Monolithic and integrally formed hinge structure for an aircraft
AssigneeAEVEX Aerospace, LLC
InventorsSalim Adam Roustom, Hugo Bouvier Schroeder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an aircraft assembly is described. The aircraft assembly can include an airfoil structure, which can extend in a chordwise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge and can include a first component having one or more hinge loops. The first component can have one or more hinge loops that include a first monolithic, integrally formed structure. The airfoil structure can also include a rear component positioned behind the first component in the chordwise direction. The rear component can have an interface member extending within the one or more hinge loops. The rear component, including the interface member, can include a second monolithic, integrally formed structure.
Claims15
A method of manufacturing an airfoil structure of an aircraft assembly, the airfoil structure extending in a chordwise direction from a leading edge to a trailing edge, the method comprising:
- printing, on a 3D printer platform using an additive manufacturing process, a first component of the airfoil structure as a first monolithic, integrally formed structure, wherein the first component includes one or more hinge loops;
- and
- during printing of the first component, printing, on the 3D printer platform using the additive manufacturing process, a rear component of the airfoil structure as a second monolithic, integrally formed structure, wherein the rear component includes an interface member extending within the one or more hinge loops.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.