METHOD FOR REPAIRING A COMPOSITE PROFILE

Abstract

A method for repairing a composite profile section having a fault includes processes that involve producing a composite repair part by placing a soft composite repair composition in a mold having a configuration that is identical to a corresponding configuration of the profile section to be repaired, or on an identical zone of the profile section to be repaired, hardening the repair composition, and affixing the repair part that is obtained onto the profile section including a fault.

Claims

1. A method for repairing a composite profile including a defect, the method comprising producing a composite repair patch by disposing an uncured composite repair composition in a mold having a configuration substantially identical to a corresponding configuration of the composite profile to be repaired, or on a substantially identical area of the composite profile to be repaired, hardening the uncured composite repair composition to form the composite repair patch, and affixing the composite repair patch obtained on the composite profile including the defect, wherein the composite repair patch comprises plies of a fabric of synthetic fibers embedded in a resin, a number and positioning of the plies being adapted to load paths to which the composite repair patch is subjected once affixed on the composite profile.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0014] In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a section of composite profile having a defect to which the teachings of the present disclosure are applied;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a sectional view according to the line II-II of FIG. 1 to which the teachings of the present disclosure are applied;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a mold section containing a composite repair patch under production according to the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a sectional view according to the line IV-IV of FIG. 3; and

[0019] FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 after placing the composite repair patch according to the present disclosure.

[0020] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0022] With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the method according to the present disclosure is intended to provide the repair of a composite profile, here a bent U-shaped profile 1, including a defect, here a tear 2 (or delamination, or other damage to the U-shaped profile 1).

[0023] The U-shaped profile 1 is represented in the position it occupies when it is integrated into a structure (non-represented), for example an aircraft turbine engine support nacelle. The profile has a U-shaped configuration opening downwards and is curved about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis.

[0024] According to the present disclosure, a composite repair patch 3 is produced by disposing an uncured composite repair composition, which includes plies embedded in an uncured resin, in a mold 4 having a configuration substantially identical to the configuration of the profile to be repaired. In this case, the mold 4 includes a groove 5 which has generally the same configuration as the inner surface 6 of the U-shaped profile 1 but which opens upwards. Under these conditions, the uncured (soft) composite repair composition conforms to the configuration of the groove 5, and after hardening, the composite repair patch 3 can be affixed in the U-shaped profile 1 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The composite repair patch 3 thus comprises plies of a fabric of fibers, which in one form may be synthetic fibers, embedded in a resin.

[0025] Alternatively, the uncured composite repair composition can be disposed directly on an identical area of the profile to be repaired. This profile is then fulfilling the mold function.

[0026] The placing of staged fabric plies, with respect to a metal reinforcement solution, allows further reducing extra stiffness with respect to a metal reinforcement solution.

[0027] Of course, the present disclosure is not limited to the described implementation mode and alternative forms can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] Particularly, although the present disclosure has been described in relation to a profile to be repaired having a U-shaped profile, it is applicable to any profile made of a composite material whose configuration does not allow direct access to the defect to be repaired, or whose geometry does not allow a conventional repair, or including a riveted reinforcement for improved mechanical strength.

[0029] Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values indicating mechanical/thermal properties, compositional percentages, dimensions and/or tolerances, or other characteristics are to be understood as modified by the word about or approximately in describing the scope of the present disclosure. This modification is desired for various reasons including industrial practice, material, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances, and testing capability.

[0030] As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.

[0031] The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.