IP Library Granted Patent US 7,494,092
Granted Patent B2
US 7,494,092 · App. 10/757,419 · Granted Feb 24, 2009

Lightweight structural component in particular for aircraft and method for its production

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,494,092
App. No.
10/757,419
Granted
Feb 24, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

Lightweight structural component including at least one panel and at least one stiffening element oriented one of lengthwise and crosswise. The at least one stiffening element includes two side pieces. Each of the two side pieces is at least partially connected to the panel in a material-locking manner. The two side pieces are connected to the panel at two separate joint zones. A method of producing the lightweight structural component includes milling the at least one panel to form at least one thickened region and joining the two side pieces to the at least one panel at the two separate joint zones. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims (35)

1. A lightweight structural component comprising:

at least one metal panel;

at least one metal stiffening element;

the at least one metal stiffening element comprising two side pieces; and

each of the two side pieces being at least partially connected to the at least one metal panel in a material-locking manner,

wherein the two side pieces are connected to the at least one metal panel at two separate weld joint zones, and

wherein the at least one panel comprises a panel stiffening base having an outer portion and an inner portion arranged between inner surfaces of the two side pieces.

2. A lightweight structural component comprising:

at least one panel;

at least one stiffening element;

the at least one stiffening element comprising two side pieces;

each of the two side pieces being at least partially connected to the at least one panel in a material-locking manner;

the two side pieces being connected to the at least one panel at two separate joint zones; and

the at least one panel comprising a panel stiffening base having an outer portion and an inner portion arranged between inner surfaces of the two side pieces,

wherein the inner portion comprises a thickness d HV that is greater than a thickness d HS of the outer portion and wherein side surfaces of the inner portion rest against or adjacent to inner surfaces of the two side pieces.

3. The component of claim 2 , wherein the two separate joint zones respectively extend at least partially up to the side surfaces of the inner portion.

4. A lightweight structural component comprising:

at least one panel;

at least one stiffening element;

the at least one stiffening element comprising two side pieces;

each of the two side pieces being at least partially connected to the at least one panel in a material-locking manner;

the two side pieces being connected to the at least one panel at two separate joint zones,

wherein the at least one stiffening element comprises the following:

a ratio between a side piece thickness t s in a plane of each joint zone and a thickness d s of the at least one stiffening element comprises approximately 0.5≦t s /d s ≦approximately 1.8;

a ratio between each side piece length s s and a height h s of the at least one stiffening element comprises approximately 0.15≦s s /h s ≦approximately 0.7; and

an angle β between the panel and each joint surface of each joint zone comprises approximately 0°≦β≦ approximately 250°.

5. The component of claim 4 , wherein the at least one stiffening element further comprises the following:

a ratio of each side piece thickness b s0 near a branching of the two side pieces and a side piece thickness t s in a plane of each joint zone comprises approximately 0.28≦b s0 /t s ≦approximately 1.

6. A lightweight structural component comprising:

at least one panel;

at least one stiffening element;

the at least one stiffening element comprising two side pieces;

each of the two side pieces being at least partially connected to the at least one panel in a material-locking manner;

the two side pieces being connected to the at least one panel at two separate joint zones,

wherein the two side pieces comprise tapered surfaces, whereby a thickness of the two side pieces near a bar portion of the at least one stiffening element is less than a thickness of the two side pieces near the two separate joint zones.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 31, 2011
From: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
Reel/Frame 026360/0849 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 26, 2004
From: BRENNER, DR. BERNDT; WINDERLICH, DR. BERND; STANDFUSS, DR. JENS; SCHUMACHER, DR.JORG; BRENNEIS, HARTMUT; ZINK, WALTER
To: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.; AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 015265/0786 →