Composite Flange, Duct Incorporating a Flange and Method of Making a Flange
AssigneeGKN Aerospace Services Limited
InventorGiovanni Antonio Marengo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flange (1) made of composite material, a method of making the flange (1) and a mandrel (3) upon which the flange (1) is formed are provided. The flange (1) is a curved hollow member that has a substantially triangular cross-section. The method of making the flange (1) includes applying composite material to external surfaces of a curved mandrel (3). The mandrel (3) is curved and comprises a solid triangular cross-section. The method also includes curing the composite material to produce a flange (1) that is a curved hollow member that is substantially triangular in cross-section.
Claims37
1-38. (canceled)
A flange comprising composite material, wherein
- the flange comprises a curved hollow member having a substantially triangular cross-section;
- and
- said cross-section includes a substantially right-angled triangle, wherein
- a first side of the triangle is substantially perpendicular to a second side of the triangle that follows a curve;
- and
- a third side of the triangle comprises substantially pentagonal shaped holes.
A flange according to claim 29, wherein the curved hollow member defines a section of a closed figure having a curved perimeter.
A method of making a flange comprising composite material, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- a) applying composite material to external surfaces of a curved mandrel that comprises a substantially triangular cross-section;
- and
- b) curing the composite material to produce a flange comprising a, curved hollow member having a substantially triangular cross-section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.