Composite structural element and method
AssigneeB/E Aerospace, Inc.
InventorAlexander Nicholas Pozzi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A structural element that includes a central part formed of a fibrous material suspended in a thermoplastic matrix and at least one side part formed of a fibrous material suspended in a thermoplastic matrix and having at least one void therein. The central part and the at least one side part are bonded together while in a heated thermoplastic state to form a single, integral structure characterized by the absence of discontinuity across the bond plane of the structure.
Claims3
An aircraft seat spreader beam corresponding to outer sides of a seat pan and seat back of an assembled aircraft seat, the aircraft seat spreader beam comprising:
- (a) a central part formed of a fibrous material suspended in a thermoplastic matrix, the central part having a continuous periphery forming a predetermined shape and internal portions separated by an array of weight-reducing interior voids, the internal portions are each diagonally oriented relative to the continuous periphery and directly connected to the continuous periphery thereby reinforcing the central part;
- (b) a first and second side part, each side part formed of woven materials embedded in a thermoplastic matrix;
- and
- (c) the central part positioned between the first and second side parts being directly bonded together while in a heated thermoplastic state to form a single, integral structure with the absence of discontinuity across the bond plane of the structure, wherein:
- the spreader beam includes a through hole adapted for attachment of the aircraft seat spreader beam to an aircraft seat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.