Abstract: Embodiments for aircraft keel beam assembly. One embodiment is a keel beam assembly of an aircraft. The keel beam assembly includes a keel attach chord to connect to a wing center section of the aircraft, the keel attach chord extending in a longitudinal direction between a rear spar and front spar of the aircraft. The keel beam assembly also includes a lower chord disposed underneath the keel attach chord and extending in the longitudinal direction between an aft wheel well bulkhead and a forward bulkhead of the aircraft. The keel beam assembly further includes a forward web to couple the keel attach chord and the lower chord, the forward web including a front edge extending in a diagonal direction from the keel attach chord that is downward and aft toward the lower chord to create an open area forward from the front edge.

Abstract: An airfoil body is provided for an aircraft which includes a first skin, a second skin, a plurality of first stiffeners and a plurality of second stiffeners. The first stiffeners are configured from or otherwise include first stiffener composite material. The first stiffeners extends widthwise between and are connected to the first skin and the second skin. Each of the first stiffeners has a first stiffener longitudinal centerline that extends spanwise along the first skin and the second skin. The second stiffeners are configured from or otherwise include second stiffener composite material. The second stiffeners extend widthwise between and are connected to the first skin and the second skin. Each of the second stiffeners has a second stiffener longitudinal centerline that extends lengthwise along the first skin and the second skin.

Abstract: A wingtip device to attach to a wing of an aircraft includes an aerofoil portion and a connection spar arranged to be received in a connection spar receiving portion of the wing of an aircraft. The spar includes a first through hole in a first portion of the connection spar and a second through hole in a second rearward portion of the connection spar, the second portion being rearward of the first portion with respect to a direction of flight. The first and second through holes are arranged to receive a retaining pin that is to be inserted through both the first and second through holes.

Abstract: A winglet for attachment to a wing portion of an aircraft is disclosed having a winglet tip and a winglet root opposite from the winglet tip. The winglet has an opening for receiving therethrough a connector for connecting the winglet to a wing portion in use. The winglet has a retainer internal of the winglet for use in retaining the connector relative to the winglet. The retainer has a hole that extends along an axis that passes through the opening for receiving therethrough a portion of the connector when the connector is located through the opening. The retainer includes a body for reacting against a retention component with which the connector engages in use.

Abstract: A protective case for large objects including a lock housing formed from a first section and a second section, both of the sections including at least one external subsection and at least one internal subsection configured to telescope inside the external subsection; and an extension lock comprising a lock housing and a compression lock, the lock housing including a screw-threaded channel, and the compression comprising at least one screw-threaded shaft with a compressive component on the interior end and a lock handle on the exterior end, the screw-threaded shaft configured to matingly engage with the screw-threaded channel of the lock housing; the compression lock configured to descend in the lock housing and compressingly lock the internal subsection in an extended position upon locking rotation of the compression lock; and the compression lock configure to ascend in the lock housing upon unlocking rotation of the cam latch.

Abstract: A winglet for attachment to a wing portion of an aircraft is disclosed having a winglet tip and a winglet root opposite from the winglet tip. The winglet has an opening for receiving therethrough a connector for connecting the winglet to a wing portion in use. The winglet has a retainer internal of the winglet for use in retaining the connector relative to the winglet. The retainer has a hole that extends along an axis that passes through the opening for receiving therethrough a portion of the connector when the connector is located through the opening. The retainer includes a body for reacting against a retention component with which the connector engages in use.

Abstract: A system may include a fastener strap, a first component, and a second component. The fastener strap may include a strap section, at least one first stiffening rib section, and at least one second stiffening rib section. The first component may include a first strap section channel and at least one first stiffening rib section channel positioned along the first strap section channel. The second component may include a second strap section channel and at least one second stiffening rib section channel positioned along the second strap section channel. When the fastener strap is installed in the first strap section channel, the at least one first stiffening rib section channel, the second strap section channel, and the at least one second stiffening rib section channel, a load-bearing connection may be formed between the first component and the second component.

Abstract: A high expansion bridge plug comprising an elastomer element assembly and a control assembly for generating a compressive force against the elastomer element assembly. The elastomer element assembly comprises a first element stack and a second element stack with the first element stack comprising a first grouping of male and female elements and the second element stack comprising a second grouping of male and female elements. The compressive force generated causes the male element and the female element to expand and the female element to at least partially swallow the male element. The male and female elements can be conical shape, and an angle of a conical element can be between 5-25 degrees, and the length of the top female element is greater than the length of the middle or bottom male element.

Abstract: A folding wing hinge for a wing having a fixed wing portion and a folding wing portion, the folding wing hinge including a hinge pin including a hinge pin spline and having a first longitudinal axis, an input fitting coupled to one of the fixed wing portion and the folding wing portion, the input fitting including an input fitting spline and a second longitudinal axis, and a spline coupling member having a coupling spline configured to couple with the hinge pin spline and the input fitting spline so that the first longitudinal axis moves relative to the second longitudinal axis by a first predetermined amount of movement.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a modular lifting surface from a standard lifting surface, the modular lifting surface includes a central support structure including an upper skin, a lower skin and at least a first spar. The method includes providing the upper skin and the lower skin which are suitable for any of various sizes of a modular lifting surface for the standard lifting surface, wherein the upper skin and lower skin correspond to a standard upper skin and the lower skin conforms to a standard lower skin.

Abstract: In order to allow robust assembly in an aircraft between a structural element and a self-stiffened panel comprising a skin and a stiffening structure formed of a network of ribs extending out from a first face of the skin, the structural element comprises at least one end formed of a first closure rib, the stiffening structure comprises at least one end formed of a second closure rib, and a portion the height of which increases progressively as far as the second closure rib, and the structural element being fixed to the self-stiffened panel via first through-fixing elements which fix the first closure rib to the second closure rib. The structural element comprises a sole exhibiting a second face having an inset delimiting a space which accepts an end part of the skin.

Abstract: In order to allow robust assembly between a structural element and a self-stiffened panel comprising a skin and a stiffening structure formed of a network of ribs extending out from a first face of the skin, the structural element comprises at least one end formed of terminal tabs separated by cut-outs delimited by the terminal tabs and applied to the first face of the skin at an end part of the skin. In addition, the stiffening structure comprises at least one end formed of several terminal ribs extending respectively through the cut-outs. Finally, each of the terminal tabs is fixed to the end part of the skin via through-fixing elements.

Abstract: A propulsion and lift system of a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing having an outboard end, a wing tip assembly having an inboard end, a fixed nacelle coupled to the wing tip assembly and a wing-nacelle splice assembly having inboard and outboard sides. The inboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the outboard end of the wing, and the outboard side of the wing-nacelle splice assembly is coupled to the inboard end of the wing tip assembly, thereby coupling the fixed nacelle to the wing.

Abstract: A configurable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include swappable avionics that may be selectable for use with other UAV components to build a customized UAV just prior to deployment of the UAV that is configured to deliver a package to a destination. Various factors may be involved in the selection of the avionics, such as an availability of different avionics, payload requirements (size, weight, etc.), environmental conditions along an anticipated route of flight, a region of use of the UAV, compatibility, a distance of the flight, power considerations, security considerations, and/or other factors. The avionics may include various hardware and/or software which may provide control output (e.g., data, power, and/or mechanical) to other components and/or systems, including a propulsion system. Coupling devices may selectively couple the avionics to other components of the UAV, such as to a battery, a cargo bay or package, and/or to a propulsion system.

Abstract: A rotational power device including a blade having a core formed by battery material as a power source.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for structurally supporting an aircraft wing. The system comprises a section of aircraft wing that includes skin. The skin surrounds an internal volume of the wing and comprises layers of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) having fiber orientations aligned to bear shear stresses applied to the wing. The section of aircraft wing also includes planked stringers that are laterally oriented within the wing, contact the skin within the internal volume, are attached to the skin, and comprise layers of CFRP having fiber orientations that are aligned to bear bending at the wing. Furthermore, the section includes spars that are positioned between planked stringers on an upper portion of the wing and planked stringers on a lower portion of the wing, wherein the spars are aligned with the planked stringers.

Abstract: An airfoil may include an airfoil body, a cover, and a stud. The cover may be disposed on at least one of a suction side and a pressure side of the airfoil body and the stud may extend through the cover and into the airfoil body and the stud may be is joined to the airfoil body and the cover by a friction weld.

Abstract: A propeller blade includes an inner spar structure surrounding an inner spar foam core. Also included is a leading edge foam structure disposed proximate a leading edge of the inner spar structure. Further included is a trailing edge foam structure disposed proximate a trailing edge of the inner spar structure. Yet further included is an outer spar structure surrounding the inner spar structure, the leading edge foam structure and the trailing edge foam structure. Also included is a blade shell, a leading edge foam core located between the outer spar structure and the blade shell, and a trailing edge foam core located between the outer spar structure and the blade shell.

Abstract: A wing assembly comprises a fixed section, a foldable section, and a hinge assembly for hinging the foldable section to the fixed section. The hinge assembly includes a plurality of interleaved torque boxes that are hinged together.

Abstract: A wing leading edge architecture designed to enable laminar flow on passenger jets or other aircraft. The embodiments disclosed herein comprise a metallic fixed leading edge skin panel that is bonded to internal support structure without fasteners except for limited fastening along side edge portions adjacent to side edge portions of adjacent leading edge skin panels and along an aft edge portion overlapping a wing skin. In addition, the embodiments disclosed herein integrate a low-drag bleed-air anti-icing (i.e., vent) system and a Krueger flap assembly (e.g., a two-position, high-height, variable-camber Krueger flap assembly).

Abstract: A device for protecting a front spar structure of a central casing -of an aircraft wing and at least one item of equipment situated in the wing, comprising: a shielding surface extending in front of the front spar of the central casing, from a surface of an intersection between the wing and the fuselage delimited by the root of the wing, transversely to the surface of intersection, to a first rib of the central casing partially surrounding at least one item of equipment; and means -for fixing the shielding surface to the central casing producing an isostatic link.

Abstract: Cryogenic fuels tanks for use in aircraft structures are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein an airfoil-shaped structure disposed outboard of a fuselage of an aircraft. The example apparatus also includes a first cryogenic fuel tank disposed inside the airfoil-shaped structure.

Abstract: A rotor blade including a main portion having a main portion leading edge shield; a main portion impact-resistant layer formed on a nose of the leading edge shield; a main portion erosion-resistant layer formed on a top and bottom of the main portion, rearward of the main portion impact-resistant layer; a main portion foil formed on the top and the bottom of the main portion rearward of the main portion erosion-resistant layer; a tip cap having a tip cap leading edge shield; a tip cap impact-resistant layer formed on a surface of the tip cap leading edge shield; and a tip cap foil formed on the top and the bottom of the tip cap rearward of the tip cap erosion-resistant layer.

Abstract: An aircraft lifting surface with a main supporting structure comprising upper and lower faces defining its aerodynamic profile, front and rear faces oriented towards, respectively, the leading and trailing edges, a first set of transverse ribs extended from the front face to the rear face and a second set of transverse ribs crossing the front face and/or the rear face. The integration of leading and trailing edge ribs in the main supporting structure allows a weight and cost reduction of aircraft lifting surfaces. A manufacturing method of said main supporting structure is also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A web component suitable for use with a snap-fit assembly is disclosed herein. The web component includes, but is not limited to, a sheet metal member that has a periphery and a first side and a second side. The sheet metal member also includes a plurality of protrusions that extend from a first surface of the first side and from a second surface of the second side. The plurality of protrusions are disposed proximate a portion of the periphery and are configured to engage a female receiver associated with the snap-fit assembly.

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. The first and second webs may be formed 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.

Abstract: A low-heat-transfer coupling or assembly is configured to mechanically couple together a pair of mating parts, one of which may be in a heat-producing environment. By roughening at least part of the surface of one of the parts, the contact area between the mating parts can be reduced, while still maintaining the structural integrity of the connection. The roughening can be a knurling process of all or part of the mating surface on one of the parts. This can produce a series of recesses on the surface that are in contact with the other part. The recesses can be small enough, interspersed with non-etched areas of the contact surface, that structural integrity of the coupling between the parts is still maintained. The coupling may be between a leading edge of an aircraft control surface, such as a missile fin, and a body of the control surface.

Abstract: A collapsible wing, methods of producing the collapsible wing, and an unmanned aircraft system that includes the collapsible wing are provided.

Abstract: A structural element for reinforcing a fuselage cell of an aircraft is provided. The structural element comprises a reinforcement profile which is made in one piece from a metallic material. The profile is provided with a strap at least in regions. As a result of the strap which is made of a fiber-reinforced layer material or fiber metal laminate and is adhesively bonded, at least in regions, to a flange of the reinforcement profile the structural element has high damage tolerance and advantageous fatigue properties. The fiber metal laminate or layer material is made of a plurality of metal layers and fiber-reinforced plastics material layers which are stacked in alternating fashion and adhesively bonded to one another over the entire surface. The reinforcement profile and the strap are joined by means of a joining layer. Said joining layer is preferably constructed from two prepreg layers and a non-fiber-reinforced adhesive layer.

Abstract: An aircraft for unmanned aviation is described. The aircraft includes an airframe, a pair of fins attached to a rear portion of the airframe, a pair of dihedral braces attached to a bottom portion of the airframe, a first thrust-vectoring (“T/V”) module and a second T/V module, and an electronics module. The electronics module provides commands to the two T/V modules. The two T/V modules are configured to provide lateral and longitudinal control to the aircraft by directly controlling a thrust vector for each of the pitch, the roll, and the yaw of the aircraft. The use of directly articulated electrical motors as T/V modules enables the aircraft to execute tight-radius turns over a wide range of airspeeds.

Abstract: An upper joint of a wing assembly of an aircraft includes an outboard upper wing panel, a center upper wing panel, a rib, and an upper joint assembly operatively interconnecting the outboard upper wing panel, the center upper wing panel, and the rib. In some embodiments, outboard upper stringers may be configured differently than center upper stringers. In some embodiments, a subset of the center upper stringers may not directly oppose the outboard upper stringers. In other embodiments, for at least a substantial fore/aft span of the upper joint, each of the center upper stringers may directly oppose an outboard upper stringer.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is described. The UAV may include a fuselage assembly and a plurality of inter-connecting wing sections. The inter-connecting wing section may include a connecting assembly on opposing lateral ends. The connecting assembly may be complementary on opposing ends. The fuselage assembly may include a complementary set of the connecting assembly on opposing lateral ends. The complementary set of the connecting assembly may be configured to connect to at least two of the inter-connecting wing sections. At least a portion of the inter-connecting wing sections may include a solar array having solar panels.

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.

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).

Abstract: Methods and systems for efficiently increasing the wing area of an aircraft are disclosed herein. An integrated wingtip extension configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a tapered wing section and a winglet. The tapered wing section includes an inboard end portion having a first chord length and an outboard end portion having a second chord length that is less than the first chord length. The winglet is fixedly attached to the outboard end portion. The inboard end portion is configured to be fixedly attached to a tip portion of an aircraft wing. In one embodiment, the tapered wing section and the winglet can be integrally formed from composite materials.

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.

Abstract: An aircraft wing has hinged ribs, and a skin covering the ribs. The ribs each include plural rib sections, array from the leading edge of the wing, to the trailing edge of the wing, and a lock to hold the rib sections together in a deployed state or condition. The wings are initially in a stowed state, with the ribs and the rib sections having a curved chord, and deploy to the deployed state, in which the ribs have a straightened chord that defines an airfoil state. The wing may have foam material between the ribs to allow the wings to expand in the wingspan direction, for instance after the ribs have been placed in the deployed state.

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.

Abstract: A method of sealing a gap between first and second aerodynamic surfaces. The width of the gap between the two surfaces is measured to obtain a gap measurement. The width of a seal member is pre-formed in accordance with the gap measurement. The seal member is fitted into the gap such that the seal member is substantially flush with the first and second aerodynamic surfaces. Apparatus for performing the method is also described. The apparatus comprising: a metrology device adapted to measure the width of the gap between the first and second aerodynamic surfaces; a seal member dispenser for dispensing a seal member; and a cutter adapted to cut the seal member to size in accordance with the measurements obtained by the metrology device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprises a first number of layers of a composite material for a wing, a second number of layers of the composite material for the wing, and a metal layer located between the first number of layers and the second number of layers in the wing. The metal layer has a first thickness at a first area configured to receive a number of fasteners and a second thickness at a second area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for aircraft according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a fuselage and a wing. The fuselage may be configured to generate lift in response to airflow over the fuselage. In addition, the fuselage may have at least one hole defined therethrough. A spar may be disposed through the hole and extend into at least a portion of the wing and at least a portion of the fuselage. The spar may connect the fuselage to the wings.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft wing including two members removably connected end to end by a coupling including: a male coupling part with spaced opposed upper and lower faces, a first face being planar while the second face has a longitudinal relief (9) with a V-shaped section, the first and second faces being mutually included towards each other at their free ends; a female coupling part with spaced upper and lower faces facing each other, a first face being planar while the second face has a longitudinal relief with a V-shaped section complementary to that of the relief, and the first and second faces being mutually inclined away from each other at their free ends; and a fastener for retaining the two parts coupled with their respective interacting faces in a mutual bearing relation.

Abstract: An article such as a fan blade of a turbofan engine comprises a core made up of components at least some of which comprise packs of rods embedded in a resin matrix material. The rods extend in the span-wise direction of the blade to resist centrifugal forces imposed on the blade during operation. The core is encased in a skin formed from preforms which may comprise fabric reinforcements.

Abstract: A lifting structure for aircraft is essentially applicable to a horizontal stabilizer that includes two side symmetrical boxes that converge at one end (its root) thereof in a shared center area in order to connect integrally in the central area. Both boxes connect by a single part that constitutes a center rib with a double T-shaped profile. The root of the side boxes overlap converging on the inside surfaces of the wings of the center rib. The connection is ensured with rivets (lap joint). The proposed connection simplifies the assembly process (single part) and lead to a weight reduction since a carbon fiber connecting rib can be used.

Abstract: A reconfigurable air vehicle wing may be selectively reconfigured to increase its chord. The wing has a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion that are moved relative to one another to change the chord of the wing. The wing may be reconfigured from a compact configuration with a smaller chord, to and expanded configuration with a larger chord. The wing may include a foam material that forms part of the outer surface of the wing when the wing is in the expanded configuration. The foam may be a shape memory foam. Alternatively the leading edge section and the trailing edge section may be composed substantially fully of rigid materials. In either case the trailing edge section may be hingedly coupled to the leading edge section.

Abstract: A transferable modified leading edge for a wing is detachably mountable to a parent wing. The parent wing may use a NACA 23000-series airfoil. A modified wing tip may be used in conjunction with the modified leading edge. The modified leading edge can be mounted to a parent wing in a way that does not damage the parent wing. The modified leading edge and wing tip can provide increased lift.

Abstract: An aircraft joint comprises a wing structure and a wing tip. The wing structure has a first part of a clevis and lug fastening system located around an outer end of the wing structure. The wing tip has a second part of the clevis and lug fastening system located around an end of the wing tip. The wing tip is capable of being joined to the outer end of the wing structure. An upper aerodynamic surface and a lower aerodynamic surface are formed by joining the wing structure and the wing tip. The first part and the second part are located about a center between the upper aerodynamic surface and the lower aerodynamic surface. The first part and the second part engage each other such that a moment reaction occurs around the upper aerodynamic surface and the lower aerodynamic surface.

Abstract: The following steps are performed in the method of constructing an aircraft: taking a subassembly comprising two wings that are rigidly fastened together, and fitting it to a fuselage wall; and fastening the subassembly to the wall by means of fastener elements that are distinct from the subassembly and that present main axes that are vertical.

Abstract: A protective skin (143a, 143b) for an aircraft is disclosed. The protective skin (143a, 143b) forms the leading edges of wing members, horizontal stabilizers, and vertical fins. A portion of the skin material (143a, 143b) is removed in a selected pattern (155a, 157a, 159a, 161a, 155b, 157b, 159b, 161b) from the interior surface of the skin (143a, 143b). In the preferred embodiment, the interior surface of the skin is chemically etched and/or mechanically milled in oval and rectangular patterns so as to create crumple zones (155a, 157a, 159a, 161a, 155b, 157b, 159b, 161b) and generate progressive failure of the metal. This allows the leading edge to absorb the impact energy from a collision with a bird or other object, and prevent the bird or other object from penetrating through the leading edge into the substructure.