IP Library Granted Patent US 7,997,534
Granted Patent B2
US 7,997,534 · App. 11/974,246 · Granted Aug 16, 2011

Connecting structure for an aircraft or spacecraft and method for producing the same

Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,997,534
App. No.
11/974,246
Granted
Aug 16, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting structure for an aircraft or spacecraft, with a structural component and a stringer. The stringer is connected to the structural component by means of connecting regions. In order to reduce stress peaks that result for example from impact in the structural component, a high impact material is introduced into at least one of the connecting regions to provide a local increase in the energy absorbing capacity of the at least one connecting region.

Claims (22)

1. A connecting structure for an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising a structural component and a stringer, which is connected to the structural component by at least one first connecting region and at least one second connecting region respectively,

Wherein the first connecting region has a high impact material for an increased energy absorbing capacity of the first connecting region, the second connecting region does not have the high impact material, wherein the high impact material is a thermoplastic material, and

wherein the stringer is in direct contact with the structural component at the second connecting region.

2. The connecting structure according to claim 1 , wherein the structural component comprises a fiber composite material or the stringer comprises a fiber composite material.

3. The connecting structure according to claim 2 , wherein the thermoplastic material has a greater thermoplastic component than the respective fiber composite materials.

4. The connecting structure according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic component of the thermoplastic material amounts to between 5% and 100%.

5. The connecting structure according to claim 1 , wherein the stringer comprises a foot portion for resting on the structural component or a web portion, which is aligned substantially perpendicularly in relation to the structural component.

6. The connecting structure according to claim 5 , wherein the high impact material is arranged in the end region of the foot portion that is facing away from the web portion or in the region of the foot portion that is adjacent to the web portion.

7. The connecting structure according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic material is a sheet-like textile formation, laid fiber fabric or crosslinked thermoplastic grains.

8. A method for producing a connecting structure for an aircraft or spacecraft, with the following method steps:

Providing a structural component and a stringer, which can be connected to one another by at least one first connecting region and at least one second connecting region;

introducing a high impact material into the first connecting region to provide a local increase in the energy absorbing capacity of the first connecting region; and

joining together the structural component and the stringer by the connecting regions,

wherein the second connecting region does not have the high impact material and the stringer is in direct contact with the structural component at the second connecting region.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the high impact material is a thermoplastic material.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the thermoplastic component of the thermoplastic material is chosen to be, in terms of percentages by weight, between 5% and 100%.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the thermoplastic component of the thermoplastic material is chosen to be, in terms of percentages by weight, between 50% and 80%.

12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the arrangement comprising the structural component, the stringer and the connecting regions are cured by pressure or heat to form the connecting structure.

13. The method according to claim 8 , wherein a resin matrix, in particular an epoxy resin, is introduced into the structural component and the stringer.

14. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the structural component or the stringer is provided as a semifinished fiber product, prepreg material or at least partially cured fiber composite material.

15. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the high impact material is arranged between a foot portion of the stringer and the structural component.

16. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the high impact material is introduced as a sheet-like textile formation, laid fiber fabric, powder or aerosol.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 28, 2011
From: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
Reel/Frame 026192/0473 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2008
From: EBERTH, ULRICH
To: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 020390/0885 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60851497 · Oct 13, 2006
Related Publication 20080210824A1 · Sep 4, 2008