Method of bonding metal skins to internal support structures
First Claim
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1. A method of adhesive bonding a metal skin to an internal structure comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a pair of metal skin panels;
(b) providing means for forming said metal skin panels whereby said skin panels assume and retain a specific contour;
(c) forming a pair of contoured skin panels;
(d) assembling a lattice of discrete ribs and spars to form a rib and spar subassembly inside one of said contoured skin panels so that said rib and spar subassembly contacts the inner surface of said contoured skin panel;
(e) bonding said rib and spar subassembly to the inner surface of said contoured skin panel to form a skin-superstructure assembly;
(f) assembling a pair of said skin-superstructure assemblies; and
(g) bonding said skin-superstructure assemblies together by applying temperature and pressure thereto so that pressure is only applied to said skin-superstructure assemblies along the line of contact between said skin-superstructure assemblies.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for joining a metal skin to an internal structure comprising forming the metal skin to a permanent desired contour; assembling a lattice of ribs and spars and bonding the lattice to the contoured skin and subsequently forming the completed structure by bonding a pair of skin-superstructure assemblies together. Also disclosed is a diaphram designed to apply pressure to the skin only along structurally supported area of the skin to prevent damage.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of adhesive bonding a metal skin to an internal structure comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a pair of metal skin panels; (b) providing means for forming said metal skin panels whereby said skin panels assume and retain a specific contour; (c) forming a pair of contoured skin panels; (d) assembling a lattice of discrete ribs and spars to form a rib and spar subassembly inside one of said contoured skin panels so that said rib and spar subassembly contacts the inner surface of said contoured skin panel; (e) bonding said rib and spar subassembly to the inner surface of said contoured skin panel to form a skin-superstructure assembly; (f) assembling a pair of said skin-superstructure assemblies; and (g) bonding said skin-superstructure assemblies together by applying temperature and pressure thereto so that pressure is only applied to said skin-superstructure assemblies along the line of contact between said skin-superstructure assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification