Systems, tools, and methods for forming composite tubular stringers and stiffened composite structures having composite tubular stringers

US8906179B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Brad Andrew Coxon · Everett, US
• Daniel M. Rotter · Lake Forest Park, US
• Brian G. Robins · Renton, US
• Wallace C. Chan · Seattle, US
• Bernhard Dopker · Bellevue, US
• Stephen Keith Kirchmeier · Bothell, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 21, 2013
• Grant date: Dec 9, 2014
• Expiry date: Feb 21, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T156/1028
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems, tools, and methods for forming composite tubular stringers and stiffened composite structures having composite tubular stringers are disclosed. Systems include a tool, a supply of pliable blanks for forming composite tubular stringers with the tool, a supply of skin segments for forming a skin, and a layup mandrel for receiving the composite tubular stringers and the skin to form a stiffened composite structure. Tools include a wrapping mandrel for forming from a pliable blank a tubular structure with a first circumferential profile, and a transition mandrel for conforming the tubular structure to a second circumferential profile. Methods include wrapping a pliable blank around a wrapping mandrel to define a tubular structure having a first circumferential profile, and transitioning the tubular structure from having the first circumferential profile to having a second circumferential profile.