A fuselage structure for an aircraft has a frame structure, which extends in a circumferential direction and has a first connecting section and a second connecting section, which is arranged spaced apart from the first connecting section, a reinforcing structure, which extends between the first and the second connecting sections and is connected respectively to the first and the second connecting sections, an outer shell, which is secured on an outer side of the reinforcing structure, and an inner shell, which is secured on an inner side of the reinforcing structure. The reinforcing structure has a profiled cross section when viewed in a longitudinal direction extending transversely to the circumferential direction and, together with the inner shell and the outer shell, forms a plurality of channels, which are adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction and each extend in the longitudinal direction.

Embodiments are directed to an aircraft fuselage comprises two keel beams and two roof beams. Each keel beam is formed as a single component having no joints. Each keel beam comprises a first portion that is configured to define a floor of an aircraft and a second portion that is configured to define a tail section of an aircraft. The second portion is positioned at an angle relative to the first portion. Each roof beam is coupled to the second portion of a corresponding keel beam at a point remote from the first portion. Each roof beam and a corresponding keel beam are positioned along a single butt line relative to an aircraft fuselage centerline. Frame members are coupled to both keel beams and both roof beams.

A composite structural member including at least one first flange element made from a first composite material, and at least one first web element made from a second composite material. The at least one first web element is connected to at least one first flange element in a non-coplanar manner along a corresponding mutual first edge via a first corner element made from a third composite material, the mutual first edge extending along a first direction. The third composite material includes a corresponding first plurality of third composite material first fibers and a corresponding second plurality of third composite material second fibers embedded in a corresponding third composite material matrix in a non-parallel orientation with respect to the third composite material first fibers, wherein the third composite material first fibers are nominally orthogonal to the mutual first edge or to the first direction.

An airfoil structure for an aircraft includes a spanwise-extending load-carrying member, a leading-edge structure, a trailing-edge structure, an upper cover, and a lower cover. The load-carrying member is configured to react more than half of all flight loads experienced by the airfoil structure during flight and is configured to have selected stiffness properties selected such that the airfoil structure bends and twists in a predefined manner in response to applied flight loads. The leading-edge structure is configured to form a leading-edge part of an aerodynamic surface of the airfoil structure. The trailing-edge structure is configured to form a trailing edge part of the aerodynamic surface. The upper cover is configured to form an upper part of the aerodynamic surface. The lower cover is configured to form a lower part of the aerodynamic surface.

There is provided a forming apparatus for forming a high contour composite structure. The forming apparatus includes an upper die and a lower die between which a composite charge is formed. The forming apparatus further includes a plurality of load cells, a control system, and an overlay tool assembly coupled to the upper die. The overlay tool assembly has scalloped sections positioned between pairs of the plurality of load cells, and positioned against portion(s) of the composite charge. The composite charge has ply discontinuity features through the one or more portions. The overlay tool assembly denies pressure and a through thickness compaction to the one or more portions of the composite charge during a forming process, to allow one or more plies in the one or more portions to move after the forming process, and to enable in-plane bending of the high contour composite structure in post-forming operations.

An aerofoil shaped body includes a plurality of longitudinal spars, an upper aerofoil cover, and a lower aerofoil cover. The spars and the covers are made of composite laminate material. One of the spars is integrally formed with one of the covers to form a spar-cover such that the composite laminate material of the spar extends continuously into the cover through a fold region created between the spar and the cover. The fold region has a fold axis extending substantially in the longitudinal direction, and the fold axis projected onto two orthogonal planes has curvature in both those planes.

Methods and systems, and components made according to the methods and systems, are disclosed relating to improved methods for fabricating resin-containing composite prepreg materials, wherein the prepreg plies are treated with a particulate material to achieve predetermined spatially variable shear and tack values at a predetermined location on at least one prepreg ply surface of at least one prepreg ply.

A tandem rigid rotor system has a first rigid rotor system and a second rigid rotor system connected by a fuselage. The fuselage has at least one framing member connected between the first rigid rotor system and the second rigid rotor system, such that the framing member is torsionally flexible for controlling yaw of the tandem rigid rotor system. In certain embodiments, multiple framing members are connected between the first rigid rotor system and the second rigid rotor system in parallel. In certain embodiments, the torsional flexibility allows up to 20 degrees of movement away from the lateral axis. In certain embodiments, framing members are vertically and laterally rigid.

A high-lift device comprising an airfoil shaped body having a leading edge and a trailing edge and extending in a spanwise direction configured mainly to generate aerodynamic force; a profile structure arranged to be mounted inside of the airfoil shaped body and extending in spanwise direction of the airfoil shaped body that is configured to provide most of the mechanical strength and stiffness; wherein the airfoil shaped body is provided with an opening extending in spanwise direction at one side through which the profile structure can be fastened and remains accessible inside of the airfoil shaped body.

Methods and apparatuses may include a stiffened beam assembly including a structural beam portion having a web and upper and lower flanges, and at least one continuous stiffening member extending back and forth between the upper and lower flanges on one side of the web, forming one or more trusses or other reinforcing structures. The beam portion and/or the stiffening member(s) may comprise formed sheet metal. The stiffening member(s) may be mechanically attached to the beam portion.