 8524022
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structure, the method comprising: forming a panel assembly by bonding a stack of thickness control plies of composite material to a laminar composite panel, the stack of thickness control plies having a first edge proximate an edge of the laminar composite panel, a second edge opposite the first edge, and a ramp where the thickness of the stack of thickness control plies decreases towards the first or second edge; measuring the thickness of the laminate composite panel or the panel assembly; controlling the number of thickness control plies in accordance with the measured thickness; attaching a first component to the panel assembly, the first component having a surface which engages the laminar composite panel and a ramp which engages the ramp in the stack of thickness control plies; and attaching the laminar composite panel at or near its edge to a further component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Alex Iliopoulos, John Flood
  • Patent number: 8517312
    Abstract: A method for connecting a wing. A frame for a wing may be positioned relative to a fuselage of an aircraft. The frame may have bays and comprise a front spar, a rear spar, and a number of spars located between the front and rear spars. A first number of skin panels may be on a first side of the frame, and a second number of skin panels may be on a second side of the frame. The first side may be opposite to the second side. Openings may be in the first and second numbers of skin panels. The openings may be in locations such that each bay has an opening and such that the openings may alternate between the first side and the second side between adjacent bays in the bays. The frame may be attached to the fuselage using the openings to access an interior of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Joseph H. Campana
  • Patent number: 8507042
    Abstract: Systems and methods for discontinuously applying an insulating primer to a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) component are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for mitigating electrical surface discharges from a CFRP component includes first applying an insulating primer to a metallic component. Next, an insulating primer is applied discontinuously to the CFRP component adjacent the metallic component. The discontinuous application of the insulating primer forms a primed portions and unprimed portions. The unprimed portions are configured to enable electrostatic dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aaron T. Purdy, Theresa N. Ward, J. Sidney Clements, Michael G. Anderson, Julie K. Bennett, Kevin D. Pate
  • Patent number: 8496206
    Abstract: Structural panels for use in manufacturing aircraft fuselages and other structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a structural panel configured in accordance with the invention includes a skin and at least first and second stiffeners. The first stiffener can have a first flange portion mated to the skin and a first raised portion projecting away from the skin. The second stiffener can have a second flange portion mated to the skin and a second raised portion projecting away from the skin. At least one of the first flange portion of the first stiffener and the second flange portion of the second stiffener can extend toward the other of the first flange portion and the second flange portion to form an at least approximately continuous support surface to which a frame can be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kent E. Johnson, Mark A. Ulvin
  • Patent number: 8469313
    Abstract: Air vehicles and associated aerodynamic structures are provided which include ridged solar panels to both reduce the drag and increase the solar energy harvested by the solar panel. The air vehicle may include an airframe and a solar panel carried by the airframe and defining an exterior surface thereof. The solar panel may include a plurality of ridged structures extending in a lengthwise direction. The ridged structures may be arranged such that a majority of the airflow over the exterior surface flows in the lengthwise direction. The plurality of ridged structures may include a plurality of lengthwise extending projections spaced about by respective valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jian Dong
  • Publication number: 20130146711
    Abstract: A spoiler rib assembly (110) comprises a rib (144) which is attached to a spar (112) on one side and a stiffener (160) on a second side which abuts the upper and lower flanges of the spar in order to react the loads. The invention is applicable to the mounting of any movable control surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8453972
    Abstract: A device for connecting movable parts with structural components of airplanes or other high-speed vehicles, including at least one fitting provided with at least one bearing. In order to provide such a device exhibiting low thermal stresses, a low weight, a high bearing capacity and a producibility as simple as possible, it is provided that the at least one fitting is made of a synthetic material and glued with the movable part. The resin transfer molding (RTM)-method is particularly suitable to produce the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: FACC AF
    Inventors: Wolfgang Billinger, Walter A. Stephan
  • Patent number: 8453964
    Abstract: An aircraft model for testing in a wind tunnel of width W including a fuselage, a truncated wing whose length L1 is less than the length L of a full scaled wing and additional components in the rear of the aircraft as, in particular, a horizontal tail plane, that produces the same downwash that arrives to the additional components as in a full scaled model. The shape of the truncated wing may be designed for having a similar lift distribution to the lift distribution of a full scaled wing along at least the maximum length L2 in the Y-axis of any component in the rear of the aircraft. The invention also relates to a method for designing the truncated wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: Esteban Amo Garrido, Pilar Vela Orge, Angel Pascual Fuertes
  • Patent number: 8444091
    Abstract: Trailing edge (3) of an aircraft stabilizer surface (1), where this surface (1) is manufactured of a composite material and comprises an outer cladding (40) and an inner cladding (41) that are connected by a connecting clip type element (20) on this trailing edge (3), the connecting clip type element (20) comprising at its ends some recesses (23) used for coupling to the inner zone of the upper and lower claddings (40, 41) of the stabilizer surface (1), such that the connecting clip type element (20) is flexible enough to be pinched so that its ends will be housed, by means of these recesses (23), between the outer and inner claddings (40, 41) of the aircraft stabilizer surface (1), whereby the outer zone of the stabilizer surface (1), on its trailing edge (3), is formed by a continuous aerodynamic surface without changes of gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.L.
    Inventors: Alberto Balsa González, Francisco de Paula Burgos Gallego
  • Patent number: 8434719
    Abstract: A leading edge element, a method for manufacturing one, and an aircraft wing and stabilizer furnished with the leading edge element. The leading edge element is an elongate piece that comprises a skin plate and at least one longitudinal stiffener. The shape of the front edge of the skin plate is closed and the tail edge is open. The stiffener is fastened between the inner surfaces of the skin plate. Between the inner surface of the skin plate of the outermost longitudinal stiffener, there is a longitudinal space free of transverse stiffeners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Patria Acostructures Oy
    Inventor: Juha Mäkelä
  • Publication number: 20130105629
    Abstract: A method for connecting a wing. A frame for a wing may be positioned relative to a fuselage of an aircraft. The frame may have bays and comprise a front spar, a rear spar, and a number of spars located between the front and rear spars. A first number of skin panels may be on a first side of the frame, and a second number of skin panels may be on a second side of the frame. The first side may be opposite to the second side. Openings may be in the first and second numbers of skin panels. The openings may be in locations such that each bay has an opening and such that the openings may alternate between the first side and the second side between adjacent bays in the bays. The frame may be attached to the fuselage using the openings to access an interior of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: The Boeing Company
  • Publication number: 20130099063
    Abstract: An aircraft wing has a plurality of wing segments mounted on a wing spar by joints that allow relative movement between the spar and the wing segments. Tuning of coefficients of thermal expansion is employed to reduce induced stresses from changes in temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Erik Grip, Blaine Knight Rawdon
  • Publication number: 20130099058
    Abstract: An aircraft wing cover (10) comprising an integrally stiffened sandwich panel including first and second skins (11, 12) sandwiching a core layer (13), wherein at least one of the skins has a plurality of spanwise extending integral regions of increased thickness (18) accommodated by corresponding regions (19) of decreased thickness in the core. Also, a method of fabricating an aircraft wing cover, and a method of designing an aircraft wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher Payne, Peter Griggs, Antony C. Peacock, Raymond Bullock, Glenn Watson
  • Patent number: 8424805
    Abstract: An airfoil structure including a plurality of molded monolithic members that extend in a side-by-side manner along the spanwise direction of the airfoil structure. Each molded monolithic member is realized from continuous material that is molded to form a corrugated portion with top and bottom flange portions extending from the corrugated portion. As a result of the molding operation, the corrugated portion is integrally formed with and structurally joined to the top and bottom flange portions. The top flange portions of the side-by-side arrangement of molded monolithic members define a portion of the top surface of the airfoil structure. The bottom flange portions of the side-by-side arrangement of molded monolithic members define a portion of the bottom surface of the airfoil section. The corrugated portions of the side-by-side arrangement of monolithic members define internal support structures (preferably closed-cell cores) extending along the spanwise direction of the airfoil structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Donald Smith
  • Patent number: RE44313
    Abstract: Slotted cruise airfoil technology allows production of a substantially unswept wing that achieves the same cruise speed as today's conventional jet airplanes with higher sweep. This technology allows the wing boundary layer to negotiate a strong recovery gradient closer to the wing trailing edge. The result is about a cruise speed of Mach=0.78, but with a straight wing. It also means that for the same lift, the super velocities over the top of the wing can be lower. With very low sweep and this type of cruise pressure distribution, natural laminar flow will be obtained. In addition, heat is transferred from the leading edge of the wing and of the main flap to increase the extent of the natural laminar flow. The slotted cruise wing airfoil allows modularization of the wing and the body for a family of airplanes. The unsweeping of the wing significantly changes the manufacturing processes, reduces manufacturing costs and flow time from detail part fabrication to airplane delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Kelley-Wickemeyer, Peter Z. Anast, James Douglas McLean, Hilda Seidel