Winglet systems and methods for aircraft
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRoss Westermeier, Paul Edward Black, Billy P. Tung, Peter Schupp, Scott Vincent Pugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A winglet system is configured to be secured to a wing of an aircraft. The winglet system includes an upper blade, a lower blade, and a cover plate integrally formed with the upper blade and the lower blade. The cover plate covers an opening within a transition joint between the upper blade and the lower blade. The cover plate remains coupled to the upper blade if the lower blade is separated from the winglet system.
Claims21
A winglet system configured to be secured to a distal end of a wing of an aircraft, the winglet system comprising:
- an upper blade;
- a lower blade;
- and
- a cover plate integrally formed with the upper blade and the lower blade, wherein the cover plate is disposed within an opening that extends into, within, and through a transition joint between the upper blade and the lower blade, wherein the cover plate covers the opening, and wherein the cover plate remains coupled to the upper blade if the lower blade is separated from the winglet system,
- wherein the upper blade, the lower blade, and the cover plate are configured to be secured to the distal end of the wing of the aircraft.
A method for a winglet system configured to be secured to a distal end of a wing of an aircraft, the method comprising:
- integrally forming a cover plate with an upper blade and a lower blade;
- and
- disposing the cover plate within an opening that extends into, within, and through a transition joint between the upper blade and the lower blade, wherein the cover plate cover the opening, and wherein the cover plate remains coupled to the upper blade if the lower blade is separated from the winglet system;
- and
- securing the winglet system including the cover plate, the upper blade, and the lower blade to the distal end of the wing.
An aircraft comprising:
- a fuselage;
- wings extending from the fuselage;
- and
- a winglet system secured to a distal end of each of the wings, the winglet system comprising:
- an upper blade;
- a lower blade;
- and
- a cover plate integrally formed with the upper blade and the lower blade, wherein the cover plate is disposed within an opening that extends into, within, and through a transition joint between the upper blade and the lower blade, wherein the cover plate covers the opening, and wherein the cover plate remains coupled to the upper blade if the lower blade is separated from the winglet system,
- wherein the upper blade, the lower blade, and the cover plate are secured to the distal end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.