Segmented composite tube assembly with scarf joints
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorOlivier Blanc
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hollow tube assembly is constructed from two or more concave segments, each having longitudinal edges that are tapered perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the assembly with substantially identical tapers. The respective tapered edges are joined at respective joining faces forming scarf joints, either with or without applying an adhesive between opposing joining faces. The overall thickness of the scarf joint may substantially correspond to the thickness of the segments. The scarf joints may be straight or arcuate. The segments may be constructed by overlaying layers of a composite material made of carbon fiber reinforced polymers and may be provided in pre-impregnated (prepreg) form.
Claims20
A hollow tube assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of concave segments each extending in a longitudinal direction of the hollow tube assembly and having tapered edges, wherein different ones of the concave segments are joined along the tapered edges by scarf joints to form the hollow tube assembly.
A method for forming a hollow tube assembly from a plurality of concave segments extending in a longitudinal direction of the hollow tube assembly, comprising:
- forming at least one first concave segment extending in the longitudinal direction and having first tapered edges;
- forming at least one second concave segment extending in the longitudinal direction and having second tapered edges;
- and
- forming the hollow tube assembly by joining the at least one first concave segment and the at least one second concave segment along the respective first and second tapered edges by a scarf joint.
An airframe component constructed to carry structural loads, comprising a hollow tube assembly constructed from a plurality of concave segments made of a layered fiber-reinforced composite material, with the concave segments extending in a longitudinal direction of the hollow tube assembly and having tapered edges, wherein different of the plurality of concave segments are joined along the tapered edges by scarf joints having a scarf angle of less than 6 degrees.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.