Monolithic structure with redundant load paths
First Claim
1. A load-bearing structure for forming a portion of a boundary on which fluid pressure is exerted, the structure having redundant load paths and comprising:
- a first web having opposite surfaces and an outer periphery;
a first outer attachment structure attached to the outer periphery of the first web;
a redundant second web having opposite surfaces and an outer periphery, the first and second webs being spaced apart with one of said surfaces of the first web opposing one of said surfaces of the second web;
a second outer attachment structure attached to the outer periphery of the second web; and
stiffeners disposed between the first and second webs and attached to the opposing surfaces thereof, the stiffeners being fabricated with at least one of the webs and the attachment structure associated therewith as a monolithic part;
the first and second outer attachment structures being adapted to affix the load-bearing structure to a further structure of said boundary, whereby the load-bearing structure defines multiple load paths from the webs to said further structure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monolithic structure for use as a pressure bulkhead for an aircraft includes a first web, a redundant second web spaced from the first web, stiffeners disposed between and connecting the webs to each other, and first and second outer attachment rings respectively provided on the outer peripheries of the first and second webs for attaching the bulkhead to fuselage structure. One of the webs comprises a pressure web for supporting pressure loading, and the other web defines at least one aperture therethrough. The stiffeners are integrally fabricated along with at least one of the webs and associated attachment ring as a one-piece monolithic part.
61 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A load-bearing structure for forming a portion of a boundary on which fluid pressure is exerted, the structure having redundant load paths and comprising:
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a first web having opposite surfaces and an outer periphery;
a first outer attachment structure attached to the outer periphery of the first web;
a redundant second web having opposite surfaces and an outer periphery, the first and second webs being spaced apart with one of said surfaces of the first web opposing one of said surfaces of the second web;
a second outer attachment structure attached to the outer periphery of the second web; and
stiffeners disposed between the first and second webs and attached to the opposing surfaces thereof, the stiffeners being fabricated with at least one of the webs and the attachment structure associated therewith as a monolithic part;
the first and second outer attachment structures being adapted to affix the load-bearing structure to a further structure of said boundary, whereby the load-bearing structure defines multiple load paths from the webs to said further structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A pressure bulkhead for attachment to fuselage structure of an aircraft so as to bound one end of a pressurized compartment, comprising:
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a forward web having opposite surfaces bounded by an outer periphery of the forward web;
a forward attachment ring connected to the outer periphery of the forward web, the forward web and forward attachment ring being integrally formed as a one-piece structure, the forward attachment ring being adapted to be attached to inner surfaces of the fuselage structure;
an aft web having opposite surfaces bounded by an outer periphery of the aft web;
an aft attachment ring connected to the outer periphery of the aft web, the aft web and aft attachment ring being integrally fabricated as a one-piece structure, the aft attachment ring being adapted to be attached to inner surfaces of the fuselage structure with the aft web axially spaced from the forward web; and
elongate stiffeners disposed between the forward and aft webs and attached to opposing surfaces thereof;
the stiffeners being integrally fabricated with at least one of the forward and aft webs as an integral one-piece structure, whereby the bulkhead provides multiple load paths from the webs to the fuselage structure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification