SHAPED COMPOSITE STRINGERS AND METHODS OF MAKING
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for fabricating a composite stringer on a composite panel, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing a form on a first surface of the composite panel;
draping a composite material over the form so as to form a lay up;
enclosing the composite panel and lay up-covered forms with a vacuum bag; and
consolidating the lay up to the composite panel so as to form a stringer wherein the stringer is characterized by a profile having a first stringer side and a second stringer side, wherein the first stringer side extends from a stringer top through a first stringer leg and a second stringer side extends from the stringer top through a second stringer leg, the first stringer side and second stringer side each extending in a continuous curve from the stringer top through a respective stringer leg and wherein the curve of each stringer side is characterized by at least one inflection point such that the curve of each stringer side is characterized by at least a first convex section and at least a first concave section.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stiffened skin panel of an aircraft that includes an aircraft skin panel of composite material and a composite stringer consolidated with the aircraft skin panel. The stringer has a pair of stringer sides, each extending from a stringer top to a stringer leg. The stringer sides may each extend through a wide radius, smooth continuous curve to a stringer leg. The wide radius, smooth continuous curve may be proximate the base of the stringer side in a region where the stringer side transitions to the stringer leg.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for fabricating a composite stringer on a composite panel, the method comprising the steps of:
placing a form on a first surface of the composite panel; draping a composite material over the form so as to form a lay up; enclosing the composite panel and lay up-covered forms with a vacuum bag; and consolidating the lay up to the composite panel so as to form a stringer wherein the stringer is characterized by a profile having a first stringer side and a second stringer side, wherein the first stringer side extends from a stringer top through a first stringer leg and a second stringer side extends from the stringer top through a second stringer leg, the first stringer side and second stringer side each extending in a continuous curve from the stringer top through a respective stringer leg and wherein the curve of each stringer side is characterized by at least one inflection point such that the curve of each stringer side is characterized by at least a first convex section and at least a first concave section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
11. A method for fabricating a composite stringer on a composite panel, the method comprising the steps of:
-
positioning a first surface of the composite panel on a mold tool; placing a form on a second surface of the composite panel, wherein the form is one of a bladder or a mandrel; draping a composite material over the form so as to form a lay up; enclosing the composite panel and lay up-covered forms with a vacuum bag; and consolidating the lay up to the composite panel with heat and pressure so as to form a stringer wherein the stringer is characterized by a profile having a first stringer side and a second stringer side, wherein the first stringer side extends from a stringer top through a first stringer leg and a second stringer side extends from the stringer top through a second stringer leg, the first stringer side and second stringer side each extending in a continuous curve from the stringer top through a respective stringer leg and wherein the curve of each stringer side is characterized by at least one inflection point such that the curve of each stringer side is characterized by at least a first convex section and at least a first concave section. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of fabricating a composite panel with a composite stringer, the method comprising:
-
determining location and spacing of stringers on a composite panel; positioning the composite panel on a mold tool; laying down on the composite panel, at determined locations and spacing, forms conforming to a shape of the stringers to be formed; preparing lay ups of composite material for forming into stringers; laying a prepared lay up of composite material over each of the forms; enclosing at least the composite panel and lay up-covered forms with a vacuum bag; and consolidating the stringers to the composite panel under heat and pressure so as to produce a stiffened composite panel, wherein the stringer is characterized by a profile having a first stringer side and a second stringer side, wherein the first stringer side extends from a stringer top through a first stringer leg and a second stringer side extends from the stringer top through a second stringer leg, the first stringer side and second stringer side each extending in a continuous curve from the stringer top through a respective stringer leg and wherein the curve of each stringer side is characterized by at least one inflection point such that the curve of each stringer side is characterized by at least a first convex section and at least a first concave section. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
Specification