Aircraft blade and methods of forming and repairing an aircraft blade
US11413828B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of making an aircraft blade is provided. The method comprises the steps of: assembling two or more fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composite parts into a blade assembly; and welding the fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composite parts together utilising an additional thermoplastic located at least at locations where the parts will abut when assembled. The additional thermoplastic has a melting or softening temperature lower than a melting temperature of each of the fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composite parts being assembled. The step of welding comprises heating the blade assembly to a temperature above the melting/softening temperature of the additional thermoplastic and below the melting temperature of each of the fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composite parts so as to melt/soften the additional thermoplastic and thereby weld the fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composite parts together to form the aircraft blade.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.