Core structures for composite panels of an aircraft, composite panels and aircraft including the core structures, and methods of manufacturing the composite panels

US10435134B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Daniel J. Braley · Saint Peters, US
• Brett I. Lyons · Chicago, US
• Thomas Joseph Gonze · North Charleston, US
• Trevor E. Tucker · Seattle, US
• Janet Mary Wick · Tacoma, US
• Eric E. Deck · Saint Louis, US
• Garrett B. Peters · Chesterfield, US
• Nicole Renee Williams · O'Fallon, US
• Andrew L. Bauer · Kirkland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 2017
• Grant date: Oct 8, 2019
• Expiry date: Jan 25, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/40
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Core structures (120) for composite panels (75) of an aircraft (10), composite panels (75) and aircraft (10) including the core structures (120), and methods (200) of manufacturing the composite panels (75) are disclosed herein. The core structures (120) include a first side (140), a second side (150), and a connecting region (160) that interconnects an upper portion (142) of the first side (140) with an upper portion (152) of the second side (150). The first side (140), the second side (150), and the connecting region (160) at least partially define an antenna housing (62), which defines a housing volume (64) configured to contain an aircraft antenna (60) of the aircraft (10), and an electromagnetic wave transmission region (66) configured to permit electromagnetic waves to pass therethrough. The electromagnetic wave transmission region (66) defines a plurality of kite-shaped voids (130) arranged in a repeating pattern and bounded by a corresponding plurality of walls (170), at least 10% of which extends at least substantially perpendicular to a surface (122/124) that bounds the electromagnetic wave transmission region (66).