Apparatus for forming and installing stringers
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJoseph D. Brennan, Darrell D. Jones, Brian G. Robins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hands-free method and related apparatus are used to shape, place and compact a composite stringer on a composite skin of an aircraft. A composite charge is placed on a tool assembly that used to shape the charge into a preformed stringer. With the stringer held on the tool assembly, the tool assembly is used to move the preformed stringer into proximity with the skin and both place and compact the stringer against the skin. Following compaction of the stringer, the tool assembly is removed and the skin and the stringer are co-cured.
Claims11
1-15. (canceled)
An apparatus for forming and placing a composite stringer on a skin, comprising:
- a tool assembly for holding a preformed stringer;
- movable structure coupled with the tool assembly for placing the preformed stringer on the skin;
- and
- a compactor on the tool assembly for compacting the preformed stringer against the skin.
(canceled)
An apparatus for forming and placing a composite stringer on an aircraft skin, comprising:
- a tray;
- a pair of tools for shaping a composite charge into a preformed stringer;
- means for mounting the pair of tools on the tray for movement allowing the pair of tools to conform to a contour of the skin;
- a clamping assembly for clamping the preformed stringer against the pair of tools;
- means for moving the tray into proximity with the skin and for placing the preformed stringer on the skin;
- and,
- a compactor carried on the tray for displacing the pair of tools relative to the tray and for compacting the preformed stringer against the skin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.