Method of manufacturing spars, longerons and fuselage beams having a variable H cross-section
US8815044B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/1002
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A beam of fiber-reinforced curable thermosetting composite material is preliminarily assembled in an uncured condition. The beam is placed between two forming tools, namely a lower and an upper tool, shaped in such a way as to give the lower and upper flanges a predetermined shape, at least one of the flanges having a non-rectilinear profile viewed in a longitudinal vertical plane. Two longitudinally elongate rigid inserts are placed between the flanges at the sides of the web and are covered in respective airtight tubular bags. The spaces between the upper tool and the lower tool on the two opposite longitudinal sides are sealed. The open opposite ends of the tubular bags are also sealed in such a manner that the pressure applied in an autoclave during the step of curing causes the tubular bags to swell and presses them against the two opposite faces of the web and against the flanges of the beam. On completion of curing, the upper forming tool is removed and the inserts are extracted sideways.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.