Aerodynamic structures of composite construction
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJames Hunt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aerodynamic structures in which loads are carried around the corner between two angularly related sections in a covering composed of multiple, anisotropic plies of a polymer reinforced with unidirectional fibers or filaments (these terms are used interchangeably herein). Tear straps are incorporated in the covering to halt the propagation of cracks, and filler plies are located between the tear straps to minimize irregularities in the surfaces of the covering.
Claims18
An aerodynamic structure of composite construction having a center section and an outboard section joined at an angle to said center section, said aerodynamic structure including:
- (a) a framework which has longitudinally extending spars at the leading and trailing edges thereof and ribs of airfoil section extending between, oriented transversely relative to, and supported by said spars;
- and (b) a skin composed of a quasi-isotropic layout of superimposed, bonded together, flat, anisotropic plies of a filament reinforced polymeric composite surrounding and supported by said framework.
An aerodynamic structure of composite construction having a center section and an outboard section joined at an angle to said center section, said aerodynamic structure including:
- a framework and a skin composed of bonded together plies of a filament reinforced polymeric composite surrounding and supported by said framework, said skin comprising a combination of:
- (a) plies which extend from tip-to-tip of said aerodynamic structure and (b) plies which are generally confined to said center and outboard sections of the aerodynamic structure and are overlapped in that area bounding the juncture between said center and outboard sections.
An aerodynamic structure of composite construction having a center section and an outboard section joined at an angle to said center section, said aerodynamic structure including:
- a framework and a skin composed of bonded together plies of a filament reinforced polymeric composite surrounding and supported by said framework, said skin having four superimposed groups of plies, said plies all having unidirectional filaments and said plies being oriented from top-to-bottom of said skin with said unidirectional fibers extending at the following angles with respect to the zero axis of the structure:
- ______________________________________ Center Section Degrees Section Tip-to-Tip Outboard Plies Plies Plies ______________________________________ -45 +67.5 +45 -22.5 90 +67.5 -45 -22.5 0 +67.5 +67.5 -67.5 -22.5 +22.5 -67.5 +67.5 0 -22.5 +45 +67.5 90 -22.5 -45 +67.5 +45 -22.5 ______________________________________
An aerodynamic structure of composite construction having a center section and an outboard section joined at an angle to said center section, said aerodynamic structure including:
- a framework and a skin composed of bonded together plies of a filament reinforced, polymeric composite surrounding and supported by said framework, said skin including tear straps for inhibiting the propagation of cracks in said skin, said tear straps being:
- integrated into said skin, extending lengthwise of said center section and said outboard section at locations spaced chordwise of said center and outboard sections, and comprised of bonded together anisotropic plies of a filament reinforced polymeric composite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.