Structural composite airfoils with an improved leading edge, and related methods

US11453476B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Bryan J. Gruner · Bellevue, US
• Jan A. Kordel · Redmond, US
• Peter Schupp · Seattle, US
• Kyle Alexander Johnson · Fall City, US
• Ross Westermeier · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2020
• Grant date: Sep 27, 2022
• Expiry date: Sep 27, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64F5/10
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Structural composite airfoils include a front C-channel spar having an upper flange coupled to an upper skin panel, and a lower flange coupled to a lower skin panel. The lower skin panel includes a joggle adjacent a lower leading edge end, with the joggle being positioned forward of the front C-channel spar. An upper skin surface of the lower leading edge end faces an internal volume defined between the upper skin panel and the lower skin panel. A lower skin surface of the lower leading edge end faces an internal surface of the upper leading edge end of the upper skin panel, and the lower leading edge end of the lower skin panel is coupled to the upper leading edge end of the upper skin panel forward of the front C-channel spar. The leading edge has a bullnose shape defined by the upper skin panel.