An automated clamp is disclosed including a clamp frame, motorised clamp jaws, and a robot end effector connector. One of the clamp jaws can receive a drilling tool and/or a fastening tool. One of the clamp jaws has a position sensor for detecting a position of the clamp. The clamp forms part of an automated clamping system. The clamping system is used to automatically clamp a rib web to a rib post or integrated rib foot of an aircraft wing box for automated drilling and/or fastening the rib web to a rib post or integrated rib foot.

A flying vehicle comprising a wing ship body having a pair of wing spars secured thereto; and a plurality of hinged wing-rib assemblies disposed along each wing spar that allows the wings to be folded against the body of the flying vehicle. A method for folding or collapsing the wings of a wing-in-ground-effect wing ship comprising providing a wing-in-ground-effect wing ship having a pair of wings, and folding the wings toward and against the body of the wing-in-ground-effect wing ship. A fabric covered wing folding assembly including a pair of wings with each wing having a wing spar and covered by a fabric. A plurality of hinged wing-rib assemblies is disposed along each wing spar that allows the wings to be folded against the body of the aircraft. A method is provided for folding or collapsing the wings of an aircraft.

A panel structure for a vehicle, and especially for an aircraft or spacecraft, includes an area member, especially a skin member, that defines an areal expanse with a first surface and an opposite second surface and having a thickness between the first and second surfaces; and a plurality of elongate stiffener members which are attached to the area member and extend over at least one of the first and second surfaces; wherein at least one of the stiffener members is bifurcated at a bifurcation point into two or more branch stiffener members.

A panel structure for a vehicle, and especially for an aircraft or spacecraft, includes an area member, especially a skin member, that defines an areal expanse with a first surface and an opposite second surface and having a thickness between the first and second surfaces; and a plurality of elongate stiffener members which are attached to the area member and extend over at least one of the first and second surfaces; wherein at least one of the stiffener members is bifurcated at a bifurcation point into two or more branch stiffener members.

A central airfoil box comprising two beams, each beam having a wall pierced with a first bore centered on a first axis, a connecting rod comprising, for each wall, a yoke joint having two flanks arranged on either side of the wall and pierced with a bore. Each yoke joint is fixed to the wall by a fixing system. The fixing system comprises a bearing lodging in the first bore, and being pierced with a second bore centered on a second axis parallel and offset to the first axis, a cylindrical shoulder, secured to and coaxial with the bearing and bearing against the wall, an outer perimeter of the shoulder having a plurality of splines, at least one block fixed to the wall around the first bore and configured to lodge in one of the splines, and a shaft lodging in the second bore and the yoke joint bores.

A central airfoil box comprising two beams, each beam having a wall pierced with a first bore centered on a first axis, a connecting rod comprising, for each wall, a yoke joint having two flanks arranged on either side of the wall and pierced with a bore. Each yoke joint is fixed to the wall by a fixing system. The fixing system comprises a bearing lodging in the first bore, and being pierced with a second bore centered on a second axis parallel and offset to the first axis, a cylindrical shoulder, secured to and coaxial with the bearing and bearing against the wall, an outer perimeter of the shoulder having a plurality of splines, at least one block fixed to the wall around the first bore and configured to lodge in one of the splines, and a shaft lodging in the second bore and the yoke joint bores.

An aircraft wing has a plurality of wing segments mounted on a wing spar by joints that allow relative movement between the spar and the wing segments. Tuning of coefficients of thermal expansion is employed to reduce induced stresses from changes in temperature.

An aircraft wing has a plurality of wing segments mounted on a wing spar by joints that allow relative movement between the spar and the wing segments. Tuning of coefficients of thermal expansion is employed to reduce induced stresses from changes in temperature.

A component, including a part, comprising a honeycomb-like structure formed from at least a seamless resin-infused fiber composite material. The honeycomb-like structure includes a first plurality of cells, and a second plurality of cells, different than the first plurality of cells.

A component, including a part, comprising a honeycomb-like structure formed from at least a seamless resin-infused fiber composite material. The honeycomb-like structure includes a first plurality of cells, and a second plurality of cells, different than the first plurality of cells.