REPAIR OF COMPOSITE SANDWICH STRUCTURES

• US 20110177285A1
• Filed: 03/28/2011
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX
• Original Assignee: Richard B. Ringler, William Bogue
• Inventors: Bogue, William, Ringler, Richard B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,642,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/117
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/06 using plugs sealing in the hole
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 73/10 using patches sealing on the surface of the article B29C73/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/608 Honeycomb structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1056 Perforating lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1082 Partial cutting bonded sandwich [e.g., grooving or incising]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/66 Interfitted members with external bridging piece
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/236 Honeycomb type cells extend perpendicularly to nonthickness layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24149 Honeycomb-like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24157 Filled honeycomb cells [e.g., solid substance in cavities, etc.]

Abstract

A method of restoring a section of a composite includes the steps of removing an undesirable section of a composite and securing a repair section in the location of the removed undesirable section. One or more covers are secured on at least a portion the repair section to prevent or resist peeling of the repair section.

Claims

1. A composite component comprising:

a honeycomb;

a skin bonded to the honeycomb;

a repair section bonded adjacent the skin; and

at least one cover secured on at least a portion of the repair section to resist peeling of the repair section.

2. The composite component as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover includes a first surface secured on at least the portion of the repair section and a second surface that extends in a direction transverse to the first surface.

3. The composite component as recited in claim 2, wherein the second surface extends into the honeycomb.

4. The composite component as recited in claim 3, further comprising an adhesive that bonds the second surface to the honeycomb.

5. The composite component as recited in claim 1, further comprising an opposing cover adjacent the at least one cover, and a tie cover that bonds the opposing cover and the at least one cover together.

6. The composite component as recited in claim 1, wherein the skin includes first perforations and the cover includes second perforations that are aligned with the first perforations.

7. The composite component as recited in claim 6, wherein the repair section includes perforations aligned with the perforations of the at least one cover.

8. The composite component as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one cover includes a first cover secured on at least the portion of the repair section and tie cover secured on the first cover.

9. The composite component as recited in claim 1, wherein the repair section and the skin are made of substantially the same material.

10. The composite component as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the cover is above a face skin surface, and the remainder is imbedded below the face skin surface.

11. The composite component as recited in claim 1, wherein a wire mesh is bonded over the at least one cover and repair section.