Net edge composite core splices for aircraft wing
AssigneeSierra Nevada Corporation
InventorsJames Donn HETHCOCK, JR., Raymond Lester HUMPHRIES, Matthew BARCLAY
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and related structures to splice two sizes of cores in a manner to directly interface the facets of the cells and avoid the common practice of using fillers, casting materials, and expanding adhesives is useful to optimize the specific strength of the design and minimize the weight while maximizing the load carrying capability of the structure and to allow the core to vent moisture and other gasses.
Claims24
A composite core assembly comprising:
- a first composite core structure having a first plurality of cells, a first cell size, and at least one first side surface defined by the first plurality of cells;
- a second composite core structure having a second plurality of cells, a second cell size that is greater than the first cell size, and at least one second side surface defined by the second plurality of cells, at least some of the second plurality of cells on the at least one second side surface;
- wherein at least some of the first plurality of cells on the at least one first side surface aligns with and connect to at least some of the second plurality of cells on the at least one second side surface to splice the first and second composite core structures together.
A method of assembling a core structure assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a first composite core structures having a first plurality of cells and a first cell size, and a second composite core structure having a second plurality of cells and a second cell size, the second cell size being greater than the first cell size;
- arranging facets of some of the first plurality of cells in alignment with facets of some of the second plurality of cells to create facet interfaces that maximize surface contact between the first and second composite core structures;
- connecting the first and second composite core structures together at the facet interfaces.
An apparatus with an internal composite core, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing having an internal cavity with a length, width and height;
- a first composite core structure having a first cell size;
- a second composite core structure having a second cell size that is greater than the first cell size, the first and second composite core structures being connected together at an interface between cells of the first and second composite core structures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.