Composite aircraft components and methods relating thereto
AssigneeAirbus Operations GmbH
InventorThomas Barnett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aircraft component (800) comprising a curved composite panel (700) having a stiffener support region (709) is disclosed. The stiffener support region (709) is substantially planar along a first direction (Y) of the panel (700) and is formed by a resin-infused fibre preform (300). The composite panel (700) also comprises a curved region (707) which is curved along the first direction (Y) of the panel (700) and is formed by a further resin infused fibre preform (200). Methods of manufacturing the aircraft component (800) are also disclosed. FIG. 9 to accompany abstract on publication.
Claims15
A method of manufacturing an aircraft component comprising a curved composite panel having a surface comprising a stiffener support region, the method comprising:
- placing a first fiber preform and at least a second fiber preform together in a mould to form a lay-up, the first fiber preform comprising a first surface which is curved along at least a first direction, the second fiber preform being arranged against the first surface of the first fiber preform;
- and
- infusing the first and second fiber preforms with resin and curing the resin to produce the curved composite panel with a surface comprising a stiffener support region arranged contiguously with a curved region;
- wherein the stiffener support region is substantially planar along the first direction and is formed by the resin-infused second fiber preform, and the curved region is curved along the first direction and is formed by the resin infused first fiber preform.
An aircraft component comprising a curved composite panel formed at least in part by a fiber lay-up infused with a continuous matrix of resin, the lay-up comprising a first fiber preform and a second fiber preform, the first fiber preform being separate from the second fiber preform, wherein the panel has a first surface comprising a stiffener support region and a curved region arranged contiguously with the stiffener support region, the stiffener support region is substantially planar along a first direction of the panel and is formed by the resin-infused second fiber preform, and the curved region is curved along the first direction of the panel and is formed by the resin infused first fiber preform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.