Isostatic die and method for assembly of skeletal structures
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsJohn R. Legge, Charles E. Nunley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pair of strongbacks having a plurality of particularly sized plates positioned thereon are aligned on either side of a wing structure. The plates on the strongback bridge openings formed by the ribs of the skeletal framework for the wing preventing deformation of the unsupported curvilinear aerodynamic surface of the wing. A bonding chamber includes a flexible bladder and allows the strongbacks to act as an isostatic, and selective die.
Claims5
An assembly for the attachment of a skin to a skeletal frame of the type of which has various ribs defining open portions therethrough, comprising:
- a first die means including a sheet on which a plurality of particularly sized rigid plates are fixedly mounted, said first die being positioned on one side of said skeletal frame against said skin;
- a second die means including a sheet on which a plurality of particularly size rigid plates are fixedly mounted thereon, said rigid plates on said second die and said rigid plates on said first die being oppositely aligned and bridging the openings in said skeletal frame;
- a chamber, sized to receive an assembly comprised of said first die means and said second die means, including a flexible bladder sized to enclose said first die means and said second die means;
- and
- fluid pressure means for supplying a fluid under pressure to said chamber for urging said flexible bladder and said plurality of particularly sized rigid plates bridging the opening in said skeletal frame against the rib portion of said skeletal frame thereby preventing deformation or damage to said skin adjacent openings in said skeletal frame.
A method for attaching a skin to a skeletal frame of the type having ribs defining a plurality of openings, comprising:
- applying a settable adhesive to said ribbed portion of said skeletal framework;
- positioning a first skin on said skeletal frame;
- positioning a first die having a plurality of particularly sized plates thereon against said first skin such that each of said plates bridges one of said openings in said skeletal frame;
- positioning a second skin on the opposite side of said frame;
- positioning a second die having a plurality of particularly sized plates thereon against said second skin such that said plates are aligned with corresponding plates on said first die and bridge said openings in said frame;
- placing such assembly in a bonding chamber containing a flexible bladder;
- supplying a fluid under pressure to said bonding chamber to urge said flexible bladder against said first die and said second die;
- and
- removing said assembly from said chamber and removing said first die and said second die.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.