Aircraft structure with hinge rib assembly
US8371537B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49815
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An aircraft structure comprising; a rear spar, an upper cover which is attached to the rear spar and overhangs to its rear; a lower cover which is attached to the rear spar and overhangs to its rear, a hinge rib assembly comprising: a first hinge rib arm attached to a first one of the covers; and a second hinge rib arm connected to the first hinge rib arm and attached to a second one of the covers; and an aerodynamic control element pivotally mounted to the hinge rib assembly. The first and second hinge rib arms are separate parts. This provides the ability to disassemble the hinge rib in-situ for repair or maintenance purposes; the ability to install or remove the hinge rib without having to move it inboard along the structure; reduced material wastage during manufacture; and the ability to install one or more elongate lines which extend in a span-wise direction along the aircraft structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.