PRESSURE PLATE ARRANGEMENT, PRODUCTION ARRANGEMENT, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A TRANSITION REGION BETWEEN AERODYNAMIC PROFILE ELEMENTS

Abstract

In order to allow or improve a laminar air flow in a transition region between aerodynamic profile elements, a pressure plate arrangement is proposed. The pressure plate arrangement comprises a pressure plate body and at least one cover strip, in particular a sealing strip. The pressure plate body has an outlet region from which free-flowing sealant can exit during pressing. The cover strip already contains cured sealant and presses the free-flowing sealant flat in order to be able to form the transition region.

Claims

1. A pressure plate arrangement for producing a transition region between a plurality of profile elements, wherein the transition region is configured to allow a laminar fluid flow flowing from a first profile element via the transition region to a second profile element, wherein the pressure plate arrangement is configured for pressing free-flowing or pasty sealant, wherein the pressure plate arrangement comprises a pressure plate body and at least one cover strip, wherein the pressure plate body has an outlet region which is configured to allow the free-flowing or pasty sealant to exit during pressing thereof.

2. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the outlet region is arranged on a longitudinal edge region extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the pressure plate body.

3. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a second outlet region is arranged on a second longitudinal edge region extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the pressure plate body and spaced apart from the longitudinal edge region in a transverse direction of the pressure plate body.

4. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the pressure plate body has a plurality of supporting projections for supporting the pressure plate body on a further element, wherein the supporting projections are arranged spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction of the pressure plate body and delimit outlet gaps of the outlet region between them.

5. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the pressure plate body comprises a pressure plate main body from which the supporting projections project, wherein, as seen in plan view, the pressure plate main body, together with the supporting projections, delimits the outlet gaps only on three sides, wherein, as seen in plan view, the fourth side of the outlet gap is delimited by the further element.

6. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the pressure plate main body, has at least one of a pressure surface for pressing free-flowing or pasty sealant; or a non-stick region comprising a pressure surface, with non-stick properties in relation to the sealant.

7. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the cover strip is releasably fastened to the pressure plate main body.

8. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the cover strip is releasably fastened to the pressure surface.

9. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the pressure plate body has a plurality of positioning projections for positioning the pressure plate body relative to a further element, wherein the positioning projections are arranged spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction of the pressure plate body.

10. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 9, wherein, the positioning projections are arranged with a larger spacing than a spacing of the supporting projections.

11. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 10, wherein, the positioning projections are arranged at an integral multiple of the spacing of the supporting projections, and delimit outlet gaps of the outlet region between them.

12. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a further cover strip is provided which is spaced apart from the cover strip in a longitudinal direction and delimits a filling gap with the cover strip.

13. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a crosslinking device which is configured for at least one of partially crosslinking or curing free-flowing or pasty sealant and which is arranged on the pressure plate main body, wherein the crosslinking device has a heating device for heating free- flowing or pasty sealant in order to partially crosslink or cure the free-flowing or pasty sealant.

14. The pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a crosslinking device which is configured for at least one of partially crosslinking or curing free-flowing or pasty sealant and which is arranged on the pressure plate main body, wherein the crosslinking device has an irradiating device for irradiating free-flowing or pasty sealant in order to partially crosslink or cure the free-flowing or pasty sealant.

15. A device for producing a transition region between a plurality of profile elements, wherein the transition region is configured to allow a laminar fluid flow flowing from a first of the profile elements via the transition region to a second of the profile elements, wherein the device comprises a frame which can be releasably fastened to at least one of the profile elements, a pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1 that is configured for pressing free-flowing or pasty sealant, and a pressing device which is configured to press the pressure plate arrangement in a direction of the profile elements in such a way that free-flowing or pasty sealant at least one of forms a transition region or is partially crosslinked or cured.

16. The device according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of aligning elements which can be releasably fastened to the profile elements and which are configured to interact with the pressure plate arrangement such that the pressure plate arrangement is positionable along a joint portion formed by the profile elements so as to follow the joint portion.

17. A production arrangement for producing a transition region between a plurality of profile elements, wherein the transition region is configured to allow a laminar fluid flow flowing from a first of the profile elements via the transition region to a second of the profile elements, wherein the production arrangement comprises: a plurality of profile elements comprising aerodynamic profile elements which together define a joint portion; and a pressure plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cover strip is arranged at the joint portion.

18. A production method for producing a transition region between a plurality of aerodynamic profile elements, wherein the transition region is configured to allow a laminar fluid flow flowing from a first of the aerodynamic profile elements via the transition region to a second of the aerodynamic profile elements, comprising the following steps: a) arranging the aerodynamic profile elements such that the aerodynamic profile elements define a joint portion; b) applying free-flowing or pasty sealant to the joint portion, and, to form the transition region, pressing the free-flowing or pasty sealant by means of a pressure plate arrangement delimiting an outlet gap for free-flowing or pasty sealant, wherein a quantity of the free-flowing or pasty sealant is dimensioned such that, during pressing, some of the free-flowing sealant exits from the outlet gap as excess sealant; c) partially crosslinking or curing the free-flowing and/or pasty sealant; and d) removing the excess sealant.

19. A method for producing a cover strip for use in a device according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: a) applying free-flowing and/or pasty sealant, which is preferably also used in one of the devices, to a base plate; b) pressing the free-flowing or pasty sealant to a defined thickness by means of a further plate to obtain a plate-shaped free-flowing or pasty sealant; c) partially crosslinking or curing the plate-shaped free-flowing or pasty sealant to form a plate-shaped partially crosslinked or cured sealant; and d) cutting the plate-shaped partially crosslinked or cured sealant to obtain the cover strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0114] Further advantages and effects can result from the exemplary embodiments explained in more detail on the basis of the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0115] FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show an exemplary embodiment of a production method on the basis of cross sections;

[0116] FIG. 7 to FIG. 14 show an exemplary embodiment of a production method on the basis of cross sections;

[0117] FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 show an exemplary embodiment for producing a cover strip;

[0118] FIG. 18 to FIG. 26 show various examples of production arrangements and some variants thereof; and

[0119] FIG. 27 to FIG. 29 show various examples of a production device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0120] Reference is made to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, which show a sequence of production arrangements 10 in cross section. A first profile element 12 and second profile element 14 define a joint portion 16. The first profile element 12 can be a wing body 18, for example. The second profile element 14 can be a wing leading edge module 20 designed for the wing body 18. The wing leading edge module 20 can contain, for example, deicing mechanisms, flow control mechanisms (for example microperforation for HLFC) or the like. Also conceivable is a use of the ideas presented herein on the vertical tail plane (VTP) or the horizontal tail plane (HTP) on the respective bodies and leading edge modules.

[0121] The first profile element 12 is manufactured, for example, from metal or preferably manufactured from (carbon-)fiber-reinforced plastic. The second profile element 14 can be manufactured from light metal, for example aluminum or titanium, or from a light metal alloy. The profile elements 12, 14 can also be parts of a VTP, HTP or of a lift aid.

[0122] As evident in FIG. 1, the joint portion 16 has a groove region 22 and a flat region 24. The groove region 22 has a groove depth which is greater than a flat region depth of the flat region 24. A typical groove depth is, for example, between 3 mm and 10 mm, in particular 5 mm. The flat region depth is, for example, 0.5 mm to 2 mm, in particular 1 mm. A masking 25 is preferably mounted on the raised edges of the groove region 22 and of the flat region 24 and, in particular, at further points at which no pasty sealant is intended to adhere.

[0123] The profile elements 12, 14 can be fastened to one another in a manner known per se, for example by means of bolts or rivets.

[0124] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in one step a free-flowing or pasty filling compound 26 can be applied to a groove bottom 27 of the groove region 22. The filling compound 26 can also be measured in such a way that the groove region 22 is filled. The filling compound 26 can be, for example, a polysulfide-based filling compound or a similar two-component material, in particular two-component material comprising binder and curing agent.

[0125] As particularly evident in FIG. 3, in one step an insert 28 can be inserted into the groove region 22. The quantity of the filling compound 26 is preferably measured such that, together with the insert 28, the groove region 22 is completely filled. The insert 28 can be, for example, a plastic strip comprising epoxy, GRP or CRP. It is also conceivable that the insert 28 is a woven fabric or laid scrim which can be infused with the filling compound 26 or consists exclusively of the filling compound 26.

[0126] As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 24, the insert 28 can have a plurality of centering elements 29 by means of which the insert 28 can be positioned centrally in the groove region 22.

[0127] It is possible by means of a suitable insert 28 and/or suitable filling compound 26 to prevent excess shrinkage (shrinkage during curing, thermally induced shrinkage and/or geometrically induced shrinkage) which could otherwise as a result adversely affect the sought-after surface quality for a laminar fluid flow.

[0128] Furthermore, in one step visible from FIG. 4, an excess quantity of free-flowing or pasty sealant 30 can be applied to the flat region 24, in particular as centrally as possible.

[0129] Furthermore, as evident from FIG. 5, a cover strip 32 is arranged on the flat region 24. The cover strip 32 preferably contains the same sealant as the free-flowing or pasty sealant 30, but it is cured.

[0130] The cover strip 32 is part of a pressure plate arrangement 34 which, in addition to the cover strip 32, comprises a pressure plate body 36. The pressure plate arrangement 34 will be explained in more detail later.

[0131] In the present case, the pressure plate arrangement 34, in particular the pressure plate body 36, in each case defines an outlet gap 40 with each edge 38 of the joint portion 16. The outlet gap 40 is delimited by the pressure plate body 36 on three sides and on the fourth side by each profile element 12, 14.

[0132] The pressure plate arrangement 34 is pressed by means of a production device 42 (also described in more detail later) in the direction of the joint portion 16. Here, excess sealant 44 exits from the outlet gap 40.

[0133] In this state, the free-flowing or pasty sealant 30 is partially crosslinked or cured, for example by thermal activation.

[0134] As illustrated in particular in FIG. 6, the cured excess sealant can then be removed. In addition, the processed joint portion 16 can also be levelled in order to obtain the desired surface quality. The masking 25 can then be removed.

[0135] Overall, this procedure provides a transition region 46 which has considerably improved laminar flow properties.

[0136] This procedure is also applicable to those points of aircraft that were unable to be treated hitherto. It is thus also possible for points which were unable to be coated hitherto now to be provided with a protective coating layer. Furthermore, the laminar flow behavior can also be improved at these points. In addition, the procedure described herein can shorten the manufacturing or repair time. It is thus possible for instance for the insert 28 to be seized at one end and removed from the groove region 22. Here, the cured sealant 52 and hence the cover strip 32 are seized by the insert 28 such that the transition region 46 can be exposed overall over its whole area. Consequently, a replacement or an inspection of one of the profile elements 12, 14 is possible without relatively great effort. The joint portion 16 can then be newly treated again and provided with the transition region 46.

[0137] Reference will be made below to FIG. 7 to FIG. 14, which show a sequence of production arrangements 10 in cross section.

[0138] A first profile element 12 and second profile element 14 define a joint portion 16. The first profile element 12 can be a wing body 18, for example. The second profile element 14 can be a wing leading edge module 20 designed for the wing body 18. The wing leading edge module 20 can contain, for example, deicing mechanisms, flow control mechanisms or the like.

[0139] The first profile element 12 is preferably manufactured from (carbon-)fiber-reinforced plastic. The second profile element 14 can be manufactured from light metal, for example aluminum or titanium, or from a light metal alloy. The profile elements 12, 14 can also be parts of a VTP, HTP or of a lift aid.

[0140] As evident from FIG. 7, the joint portion 16 has a groove region 22 and a flat region 24. The groove region 22 has a groove depth that is greater than a flat region depth of the flat region 24. A typical groove depth is for example between 3 mm and 10 mm, in particular 5 mm. The flat region depth is for example 0.5 mm to 2 mm, in particular 1 mm.

[0141] The profile elements 12, 14 can be fastened to one another in a manner known per se, for example by means of bolts or rivets.

[0142] As illustrated in FIG. 8, in one step a filling compound 26 can be applied to a groove bottom 27 of the groove region 22. The filling compound 26 can also be measured such that the groove region 22 is filled. The filling compound 26 can be, for example, a polysulfide-based filling compound or a similar two-component material, in particular a two-component material consisting of binder and curing agent.

[0143] As evident in particular in FIG. 9, in one step an insert 28 can be inserted into the groove region 22. The quantity of the filling compound 26 is preferably measured such that, together with the insert 28, the groove region 22 is completely filled. The insert 28 can be, for example, a plastic strip consisting of epoxy, GRP or CRP. It is also conceivable that the insert 28 is a woven fabric or laid scrim which can be infused with the filling compound 26 or consists exclusively of filling compound 26.

[0144] It is possible by means of a suitable insert 28 and/or suitable filling compound 26 to prevent excess shrinkage which could otherwise as a result adversely affect the sought-after surface quality for a laminar fluid flow.

[0145] Furthermore, in one step visible from FIG. 10 and FIG. 22, an excess quantity of free-flowing or pasty sealant 30 can be applied to the side of the groove region 22, in particular directly above the groove region 22.

[0146] Furthermore, as evident in FIG. 11, a pressure plate arrangement 34 is arranged on the side of the groove region 22. The pressure plate arrangement 34 contains a cover strip 32. The cover strip 32 preferably contains the same sealant as the free-flowing sealant 30, but it is cured. The cover strip 32 is then also referred to as a sealing strip.

[0147] The pressure plate arrangement 34 also comprises, in addition to the cover strip 32, a pressure plate body 36. The pressure plate arrangement 34 is placed, on the side of the groove region 22, onto the edge of the joint portion 16 and, as illustrated in more detail in FIG. 12, tilted in the direction of the other edge of the joint portion 16, with the result that the free-flowing sealant 30 is pressed from the groove region 22 along the flat region 24 to the other edge of the joint portion 16. The pressure plate arrangement 34 can then be fixed.

[0148] In the present case, the pressure plate arrangement 34, in particular the pressure plate body 36, defines an outlet gap 40 with the edge 38 of the joint portion 16 that faces away from the groove region 22, as illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 21. The outlet gap 40 is delimited by the pressure plate body 36 on three sides and on the fourth side by the second profile element 14. Excess sealant 44 therefore exits from the outlet gap 40.

[0149] In this state, the free-flowing sealant 30 is cured, for example by thermal activation.

[0150] As illustrated in particular in FIG. 14, the cured excess sealant can then be removed. In addition, the processed joint portion 16 can also be ground in order to obtain the desired surface quality.

[0151] Overall, this procedure provides a transition region 46 which has considerably improved laminar flow properties.

[0152] Reference will be made below to FIG. 15 to FIG. 17. To produce the cover strip 32, free-flowing sealant 30 can be applied to a base plate 48, for example a metal plate (in particular aluminum plate). The base plate 48 can have a non-stick surface, for example in the form of a PTFE film 49. A further plate 50 is applied to the base plate 48, with the result that the plate 50 covers the free-flowing sealant 30. Spacers set the desired gap size between the base plate 48 and the plate 50 in order to achieve the desired thickness of the cover strip 32. The free-flowing sealant 30 is then cured. The then at least partially cured sealant 52 is then also cut to the desired size in order to obtain the cover strip 32 as sealing strip.

[0153] Reference will be made below to FIG. 18 to FIG. 26, which show variants of the production arrangement 10.

[0154] The production arrangement 10 comprises a pressure plate arrangement 34 having a sealing strip 32 and a pressure plate body 36. The pressure plate body 36 has, on one of its longitudinal edges 54, an outlet region 56 in which, upon interaction with the profile elements 12, 14, a plurality of outlet gaps 40 are defined. The pressure plate body 36 has a pressure plate main body 58 from which there project a plurality of supporting projections 60 which are distributed along the longitudinal edge 54 and are spaced apart from one another. The pressure plate main body 58 has a pressure surface 62 by means of which the free-flowing sealant 30 can be pressed. Furthermore, a non-stick region 66 formed by a non-stick coating 64 can be provided on the pressure plate main body 58, in particular on the pressure surface 62. The non-stick region 66 has a non-stick property in relation to the sealant (partially crosslinked or cured and/or free-flowing).

[0155] As illustrated in FIG. 23, FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, the pressure plate arrangement 34 can also have the outlet region 56 on each longitudinal edge 54. Likewise, the supporting projections 60 on each longitudinal edge 54 can project from the pressure plate main body 58. Furthermore, positioning projections 68, which are designed to be longer than the supporting projections 60, can project from the respective ends. The positioning projections 68 can also be distributed along the longitudinal edge 54. Furthermore, the positioning projections 68 can also be used as supporting projections 60.

[0156] As evident in particular in FIG. 23, there can also be provided a plurality of cover strips 32 which define a filling gap 70 between them. Pressing the free-flowing sealant 30 causes the filling gap 70 to correspondingly fill.

[0157] Furthermore, FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 illustrate the outlet regions 56 for sealants of different viscosity. High-viscosity sealants are preferably pressed by the pressure plate body 36 in FIG. 25, whereas low-viscosity sealants are preferably pressed by the pressure plate body 36 from FIG. 26. The variants differ substantially in terms of the different size of the outlet regions 56 which define the outlet gaps 40, with the result that the outlet gaps 40 for high-viscosity sealants are larger than for low-viscosity sealants.

[0158] An example of the production device 42 which is used when producing the transition region 46 is explained by way of FIG. 27 to FIG. 29.

[0159] The production device 42 comprises a frame 74 which is releasably fastened to the profile elements 12, 14 by means of suction cups 76 or magnets 78, for example. The frame 74 can be formed from tubes 80 which are welded to one another or assembled by means of fittings.

[0160] The frame 74 preferably has a pressing device 82 fastened thereto, with it being possible for each of the latter to have a movable element 84 for generating a pressing-on force. The movable element 84 can comprise, for example, a spring, a spring mechanism, a pneumatic and/or hydraulic cylinder or an (electric) motor. The pressing device 82 exerts the pressing-on force on the pressure plate arrangement 34. The pressing device 82 is preferably movable in the vertical direction. In a variant, the pressing device 82 can hold the pressure plate arrangement 34 such that the pressure plate arrangement 34 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

[0161] Furthermore, the production device 42 can have a plurality of aligning elements 86 which can likewise be releasably fastened to the profile elements 12, 14 or are fastened to the frame 74. The aligning elements 86 are designed such that they interact with the pressure plate arrangement 34, in particular the positioning projections 68, in such a way that the pressure plate arrangement 34 is positioned along the entire length of the joint portion 16.

[0162] The pressure plate arrangement 34 can be configured such that, by virtue of the pressing-on, it is adapted to the 3D shape of the joint portion 16 or of the profile elements 12, 14.

[0163] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0164] 10 Production arrangement
12 First profile element (further element)
14 Second profile element (further element)
16 Joint portion
18 Wing body
20 Wing leading edge module
22 Groove region
24 Flat region

25 Masking

[0165] 26 Filling compound
27 Groove bottom

28 Insert

[0166] 29 Centering element
30 Free-flowing sealant
32 Cover strip
34 Pressure plate arrangement
36 Pressure plate body

38 Edge

40 Outlet gap

[0167] 42 Production device
44 Excess sealant
46 Transition region
48 Base plate
49 PTFE film

50 Plate

[0168] 52 Cured sealant
54 Longitudinal edge
56 Outlet region
58 Pressure plate main body
60 Supporting projection
62 Pressure surface
64 Non-stick coating
66 Non-stick region
68 Positioning projection

70 Filling gap

74 Frame

76 Suction cup

78 Magnet

80 Tube

[0169] 82 Pressing device
84 Movable element
86 Aligning element