Hybrid torque box for a thrust reverser
AssigneeSpirit AeroSystems, Inc.
InventorsJohn M. Welch, Henry Arnold Schaefer, Matthew Scott Tymes, Michael Patrick Urban
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid torque box comprising a plurality of composite tubes and metal fittings attached together in alternating succession and configured to attach a thrust reverser to an engine fan case of an aircraft. The hybrid torque box may be substantially hollow and may comprise two V-blades for attaching the torque box to the engine fan case. The hybrid torque box may also be attached to or integral with a bull nose fairing configured for attachment with a cascade of the thrust reverser. Furthermore, the hybrid torque box may comprise and/or attach to a cowl interface flange configured for interfacing with an outer cowl of the thrust reverser.
Claims19
A hybrid torque box for attaching an aircraft engine fan case to a thrust reverser, the torque box comprising:
- a first composite tube having a first end and a second end;
- a first metal fitting having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first metal fitting is mated with the second end of the first composite tube;
- and
- a second composite tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second composite tube is mated with the second end of the first metal fitting.
A nacelle of an aircraft, the nacelle comprising:
- a thrust reverser comprising a first half and a second half;
- an engine fan case;
- a first hybrid torque box comprising:
- a first composite tube having a first end and a second end,
- a first metal fitting having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first metal fitting is mated with the second end of the first composite tube, and
- a second composite tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second composite tube is mated with the second end of the first metal fitting;
- and
- a second hybrid torque box comprising substantially identical components to the first hybrid torque box,
- wherein the first hybrid torque box is attached to the first half of the thrust reverser, the second hybrid torque box is attached to the second half of the thrust reverser, and both the first and second hybrid torque boxes are configured to be attached to the engine fan case.
A method of manufacturing a hybrid torque box of an aircraft nacelle, the method comprising:
- forming a hollow, c-shaped tube of composite material;
- dividing the hollow, c-shaped tube into a plurality of segments;
- forming a plurality of metal fittings;
- and
- forming a torque box by joining the metal fittings with the segments of the hollow tube in alternating succession.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.