Stretch Forming Method for a Sheet Metal Skin with Convex and Concave Curvatures
OwnerJohn Ralph Stewart, IIIinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of forming sheet metal skins of the inner fixed structure of a blocker door thrust reverser assembly having convex and concave curvatures. The method includes plastically stretching a sheet of metal about a mandrel having a chordwise central first axis to form a substantially convex shape. The method further includes the addition of features after the substantially convex shape is formed to facilitate plastically stretching a portion or portions of the substantially convex shape into a substantially concave shape about an axis that is substantially parallel to the chordwise central first axis.
Claims20
A method of forming an aircraft nacelle thrust reverser inner fixed structure skin, the method comprising:
- a) stretching a sheet of metal on a stretch form mandrel in a spanwise direction about a chordwise central axis, whereby said sheet of metal is plastically deformed into a workpiece having a substantially convex first shape, opposed first and second ends, and opposed first and second edges;
- b) positioning a first and second dozer block over said workpiece;
- c) moving a first articulating jaw that is gripping said opposed first edge in a direction that stretches said workpiece about said first dozer block, whereby said workpiece is plastically deformed into a substantially concave second shape about an axis that is substantially parallel to said chordwise central axis;
- d) moving a second articulating jaw that is gripping said opposed second edge in a direction that stretches said workpiece about said second dozer block, whereby said workpiece is plastically deformed into a substantially concave third shape about an axis that is substantially parallel to said chordwise central axis.
A method of forming an aircraft nacelle thrust reverser inner fixed structure skin, the method comprising:
- a) stretching a sheet of metal on a stretch form mandrel in a spanwise direction about a chordwise central axis, whereby said sheet of metal is plastically deformed into a workpiece having a substantially convex first shape, opposed first and second ends, and opposed first and second edges;
- b) positioning a first dozer block over said workpiece;
- c) moving a first articulating jaw that is gripping said opposed first edge in a direction that stretches said workpiece about said first dozer block, whereby said workpiece is plastically deformed into a substantially concave second shape about an axis that is substantially parallel to said chordwise central axis.
A stretch-forming method for producing metal skins having convex and concave curvatures, the method comprising:
- a) stretching a sheet of metal on a stretch form mandrel in a spanwise direction about a chordwise central axis, whereby said sheet of metal is plastically deformed into a workpiece having a substantially convex first shape, opposed first and second ends, and opposed first and second edges;
- b) positioning a first dozer block over said workpiece;
- c) moving a first articulating jaw that is gripping said opposed first edge in a direction that stretches said workpiece about said first dozer block, whereby said workpiece is plastically deformed into a substantially concave second shape about an axis that is substantially parallel to said chordwise central axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.