Predictable bonded rework of composite structures
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsEugene A. Dan-Jumbo, Russell L. Keller, Everett A. Westerman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A patch for reworking an inconsistent area of a composite structure comprises a composite laminate patch and a bond joint between the patch and the structure. The bond joint including at least first and second regions respectively having differing properties for releasing strain energy around the inconsistent area at different rates.
Claims19
A method of reworking an inconsistent area on a composite structure, comprising:
- forming a composite laminate layer;
- placing the laminate layer on a surface of the composite structure over the inconsistent area;
- forming, using an adhesive, a bond joint between the laminate layer and the composite structure;
- dividing the bond joint into at least two adhesive sections, the at least two adhesive sections configured to release strain energy respectively at different rates, by tailoring at least one of:
- a dimension of the adhesive, a form of the adhesive, and a structural property of the adhesive.
A method of reworking an inconsistent area on a composite aircraft structure, comprising:
- fabricating a laminate layer;
- fabricating a first adhesive section, a second adhesive section, and a third adhesive section of a structural adhesive;
- placing the first adhesive section on a surface of the composite aircraft structure over the inconsistent area;
- surrounding the first adhesive section with the second adhesive section;
- surrounding the second adhesive section with the third adhesive section;
- and,
- using the first, second and third adhesive sections to form a bond joint between the laminate layer and the composite structure, wherein the bond joint is divided into three regions configured to release strain energy surrounding the inconsistent area respectively at different rates, by tailoring at least one of:
- a dimension of the structural adhesive, a form of the structural adhesive, and a structural property of the structural adhesive.
A method of reworking an inconsistent area on a composite aircraft structure, comprising:
- fabricating a composite laminate layer;
- fabricating a first adhesive section, a second adhesive section, and a third adhesive section of a structural adhesive;
- placing the first adhesive section on a surface of the composite aircraft structure over the inconsistent area;
- surrounding the first adhesive section with the second adhesive section;
- surrounding the second adhesive section with the third adhesive section;
- using the first, second and third adhesive sections to form a bond joint between the composite laminate layer and the composite structure, wherein the bond joint is divided into three control regions;
- and
- configuring the three control regions to release strain energy surrounding the inconsistent area respectively at different rates, by tailoring at least one of:
- a dimension, a form, and a structural property of the structural adhesive, such that:
- a first control region is configured to provide favorable in-plane stresses that may suppress a stress concentration around a boundary of a disbond of the bond joint;
- a second control region is configured to release strain energy at a rate greater than a strain energy release rate of the first control region;
- and a third control region is configured to release strain energy at a rate greater than a strain energy release rate of the second control region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.