IP Library Granted Patent US 8,634,177
Granted Patent B2
US 8,634,177 · App. 13/418,865 · Granted Jan 21, 2014

Coupling structure for airframe components

Inventors: Koji Kawahara (Tokyo, JP); Hideo Yamakoshi (Tokyo, JP); Yuichiro Kamino (Tokyo, JP); Atsuhiro Iyomasa (Tokyo, JP); Toru Hashigami (Aichi, JP)
Assignee: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,634,177
App. No.
13/418,865
Granted
Jan 21, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a coupling structure for airframe components that is capable of ensuring sufficient lightning protection capability. A conductive pattern part 40 made of a conductive material is formed around each fastener member 24 between wing surface panels 21 A and 21 B. The conductive pattern part 40 is formed, for example, around each of holes 21 c and 21 d on the plane on which the wing surface panel 21 A and the wing surface panel 21 B abut against each other. Then, the conductive pattern part 40 is pushed against both the wing surface panel 21 A and the wing surface panel 21 B by the fastening power of the fastener members 24 , whereby electrical conduction between the wing surface panel 21 A and the wing surface panel 21 B can be achieved.

Claims (24)

1. A coupling structure for airframe components, comprising:

a fastener member that fastens a first panel member and a second panel member, the first panel member and the second panel member constituting an airframe of an aircraft and being placed on top of each other in an overlapped portion, the first panel member being located at an inner side of the airframe in the overlapped portion, the second panel member being located at an outer side of the airframe in the overlapped portion, and the fastener member being inserted into a through-hole formed in the overlapped portion;

a conductive area that is formed of a conductive material at an interface between the first panel member and the second panel member in a first part of the overlapped portion; and

an insulating area that is formed of an insulating material at the interface in a second part of the overlapped portion,

wherein the insulating area is located in the overlapped portion between an end part of the first panel member and the conductive area.

2. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 , wherein

an outer surface of the fastener member is contact with an inner surface of the through-hole, and the fastener member electrically connects to the first panel member and the second panel member.

3. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein

the conductive area is formed in a belt-like pattern along the end part of the first panel member.

4. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein

a plurality of the fastener members are arranged in a plurality of lines along the end part of the first panel member, and

the conductive area is located in outer peripheral parts of the fastener members that are arranged in one of the plurality of lines that is farthest from the end part of the first panel member.

5. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 4 , wherein

the conductive area is formed in a ring-shaped pattern around each of the outer peripheral parts of the fastener members arranged in the farthest line.

6. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 , wherein the end part of the first panel member and an end part of the second panel member are both located in the overlapped portion.

7. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive area is formed as a coating.

8. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive area is formed as a layer.

9. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive material has an oxidation resistance.

10. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive material is resistance to oxidation.

11. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 10 , wherein the conductive material comprises a chromate chemical conversion coating.

12. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive area comprises a powered material comprising aluminum.

13. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating area comprises an insulating primer layer.

14. The coupling structure for airframe components according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a fillet seal comprising a sealant applied to a boundary portion between the end part of the first panel member and the second panel member.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded May 22, 2024
From: MSJ ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
To: MSJ ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Reel/Frame 067488/0058 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded May 22, 2024
From: MSJ ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
To: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 067488/0099 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 22, 2024
From: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
To: MSJ ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Reel/Frame 067489/0244 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2012
From: KAWAHARA, KOJI; YAMAKOSHI, HIDEO; KAMINO, YUICHIRO; IYOMASA, ATSUHIRO; HASHIGAMI, TORU
To: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027982/0105 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2011-55999 · Mar 14, 2011 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120234977A1 · Sep 20, 2012