Lightweight honeycomb panel structure
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJefferson F. Newton, Thomas D. Martin, Willard N. Westre, David J. Carbery, Roy Ikegami
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Abstract
Disclosed is a lightweight honeycomb structure that comprises a top panel (34) and bottom panel (32) and a large-celled honeycomb layer (36) disposed between the top and bottom panels. The honeycomb panel structure according to the present invention can be used in such applications as a sound-absorbing payload shroud for launch vehicles, flooring and walls in aerospace applications, aircraft wings and in structures that will be exposed to high heat. Additionally, a method of making a honeycomb structure of thermoplastic material is disclosed.
Claims23
A lightweight honeycomb structure that absorbs acoustic energy in a range of frequencies comprising:
- a first panel comprising a first top skin, a first bottom skin and a first spacing layer disposed between the first top skin and the first bottom skin;
- a second panel comprising a second top skin, a second bottom skin and a second spacing layer disposed between the second top skin and the second bottom skin;
- a middle honeycomb layer sandwiched between the first and second panels, wherein the middle honeycomb layer includes a plurality of tuned cells, each of which resonates at a frequency within the range of frequencies;
- a layer of viscoelastic material disposed between the second panel and the middle honeycomb layer;
- and
- a septum layer overlaying the layer of viscoelastic material such that the septum layer is disposed between the layer of viscoelastic material and the middle honeycomb layer, said septum layer preventing engagement of the viscoelastic layer by the middle honeycomb layer but being bonded therebetween for dissipating sheer energy transmitted from the first panel through the middle honeycomb layer.
A lightweight payload shroud designed to be fitted on a launch vehicle to absorb acoustic energy within a frequency range, comprising:
- a plurality of honeycomb panels that form at least a portion of an outer surface of the payload shroud, each panel including:
- (a) a first panel that includes a first top skin, a first bottom skin and a first honeycomb layer disposed between the first top skin and the first bottom skin;
- (b) a second panel that includes a second top skin, a second bottom skin and a second honeycomb layer disposed between the second top skin and the second bottom skin;
- (c) a middle honeycomb layer sandwiched between the first and second panels, wherein the middle honeycomb layer includes a plurality of tuned cells, each of which resonates at a frequency within the frequency range;
- (d) a layer of viscoelastic material disposed between the second panel and the middle honeycomb layer;
- and
- (e) a septum layer overlaying the layer of viscoelastic material such that the septum layer is disposed between the layer of viscoelastic material and the middle honeycomb layer, said septum layer preventing engagement of the viscoelastic layer by the middle honeycomb layer but being bonded therebetween for dissipating sheer energy transmitted from the first panel through the middle honeycomb layer.
A lightweight composite panel structure comprising:
- a first panel that includes a first outer skin, a first inner skin, and a first spacing layer of a honeycomb material disposed between the first outer skin and the first inner skin;
- a second panel that includes a second outer skin, a second inner skin and a second layer of honeycomb material disposed between the second outer skin and the second inner skin;
- and
- a large-celled middle honeycomb layer sandwiched between the first and second panels.
A lightweight panel structure comprising:
- a first panel that includes a first outer skin, a first inner skin and a first corrugated layer disposed between the first outer skin and the first inner skin, wherein the corrugated layer forms a plurality of channels between the first outer skin and the first inner skin, the channels being capable of passing a coolant to draw heat away from the first panel;
- a second panel that includes a second outer skin, a second inner skin and a spacing layer disposed between the second outer skin and the second inner skin;
- and
- a middle honeycomb layer sandwiched between said first and second panels.
A lightweight panel structure comprising:
- a first panel that includes a first outer skin, a first inner skin and a first corrugated layer disposed between the first outer skin and the first inner skin, wherein the corrugated layer forms a plurality of channels between the first outer skin and the first inner skin;
- a second panel that includes a second outer skin, a second inner skin and a spacing layer disposed between the second outer skin and the second inner skin;
- and
- a middle honeycomb layer sandwiched between said first and second panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.