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US 2018/0304983 A1Published application
Hybrid carbon/fiberglass structural component for an aircraft
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMax U. Kismarton, Devin E. Knowles, Francis E. Andrews
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid carbon/fiberglass structural component or beam for an aircraft is constructed with layers of strips of glass fibers interspersed with layers of strips of unidirectional carbon fibers where the carbon fibers are oriented only in alignment with or along the longitudinal direction of the length of the beam thereby adding strength and stiffness to the beam while reducing weight and manufacturing costs.
Claims21
A structural component for an aircraft, the structural component comprising:
- a beam having a length extending in a longitudinal direction between a first terminal end of the beam and a second terminal end of the beam, the beam having a width extending in a lateral direction across the beam;
- a first plurality of strips of composite material on the beam, the first plurality of strips of composite material extending along the length of the beam, the first plurality of strips of composite material being comprised of strips of glass fibers;
- a second plurality of strips of composite material on the beam, the second plurality of strips of composite material extending along the length of the beam, the second plurality of strips of composite material being comprised of strips of unidirectional carbon fibers where the carbon fibers are only oriented in alignment with the length of the beam;
- and,
- a third plurality of strips of composite material on the beam, the third plurality of strips of composite material being on the beam adjacent the first terminal end of the beam and the second terminal end of the beam, the third plurality of strips of material being comprised of glass fibers, the third plurality of strips of composite material being connected to opposite ends of the second plurality of strips of composite material at the first terminal end of the beam and the second terminal end of the beam.
2 more elements
A structural component for an aircraft, the structural component comprising:
- a beam having a length extending in a longitudinal direction between a first terminal end of the beam and a second terminal end of the beam, and having a width extending in a lateral direction across the beam;
- a first strip of composite material on the beam, the first strip being comprised of glass fibers that are oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction along the length of the beam;
- a second strip of composite material on the beam, the second strip extending along the length of the beam, the second strip being comprised of unidirectional carbon fibers that are oriented in the longitudinal direction along the length of the beam;
- a third strip of composite material on the beam, the third strip being comprised of glass fibers that are oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction along the length of the beam;
- the second strip being sandwiched between the first strip and the third strip with the first strip and the third strip shielding the second strip from an exterior environment of the beam;
- the second strip has a length that extends along the length of the beam between the first terminal end of the beam and the second terminal end of the beam, the second strip has an intermediate portion on the beam and first and second terminal end portions on the beam adjacent the first and second terminal ends of the beam, respectively;
- and
- the intermediate portion of the second strip is comprised of carbon fibers and the first terminal end portion and the second terminal end portion of the second strip are comprised of glass fibers.
5 more elements
A structural component for an aircraft, the structural component comprising:
- a beam having a length extending in a longitudinal direction between a first terminal end of the beam and a second terminal end of the beam, and having a width extending in a lateral direction across the beam;
- a first strip of composite material on the beam, the first strip being comprised of glass fibers that are oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction along the length of the beam;
- a second strip of composite material on the beam, the second strip extending along the length of the beam, the second strict being comprised of unidirectional carbon fibers that are oriented in the longitudinal direction along the length of the beam;
- a third strip of composite material on the beam, the third strip being comprised of glass fibers that are oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction along the length of the beam;
- the second strip being sandwiched between the first strip and the third strip with the first strip and the third strip shielding the second strip from an exterior environment of the beam;
- an upper flange of the beam, the upper flange having a horizontal orientation, the upper flange having a length that extends between the first terminal end of the beam and the second terminal end of the beam, and the upper flange having a width that extends across the width of the beam;
- a lower flange of the beam, the lower flange having a horizontal orientation, the lower flange having a length that extends between the first terminal end of the beam and the second terminal end of the beam, and the lower flange having a width that extends across the width of the beam;
- and,
- a central web of the beam, the central web having a vertical orientation, the central web having a length that extends between the first terminal end of the beam and the second terminal end of the beam, and the central web having a height that extends between the upper flange and the lower flange;
- the second strip has a length that extends along the length of the beam between the first terminal end of the beam and the second terminal end of the beam, the second strip has an intermediate portion on the beam and first and second terminal end portions on the beam adjacent the first and second terminal ends of the beam, respectively;
- and,
- the intermediate portion of the second strip is comprised of carbon fibers and the first terminal end portion and the second terminal end portion of the second strip are comprised of glass fibers.
9 more elements
-20. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.