IP Library Granted Patent US 8,100,361
Granted Patent B2
US 8,100,361 · App. 12/331,833 · Granted Jan 24, 2012

Hull structure

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,100,361
App. No.
12/331,833
Granted
Jan 24, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hull structure is provided, for use in particular in an aircraft or spacecraft, the hull structure including an outer skin and structural components which are connected to said skin, as well as an inner lining which forms a supporting structure together with the outer skin and the structural components.

Claims (19)

1. Hull structure, for use in particular in an aircraft or spacecraft, the hull structure comprising an outer skin and structural components connected to said outer skin as well as an inner lining which forms a supporting structure together with the outer skin and the structural components;

wherein the structural components are fixed to the outer skin and the lining is fixed to the structural components by one or more of adhesion, rivets, screws, or welding; and

wherein the lining and the structural components comprise at least one or more of composite materials, a metal, a metal alloy, or a combination of composite materials and a metal or metal alloy.

2. Hull structure according to claim 1 , wherein the structural components comprise stringers and formers, the stringers and/or formers being configured as a hollow profile.

3. Hull structure according to claim 2 , wherein the hollow profiles and/or the system lines are provided with suitable insulation on the inside and/or outside.

4. Hull structure according to claim 2 , wherein the stringers and/or formers are configured as an omega and/or Y-shaped hollow profile.

5. Hull structure according to claim 1 , wherein system lines, for cxamplc, can be fed through at least some or all of the hollow profiles.

6. Hull structure according to claim 5 , wherein the system lines comprise electrical lines and/or cables for conveying liquid or gaseous media.

7. Hull structure according to claim 5 , wherein the system lines are surrounded by a tube and/or a fabric at least in at least one or more portions or substantially over the entire length, the tube and/or the fabric being configured so as to be resilient or at least resilient in part.

8. Hull structure according to claim 7 , wherein the tube and/or fabric comprise at least one or more composite materials, such as CFRP, GFRP, AFC, GLARE and/or HSS-GLARE.

9. Hull structure according to claim 1 , wherein at least one device for measuring signal propagation times in the system lines is provided.

10. Hull structure according to claim 9 , wherein the signal propagation times are recorded.

11. Hull structure according to claim 1 , wherein the outer skin, the structural components and/or the lining consist of at least one or more composite materials, such as CFRP, GFRP, AFC, GLARE and/or HSS-GLARE.

12. Hull structure according to claim 1 , wherein the outer skin, the structural components and/or the lining comprise a metal or a metal alloy, or consist of a combination of metal or a metal alloy and at least one or more composite materials, such as CFRP, GFRP, AFC, GLARE and/or HSS-GLARE.

13. Hull structure according to claim 12 , wherein the outer skin, the structural components and/or the lining comprise a metal or a metal alloy, made of aluminum, steel, and/or titanium.

14. Hull structure according to claim 1 , wherein the lining is fixed to the structural components by means of adhesion, rivets, screws and/or a welding.

15. Aircraft having at least one hull structure according to claim 1 .

16. Aircraft according to claim 15 , wherein the aircraft comprises a measuring, recording and analysing device for measuring, recording and analysing the signal propagation time of signals sent through system lines, for example in hollow profiles.

17. Aircraft according to claim 16 , wherein a maintenance cycle for the aircraft is determined or adjusted based on the signal propagation times.

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 Jan 23, 2009
From: GRAUERHOLZ, THOMAS
To: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 022158/0592 →