IP Library Granted Patent US 10,858,090
Granted Patent B2
US 10,858,090 · App. 16/882,878 · Granted Dec 8, 2020

Systems and methods of constructing composite assemblies

Inventors: Ronald J. Measom (Hurst, TX); Mitchell Elvin Rains (Weatherford, TX)
Assignee: BELL TEXTRON INC.
B64C11/26B29C70/342B29C70/446B29C70/86B64C3/185B64C3/20B64C27/473B29L2031/082B64C2027/4736Y02T50/40Y10T29/49337
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,858,090
App. No.
16/882,878
Granted
Dec 8, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A composite assembly has an outer spar component having an outer spar component inner profile, an inner spar component having an inner spar component outer profile substantially complementary to the outer spar component inner profile, and an adhesive disposed between the outer spar component and the inner spar component.

Claims (32)

1. A composite assembly, comprising:

a cured outer spar component comprising a relatively C-shaped portion, an upper end wall that extends vertically upwards from a top of the relatively C-shaped portion, and a lower end wall that extends vertically downwards from a bottom end of the relatively C-shaped portion;

a composite core material substantially in abutment with an inner profile of the cured outer spar component;

an upper composite skin located above the composite core material and abutting the upper end wall of the cured outer spar component; and

a lower composite skin located below the composite core material and abutting the lower end wall of the cured outer spar component.

2. The composite assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cured outer spar component comprises a composite laminate material.

3. The composite assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an inner spar component having an inner spar component outer profile substantially in abutment with the cured outer spar component.

4. The composite assembly of claim 3 , wherein the inner spar component comprises a composite laminate material.

5. The composite assembly of claim 3 , wherein the inner profile of the cured outer spar component substantially circumscribes the inner spar component outer profile.

6. The composite assembly of claim 3 , further comprising an adhesive disposed between the cured outer spar component and the inner spar component.

7. The composite assembly of claim 3 , wherein the inner spar component is cured when the inner spar component is bonded to the cured outer spar component.

8. The composite assembly of claim 3 , further comprising an interior space substantially enveloped by the inner spar component.

9. The composite assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a leading edge assembly disposed on the inner spar component.

10. The composite assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the upper end wall further comprises an upper folded end portion that overlays an upper portion of the cured outer spar component; and

the lower end wall further comprises a lower folded end portion that overlays a lower portion of the cured outer spar component.

11. A composite assembly, comprising:

a cured outer spar component comprising a relatively C-shaped portion, an upper end wall that extends vertically upwards from a top of the relatively C-shaped portion, and a lower end wall that extends vertically downwards from a bottom end of the relatively C-shaped portion;

a composite core material substantially in abutment with an inner profile of the cured outer spar component;

an upper composite skin located above the composite core material and abutting the upper end wall of the cured outer spar component;

a lower composite skin located below the composite core material and abutting the lower end wall of the cured outer spar component;

an inner spar component having an inner spar component outer profile substantially in abutment with the cured outer spar component; and

a leading edge assembly disposed on the inner spar component.

12. The composite assembly of claim 11 , wherein the cured outer spar component comprises a composite laminate material.

13. The composite assembly of claim 11 , wherein the inner spar component comprises a composite laminate material.

14. The composite assembly of claim 11 , wherein the inner profile of the cured outer spar component substantially circumscribes the inner spar component outer profile.

15. The composite assembly of claim 11 , further comprising an adhesive disposed between the cured outer spar component and the inner spar component.

16. The composite assembly of claim 11 , wherein the inner spar component is cured when the inner spar component is bonded to the cured outer spar component.

17. The composite assembly of claim 11 , further comprising an interior space substantially enveloped by the inner spar component.

18. The composite assembly of claim 11 , wherein:

the upper end wall further comprises an upper folded end portion that overlays an upper portion of the cured outer spar component; and

the lower end wall further comprises a lower folded end portion that overlays a lower portion of the cured outer spar component.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2021
From: BELL TEXTRON INC.
To: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 055587/0322 →
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT Recorded Jun 26, 2020
From: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
To: BELL TEXTRON INC.
Reel/Frame 053061/0142 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2020
From: MEASOM, RONALD J.; RAINS, MITCHELL ELVIN
To: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
Reel/Frame 053045/0017 →
Continuity (2)
Division 14015576 · Aug 30, 2013
Related Publication 20200298958A1 · Sep 24, 2020