Aircraft wing composed of composite and metal panels

US7387277B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Jan A. Kordel · Redmond, US
• Richard B. Tanner · Seattle, US
• Ian C. Burford · Duvall, US
• Victor A. Munsen · Seattle, US
• Daniel E. McGinty · Snohomish, US
• Scott N. Rampton · Bothell, US
• Bruce R. Fox · Everett, US
• James M. Kelly · Marysville, US
• Miles O. Johnson · Brier, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 29, 2004
• Grant date: Jun 17, 2008
• Expiry date: May 3, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64C3/00
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Aircraft wing assemblies having both composite and metal panels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wing assembly includes a support structure, an upper panel assembly formed from a metal material and coupled to the support structure, and a lower panel assembly formed from a composite material and coupled to the support structure. The metal material may be aluminum, titanium, or any other suitable metal, and the composite material may be a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) material or other suitable composite material. In another embodiment, the upper panel assembly includes a downwardly depending first web portion, and the lower panel assembly includes an upwardly depending second web portion, the second web portion being proximate the first web portion, and an interface member of an isolating material is disposed between the first and second web portions.