INTERNALLY STIFFENED COMPOSITE PANELS AND METHODS FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE
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Abstract
Internally stiffened composite panels and associated manufacturing methods. In one embodiment, an internally stiffened composite panel includes a first face sheet, a second face sheet offset from the first face sheet, and at least one core portion sandwiched between the first and second face sheets. In one aspect of this embodiment, the composite panel further includes a stiffener disposed between the first and second face sheets adjacent to the core portion. The stiffener can have a first attachment portion attached to the first face sheet, a second attachment portion attached to the second face sheet, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second attachment portions. In another aspect of this embodiment, one or both of the first and second attachment portions is configured to engage a fastener, such as a blind fastener, for attaching a part to the composite panel.
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Citations
77 Claims
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1-37. -37. (canceled)
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38. An aircraft comprising:
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a fuselage; and a wing fixedly attached to the fuselage, wherein at least one of the fuselage and the wing includes a composite panel, the composite panel including; a first face sheet; a second face sheet offset from the first face sheet; at least one core portion extending between the first and second face sheets; and a stiffener disposed between the first and second face sheets at least proximate to the at least one core portion, the stiffener having at least one attachment portion attached to one of the first and second face sheets. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 63, 64)
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43-62. -62. (canceled)
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65. An aircraft comprising:
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a fuselage; and a wing fixedly attached to the fuselage, wherein at least one of the fuselage and the wing includes a composite panel, the composite panel including; a first face sheet offset from a second face sheet; a stiffener having a first attachment portion attached to the first face sheet, a second attachment portion attached to the second face sheet, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second attachment portions; a first core portion positioned between the first and second face sheets on a first side of the stiffener, wherein at least a first portion of the stiffener contacts the first core portion; and a second core portion positioned between the first and second face sheets on a second side of the stiffener opposite to the first side of the stiffener, wherein at least a second portion of the stiffener contacts the second core portion, and wherein the stiffener defines an open passageway extending between the first and second core portions. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68)
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69. A method for manufacturing a composite panel, the method comprising:
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providing a first face sheet; providing a second face sheet; providing a core portion, the core portion having a first core face and a second core face opposite the first core face; providing a stiffener having a first attachment portion, a second attachment portion and an intermediate portion, the second attachment portion being offset from the first attachment portion, and the intermediate portion extending between the first and second attachment portions; positioning the first attachment portion of the stiffener at least proximate to the first face sheet; positioning the first core face of the core portion adjacent to the first face sheet and at least proximate to the stiffener; and positioning the second face sheet at least proximate to the second core face and the second attachment portion of the stiffener. - View Dependent Claims (70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
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Specification