Patent · US Active

Methods for manufacturing composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures

US8303758B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
194References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 30, 2012
Grant dateNov 6, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 30, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T156/1795
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Methods for manufacturing composite sections for aircraft fuselages and other structures are disclosed herein. A method for manufacturing a shell structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes applying composite material to an interior mold surface of a tool to form a skin extending 360 degrees around an axis. The method can further include positioning a plurality of stiffeners on an inner surface of the skin. After the stiffeners have been positioned, a vacuum bag can be installed over the stiffeners and evacuated to press the stiffeners and the skin outwardly against the interior mold surface of the tool. Next, the skin/stiffener combination can be cocured to bond the stiffeners to the skin and harden the shell structure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.