Multi-functional aircraft structures
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A structure comprising:
- a composite structure configured for use in or on an aircraft, the composite structure selected from the group consisting of;
a stringer of the aircraft, a floor panel of the aircraft, a cryogenic tank installed on the aircraft, a spar of the aircraft, and a rib of the aircraft;
a filler material disposed within and abutting all first inner walls of the composite structure;
a first barrier material secured to second inner walls of the filler material, the second inner walls being further within the composite structure relative to the first inner walls, and third inner walls of the first barrier material defining a first channel inside the composite structure; and
a second barrier material secured to fourth inner walls of the filler material, the fourth inner walls being further within the composite structure relative to the first inner walls, and fifth inner walls of the second barrier material defining a second channel inside the composite structure;
wherein at least one of a number of fiber optic cables, a number of power lines, a number of wires, and a number of data lines is located in one of the first channel and the second channel.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite structure. A filler material with a barrier material for a channel in the filler material is formed. A composite material and the filler material with the barrier material are laid up onto a tool in a shape of the composite structure. The composite material and the filler material in the shape of the composite structure are cured.
182 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A structure comprising:
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a composite structure configured for use in or on an aircraft, the composite structure selected from the group consisting of;
a stringer of the aircraft, a floor panel of the aircraft, a cryogenic tank installed on the aircraft, a spar of the aircraft, and a rib of the aircraft;a filler material disposed within and abutting all first inner walls of the composite structure; a first barrier material secured to second inner walls of the filler material, the second inner walls being further within the composite structure relative to the first inner walls, and third inner walls of the first barrier material defining a first channel inside the composite structure; and a second barrier material secured to fourth inner walls of the filler material, the fourth inner walls being further within the composite structure relative to the first inner walls, and fifth inner walls of the second barrier material defining a second channel inside the composite structure;
wherein at least one of a number of fiber optic cables, a number of power lines, a number of wires, and a number of data lines is located in one of the first channel and the second channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A structure comprising:
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a composite structure configured for use in or on an aircraft, the composite structure selected from the group consisting of;
a stringer of the aircraft, a floor panel of the aircraft, a cryogenic tank installed on the aircraft, a spar of the aircraft, and a rib of the aircraft, wherein the composite structure has a first trapezoid shape;a filler material disposed within and abutting all first inner walls of the composite structure, wherein the filler material has a second trapezoid shape; and a barrier material secured to second inner walls of the filler material, the second inner walls being further within the composite structure relative to the first inner walls, and third inner walls of the barrier material defining a first channel inside the composite structure, wherein the barrier material has a third trapezoid shape;
wherein at least one of a number of fiber optic cables, a number of power lines, a number of wires, and a number of data lines is located in the first channel.
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12. A structure comprising:
a composite structure configured for use in or on an aircraft, the composite structure selected from the group consisting of;
a stringer of the aircraft, a floor panel of the aircraft, a cryogenic tank installed on the aircraft, a spar of the aircraft, and a rib of the aircraft, the composite structure having disposed therein a filler material and a barrier material, a channel being defined inside the barrier material, the filler material disposed only on one side of the barrier material, the filler material abutting the barrier material and outside the channel, wherein at least one of a number of fiber optic cables, a number of power lines, a number of wires, and a number of data lines is located in the channel.- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
Specification