Energy-Absorbing Beam Member
First Claim
1. An energy-absorbing (EA) beam member for use in an aircraft having a fuselage and a floor, the EA beam member comprising:
- a cell core structure having cell walls, a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the cell walls collectively define a repeating conusoidal pattern of alternating respective smaller and larger first and second radii along the length of the cell core structure, and wherein the cell walls are angled away from a forward direction of flight of the aircraft at a calibrated lean angle;
a first plate affixed to a first edge of the cell core structure along the length of the cell core structure, wherein the first plate is substantially flat such that the first plate is attachable to the floor; and
a second plate affixed to a second edge of the cell core structure along the length of the cell core structure opposite the first edge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy-absorbing (EA) beam member and having a cell core structure is positioned in an aircraft fuselage proximate to the floor of the aircraft. The cell core structure has a length oriented along a width of the fuselage, a width oriented along a length of the fuselage, and a depth extending away from the floor. The cell core structure also includes cell walls that collectively define a repeating conusoidal pattern of alternating respective larger and smaller first and second radii along the length of the cell core structure. The cell walls slope away from a direction of flight of the aircraft at a calibrated lean angle. An EA beam member may include the cell core structure and first and second plates along the length of the cell core structure on opposite edges of the cell material.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An energy-absorbing (EA) beam member for use in an aircraft having a fuselage and a floor, the EA beam member comprising:
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a cell core structure having cell walls, a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the cell walls collectively define a repeating conusoidal pattern of alternating respective smaller and larger first and second radii along the length of the cell core structure, and wherein the cell walls are angled away from a forward direction of flight of the aircraft at a calibrated lean angle; a first plate affixed to a first edge of the cell core structure along the length of the cell core structure, wherein the first plate is substantially flat such that the first plate is attachable to the floor; and a second plate affixed to a second edge of the cell core structure along the length of the cell core structure opposite the first edge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An energy-absorbing (EA) beam member for use in an aircraft having a fuselage with an annular fuselage skin and a floor, the EA beam member comprising:
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a cell core structure having cell walls constructed of woven carbon and aramid fibers, a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the cell walls collectively define a repeating conusoidal pattern of alternating respective smaller and larger first and second radii along the length of the cell core structure, and wherein the cell walls are angled away from a forward direction of flight of the aircraft at a calibrated lean angle of at least about 2 degrees; a first plate connected to a first edge of the cell core structure along the length of the cell core structure, wherein the first plate is substantially flat; and a second plate connected to a second edge of the cell core structure along the length of the cell core structure opposite the first edge; wherein the first radii are about 30 percent to about 90 percent of the second radii. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An aircraft comprising:
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a fuselage having a width and a length; a floor; and an energy-absorbing (EA) beam member positioned proximate to the floor and having a cell core structure, wherein the cell core structure has a length oriented along the width of the fuselage, a width oriented along the length of the fuselage, and a depth extending away from the floor, and also includes cell walls that collectively define a repeating conusoidal pattern of alternating respective smaller and larger first and second radii along the length of the cell core structure, and wherein the cell walls slope away from a forward direction of flight of the aircraft at a calibrated lean angle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification