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US 2010/0301166 A1Published application
Expandable precured joint filler
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorSteven L. Bichsel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of manufacturing an aircraft having adjacent spaced apart surface panels using a hollow filler within the gap between the spaced apart surface panels.
Claims20
A method of manufacturing an aircraft comprising a pair of adjacent spaced apart surface panels supported on a substrate, comprising:
- positioning a filler that defines a hollow cavity within a gap between the adjacent surface panels while applying a vacuum to the hollow cavity;
- then no longer applying the vacuum to the hollow cavity of the filler;
- and
- then machining at least a portion of any portion of the filler that extends above either of the top surfaces of the adjacent surface panels.
1 more element
An aircraft structure, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a pair of adjacent spaced apart surface panels supported on the substrate defining a gap therebetween;
- and
- a resilient filler that defines a hollow cavity positioned within the gap between the adjacent surface panels;
- wherein the upper surface of the resilient filler comprises a machined surface.
2 more elements
A method of manufacturing a structure comprising a pair of adjacent spaced apart surface panels supported on a substrate, comprising:
- positioning a filler that defines a hollow cavity within a gap between the adjacent surface panels while applying a vacuum to the hollow cavity;
- then no longer applying the vacuum to the hollow cavity of the filler;
- and
- then machining at least a portion of any portion of the filler that extends above either of the top surfaces of the adjacent surface panels.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.