PANEL FOR AN AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE

Abstract

An inflatable panel comprising two flexible face sheets and a core located between the two flexible face sheets, and lateral joining members configured to be joined to an aircraft structure and coupled to the inflatable panel. The lateral joining members cover at least part of the linear contour of the two flexible face sheets and have a first part covering an edge portion adjacent to the contour of one of the face sheets and a second part covering an edge portion adjacent to the contour of the other face sheet.

Claims

1. A panel of an aircraft structure, comprising: an inflatable panel, comprising two flexible face sheets, and a core located between the two flexible face sheets, and lateral joining members configured to be joined to the aircraft structure and coupled to the inflatable panel, the lateral joining members covering at least part of a linear contour of the two flexible face sheets and having a first part covering an edge portion of one of the face sheets adjacent to its contour and a second part covering an edge portion of the other face sheet adjacent to its contour.

2. The panel, according to claim 1, wherein: the first part of the lateral joining members comprises a contour frame in contact with one of the face sheets of the inflatable panel covering an edge portion of the face sheet adjacent to its contour, and the second part of the lateral joining members comprises a skin in contact with the other face sheet of the inflatable panel and covering at least an edge portion of the face sheet adjacent to its contour, the skin being attached to the contour frame, such that the inflatable panel is enclosed between the skin and the contour frame.

3. The panel, according to claim 2, wherein the contour frame comprises a Z-profile, one leg of the Z-profile coupled to the edge portion of the face sheet of the inflatable panel and another leg of the Z-profile configured to be joined to the aircraft structure.

4. The panel, according to claim 2, further comprising a flexible skin covering the face sheet of the inflatable panel coupled to the contour frame, the flexible skin being located between the face sheet and the contour frame.

5. The panel, according to claim 4, wherein a free edge of the flexible skin is located rolled and bonded over a free end of the contour frame configured to be joined to the aircraft structure.

6. The panel, according to claim 2, wherein the contour frame comprises a first element configured to be joined to the aircraft structure, a second element bonded to the edge portions of both face sheets of the inflatable panel and a hook and loop touch fastener located between the first and the second element for joining the first element and the second element.

7. The panel, according to claim 6, wherein the first element is arranged perpendicular to the inflatable panel.

8. The panel, according to claim 2, wherein the skin is a flexible skin.

9. The panel, according to claim 2, wherein the skin is a rigid skin.

10. The panel, according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part of the lateral joining members comprise a flexible skin covering each face sheet of the inflatable panel and two straps joined to free edges of the two flexible skins configured to be attached to the aircraft structure.

11. The panel, according to claim 1, wherein the lateral joining members comprise a U-shaped contour frame having a first leg covering an edge portion of one of the face sheets of the inflatable panel adjacent to its contour and a second leg covering an edge portion of the other face sheet of the inflatable panel adjacent to its contour.

12. The panel, according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable panel comprises a core having drop stitch extending between both face sheets.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. The drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. The drawings comprise the following figures.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a first embodiment of the inflatable panel.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a first embodiment of the inflatable panel and the lateral joining members.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a plan section of a second embodiment of the inflatable panel and the lateral joining members covering part of the linear contour of the flexible face sheet.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of FIG. 3 showing the inflatable panel and an embodiment of the lateral joining members.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a cross section of FIG. 3 showing the inflatable panel and a third embodiment of the lateral joining members.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a plan section of a fourth embodiment of the inflatable panel and the lateral joining members.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows a plan section of a fifth embodiment of the inflatable panel and the lateral joining members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] FIGS. 1 to 7 show several options of the panel object of the invention. Depending on the pressure to be withstood, the load magnitude and direction, and the deformation limit requirement, one or other solutions could be used.

[0041] The core (4) of the inflatable panel (1) can be manufactured with or without drop stitching, depending on the requirements, i.e., the two face sheets (2, 3), named as inner and outer faces (2, 3) are joined or stitched by cords so the final external geometry is the required one. The inflatable panel (1) is made up of flexible sheets in the inner and outer faces (2, 3) and the drop stitching is the feature that gives and keeps the required external shape to the panel (1).

[0042] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment in which an inflatable panel (1) with drop stitch is supported by a contour frame (6) and by a skin (7). The contour frame (6) is in contact with the inner face (2) of the inflatable panel (1) and the skin (7) is in contact with the outer face (3) of the inflatable panel (1), therefore the inflatable panel (1) is enclosed between the skin (7) and the contour frame (6). The skin (7) covers not only the edge portion adjacent to the contour of the face sheet (2) but the entire portion of the face sheet (2).

[0043] The contour frame (6), made of composite material or metal, is the part that connects the inflatable panel (1) and the supporting elements of the main structure of the aircraft.

[0044] The skin (7) is also attached to the contour frame (6), bonded or by any other mean, and can be bonded or not to the inflatable panel (1), depending on the requirements.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a panel (1), including a Z-profile for the contour frame (6) in which one leg of the Z-profile is coupled to the inflatable panel (1) and the other leg is configured to be joined to the aircraft structure. Additionally, FIG. 2 shows a flexible skin (7), although a hard, rigid skin (7) could also be used. The hard skin (7) could be made using metallic or composite materials.

[0046] As an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, some edges of the inflatable panel (1) could be supported, instead that by means of a Z-profile, by other joining means and therefore a combination of several lateral joining members (5) can be made in one panel (1) as depicted in FIG. 3.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment that additionally comprises an inner flexible skin (8) covering the inner face (2) of the inflatable panel (1), the contour frame (6) being located above the inner flexible skin (8). Moreover, the free edge of the inner flexible skin (8) is located rolled and bonded over the free end of the contour frame (6). The joining improves the bonding line and provides a suitable surface for attaching the panel (1) to the aircraft structure.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the contour frame (6) that comprises a first element (9) configured to the be joined to the aircraft structure, a second element (10) bonded to the edge portion adjacent to the contour of both face sheets (2) of the inflatable panel (1) and a hook and loop touch fastener (11) commercially known as Velcro, located between the first (9) and the second (10) element for joining the first element (9) and the second element (10) having the advantage that the removal of the inflatable panel (1) can be done easily.

[0049] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 in which a flexible skin (7) is used have the advantage that in case of inflatable panel (1) puncture or rupture, inner pressure will be lost and will not keep the required shape, but the inflatable panel (1) will not be lost because it is attached to the aircraft structure by the contour frame (6).

[0050] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the lateral joining members (5) comprises two flexible skins (7, 8) covering each face (2, 3) of the inflatable panel (1) and two straps (12) joined to the free edges of the two flexible skins (7, 8). Both flexible skins (7, 8) are bonded to the inflatable panel (1). The group is then attached to the surrounding aircraft structure by bolts located in the straps (12).

[0051] In case of inflatable panel (1) puncture or rupture, inner pressure will be lost, and the inflatable panel (1) will not keep the required shape, but it will not be lost, because it is attached to the main supporting structure of the aircraft by the two straps (12).

[0052] FIG. 7 shows an additional embodiment showing that the lateral joining members (5) comprises a contour frame (6) having a U-shaped enclosing the edges of the inner and outer faces (2, 3) of the inflatable panel (1). Specifically, the contour frame (6) has a first leg covering at least part of the contour of one of the faces (2, 3) of the inflatable panel (1) and a second leg covering at least part of the contour of the other face (2, 3). The structure is then attached to the surrounding aircraft structure by bolts.

[0053] 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.