IP Library Granted Patent US 9,114,868
Granted Patent B2
US 9,114,868 · App. 13/605,884 · Granted Aug 25, 2015

Method of manufacturing a structure comprising a skin and stiffeners

Inventor: Philippe Blot (Nantes, FR)
Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
B64C1/12B29C33/14B29C70/205B29C70/342B29D99/0014B64F5/0009B29C33/76B29K2707/04B29L2031/3082B64C2001/0072Y02T50/433Y10T428/24744
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,114,868
App. No.
13/605,884
Granted
Aug 25, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of manufacturing a structure, in particular an aircraft fuselage of composite materials comprising a skin ( 2 ) and V-section members fastened to the skin ( 2 ) referred to as stiffeners ( 4 ). The method comprises a step of positioning punches on a mandrel in order to form channels between the punches. The channels are disposed in at least two networks ( 6 a, 6 b, 6 c ), each channel of the same network ( 6 a, 6 b, 6 c ) meeting at least one channel of another network at a node ( 8 ). The method also comprises a step of positioning preforms for stiffeners in the channels such that at least two stiffeners ( 4 ) meet at said node ( 8 ) and a step of injecting resin so as to assemble the stiffeners ( 4 ). A structure made as a single piece is thereby obtained.

Claims (12)

1. A method for manufacturing a structure comprising a skin and stiffeners fastened to the skin, comprising:

(a) positioning molding parts on a mandrel in order to form channels between said parts, said channels being disposed in at least two networks, a channel of a network meeting at least one channel of another network at a point referred to as a node;

(b) thereafter, positioning preforms for stiffeners in the channels such that two stiffeners at least meet at said node;

(c) thereafter, injecting resin so as to assemble the stiffeners; and

(d) positioning a substantially circular piece of fabric holed at its center at the location of the node providing a mechanical connection between the stiffeners meeting at each node.

2. A manufacturing method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the surface delimited by the longitudinal extent of a channel of at least one network is not normal to the axis of the mandrel.

3. A manufacturing method according to claim 1 , further comprising positioning stiffener coverings in the channels and a step of positioning reinforcements for stiffeners on said coverings.

4. A manufacturing method according to claim 1 , further comprising skin preform draping on the stiffener preforms.

5. A manufacturing method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the stiffeners have a V-shaped cross-section.

6. A manufacturing method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the reinforcements for the stiffeners are constituted by unidirectional yarns or rovings, and in that a covering for the stiffeners is composed of fabrics or multiaxials.

7. A manufacturing method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the resin is injected into the stiffener preforms between the molding parts, and between the skin preform and the molding parts.

8. A manufacturing method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the injection is carried out by a bag molding method in an autoclave using a diffuser mesh.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2012
From: BLOT, PHILIPPE
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
Reel/Frame 029530/0411 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 11 57928 · Sep 7, 2011 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130108837A1 · May 2, 2013