Structural composite airfoils with a single spar, and related methods

US11554848B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Gregory M. Santini · Bothell, US
• Kyle Alexander Johnson · Fall City, US
• Bryan J. Gruner · Bellevue, US
• Ross Westermeier · Seattle, US
• Jan A. Kordel · Redmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2020
• Grant date: Jan 17, 2023
• Expiry date: Jan 22, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B33Y80/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Structural composite airfoils include a primary structural element, a secondary structural element defining the trailing edge of the structural composite airfoil, and a discrete leading edge structure defining the leading edge of the structural composite airfoil. The primary structural element includes an upper skin panel, a lower skin panel, and a middle C-channel spar that is coupled to the upper skin panel and the lower skin panel. The discrete leading edge structure is coupled to the upper leading edge end of the upper skin panel and to the lower leading edge end of the lower skin panel. The upper skin panel may include a first panel bend adjacent the discrete leading edge structure, and the lower skin panel may include a second panel bend adjacent the discrete leading edge structure.