IP Library Granted Patent US 10,131,415
Granted Patent B2
US 10,131,415 · App. 14/646,028 · Granted Nov 20, 2018

Airframe leading edge

Inventors: Pontus Nordin (Linköping, SE); Göte Strindberg (Linköping, SE)
Assignee: SAAB AB
B64C1/062B64C1/12B64C3/28B64D2045/0095
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,131,415
App. No.
14/646,028
Granted
Nov 20, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An airframe leading edge part designed to be replaceable fixed to a structural portion which during use moves through the air. The airframe leading edge part includes first and second longitudinal joint edges adapted to fit the structural portion. At least one joint is provided between the structural portion and at least one of the longitudinal joint edges. The joint is adapted to break in the event of a object strikes and deforms the airframe leading edge part during use. The joint is designed to break at beforehand determined maximum joint strength of the joint. Also a repair method for exchanging a damaged leading edge.

Claims (24)

1. An airframe leading edge part designed to be replaceable fixed to a structural portion which during use moves through the air, the airframe leading edge part comprising:

a first longitudinal joint edge and a second longitudinal joint edge adapted to fit the structural portion;

at least one joint between the structural portion and at least one of the longitudinal joint edges, wherein the joint comprises adhesive;

the joint being configured to break in the event of an eventual object strikes and deforms the airframe leading edge part during said use,

the airframe leading edge part being configured to transfer impact energy into a breakaway force, to break away the airframe leading edge part from the structural portion in order to protect the structural portion; and

the joint being designed to break at beforehand determined maximum joint strength of the joint,

whereby the joint is designed to break apart when an impact force is so high that, even though deformation of the airframe leading edge part has occurred due to absorption of the impact energy, the maximum joint strength of the joint is reached span wise.

2. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein a further joint oriented in chordwise direction is designed to break at a joint strength higher than said maximum joint strength.

3. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein the joint is an inclined scarf joint, a butt joint, or a butt strap joint.

4. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises a resin rich zone.

5. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises electrically conductive adhesive or electrically isolating adhesive.

6. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises an additional plastic layer being sanded for achieving a smooth aerodynamic surface also within the area of the joint.

7. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein the airframe leading edge part is one of a plurality of parts joined together via cord wise joints, wherein the parts are made of metal and the structural portion being made of plastic.

8. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein the structural portion comprises an outer skin, the edge of which is adapted to fit the longitudinal joint edge.

9. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 8 , wherein the structural portion is a wing box.

10. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein both the longitudinal joint edges are adapted to break away from the structural portion.

11. The airframe leading edge part according to further comprising:

a first transverse joint edge and a second transverse joint edge adapted to fit a transverse joint edge of an adjacent airframe leading edge part.

12. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 11 , wherein one of the transverse joint edges has longer extension in the transverse direction than another transverse joint edge.

13. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 11 , wherein the airframe leading edge parts are designed to fit a certain type of aircraft, and each airframe leading edge part has an individual design for a certain position of the aircraft.

14. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein the structural portion comprises a wing box and/or an outer wing skin and/or spar cap and/or stiffener, and a thickness of the leading edge part is such that the leading edge part is thicker at a section first meeting the air stream than other sections.

15. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 , wherein the airframe leading edge part and the structural portion are made of plastic comprising reinforcing fibres.

16. The airframe leading edge part according to claim 1 ,

wherein the joint indicates a cut-off-line between the airframe leading edge part and the structural portion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2018
From: NORDIN, PONTUS; STRINDBERG, GÖTE
To: SAAB AB
Reel/Frame 047175/0323 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150298787A1 · Oct 22, 2015