Airfoil system with embedded electric device
AssigneeRohr, Inc.
InventorAnthony Lacko
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An airfoil system is provided that includes an airfoil. This airfoil includes a first exterior surface, a second exterior surface, a first airfoil segment and a second airfoil segment. The airfoil extends widthwise between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface. The first airfoil segment includes first composite material and a receptacle. A base of the receptacle is embedded within the first composite material. The second airfoil segment includes second composite material and a key. A base of the key is embedded within the second composite material. The key is mated with the receptacle thereby attaching the second airfoil segment to the first airfoil segment.
Claims20
An airfoil system, comprising:
- an airfoil comprising a first exterior surface, a second exterior surface, a first airfoil segment and a second airfoil segment, the airfoil extending widthwise between the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface;
- the first airfoil segment comprising first composite material and a receptacle, a base of the receptacle embedded within the first composite material;
- the second airfoil segment comprising second composite material and a key, a base of the key embedded within the second composite material, and the key mated with the receptacle thereby attaching the second airfoil segment to the first airfoil segment.
An airfoil system, comprising:
- an airfoil body comprising a first airfoil segment and a second airfoil segment;
- the first airfoil segment comprising first composite material, a first exterior skin, a first internal support and a receptacle, the first internal support projecting out from the first exterior skin to a first distal end of the first internal support, and the receptacle configured with the first internal support at the first distal end;
- the second airfoil segment comprising second composite material, a second exterior skin, a second internal support and a key, the second internal support projecting out from the second exterior skin to a second distal end of the second internal support, and the key configured with the second internal support at the second distal end;
- the first airfoil segment attached to the second airfoil segment at a tongue and groove interface between the key and the receptacle.
A manufacturing method, comprising:
- forming a first airfoil segment as a first monolithic body, wherein the first airfoil segment comprises first composite material and a receptacle, and a base of the receptacle is embedded within the first composite material;
- forming a second airfoil segment as a second monolithic body, wherein the second airfoil segment comprises second composite material and a key, and a base of the key is embedded within the second composite material;
- and
- attaching the second airfoil segment to the first airfoil segment to provide an airfoil body, the attaching comprising
- inserting the key into the receptacle;
- and
- bonding the key to the receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.