Patent · US Active

Composite bulkhead and skin construction

US8490920B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
7References
15Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 7, 2008
Grant dateJul 23, 2013
Priority date—
Expiry dateJun 1, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/40
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Aircraft fuselage structures have fuselage bulkheads in which the bulkhead outer caps are integrated with the skin, thereby reducing fastener count and weight. These outer caps and skin are preferably co-cured to form a strong structure. The outer caps can be advantageously constructed as continuous hoops of pultruded elements. The outer cap need not be interrupted by contours or cutouts for stringers, saving weight and reducing complexity. It is contemplated that by integrating the bulkhead outer caps into the skin, a bulkhead can still maintain equivalent stiffness and strength, while saving a significant number of rivets as compared to a comparable design without the outer cap.

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