Deformable shim and mounting arrangement

Abstract

A method of providing a deformable shim that comprises a main structure of an at least partly cellular region. The main structure is compressible by plastic deformation from an initial volume to a deformed volume, wherein the deformed volume is smaller than the initial volume. In a deformed state, the main structure maintains the deformed volume without further or continuing compression force. Further, the main structure is arrangeable between a first aircraft component and a second aircraft component to create a predefined distance between the first and the second aircraft component.

Claims

1. A method for generating a predefined distance between a first and a second aircraft component, comprising the following steps: a) providing a deformable shim in an initial volume; wherein the deformable shim comprises a main structure of an at least partly cellular region; wherein the main structure is compressible by plastic deformation from an initial volume to a deformed volume, wherein the deformed volume is smaller than the initial volume; wherein in a deformed state, the main structure maintains the deformed volume without a continuing compression force; and wherein the main structure is arrangeable between the first aircraft component and the second aircraft component to create the predefined distance between the first and the second aircraft component; and b) compressing the deformable shim from the initial volume to the deformed volume; wherein the deformed volume is smaller than the initial volume; wherein the deformed volume enables the creation of the predefined distance between a first and a second aircraft component; wherein the deformable shim further comprises a filler material infiltratable in the main structure to increase a stiffness of the shim; and wherein the filler material is infiltrated in the main structure after the step of compressing the deformable shim.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second aircraft component are provided and the compressing step is provided in situ with the deformable shim arranged between the first and the second aircraft component.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in step b), a spacer is provided to generate a resulting predefined gap between the first component and the second component.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein a clamp keeps the shim in form during the step of compressing the deformable shim.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the deformable shim further comprises an outer interface layer on the main structure to create mechanical interlocking.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the outer interface layer comprises prepregs to create co-bonding between one of the components and the shim.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least partly cellular region of the main structure is a cellular solid.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the cellular solid comprises at least one of: a sponge material, a foam material and porous lattice structures.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the cellular solid comprises an arrangement of nodes which are connected by ligaments that surround and enclose cells of the cellular solid.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the cellular solid comprises at least one of: open-cell type recesses and closed-cell types of recesses.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least partly cellular region of the main structure is a cellular solid, and wherein the cellular solid comprises an arrangement of nodes which are connected by ligaments that surround and enclose cells of the cellular solid.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the main structure is provided as a lattice or porous structure designed for passive flow of the filler material through capillary action.

13. A method for generating a predefined distance between a first and a second aircraft component, comprising the following steps: a) providing a deformable shim in an initial volume; wherein the deformable shim comprises a main structure of an at least partly cellular region; wherein the at least partly cellular region of the main structure is a cellular solid, which has closed-cell recesses; wherein the main structure is compressible by plastic deformation from an initial volume to a deformed volume, wherein the deformed volume is smaller than the initial volume; wherein in a deformed state, the main structure maintains the deformed volume without a continuing compression force; and wherein the main structure is arrangeable between the first aircraft component and the second aircraft component to create the predefined distance between the first and the second aircraft component; and b) compressing the deformable shim from the initial volume to the deformed volume; wherein the deformed volume is smaller than the initial volume; and wherein the deformed volume enables the creation of the predefined distance between a first and a second aircraft component.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the deformable shim further comprises a filler material infiltratable in the main structure to increase a stiffness of the shim, and wherein the filler material is infiltrated in the main structure after the step of compressing the deformable shim.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein in step b), a spacer is provided to generate a resulting predefined gap between the first component and the second component, and wherein a clamp keeps the shim in form during the step of compressing the deformable shim.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the deformable shim further comprises an outer interface layer on the main structure to create mechanical interlocking.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the outer interface layer comprises prepregs to create co-bonding between one of the components and the shim.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the following drawings:

(2) FIGS. 1a and 1b show a schematic view of an example of a mounting arrangement with a deformable shim;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an example of a mounting arrangement with a deformable shim with a spacer; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows an example of a method for generating a predefined distance between a first and a second component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(5) FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b show a deformable shim 12, arranged in a mounting arrangement 10 for mounting a first component 14 and a second component 18. The deformable shim 12 comprises a main structure 13 of an at least partly cellular region. The main structure 13 is compressible by plastic deformation with a compression force 24 from an initial volume 20 (FIG. 1a) to a deformed volume 22 (FIG. 1b).

(6) The deformed volume 22 enables the creation of a predefined distance 26 between a first component 14 and a second component 18.

(7) In another example, not shown, the shim 12 can be provided without the surrounding components. It is noted that the first and second component 14, 18 are shown as an option in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b.

(8) The term shim refers to a constructive element that can be arranged between two (or more) adjacent or connected components in order to adjust or compensate or balance or equal varying distances of the two (or more) components.

(9) FIG. 2 shows another example of the mounting arrangement 10. Additionally, a spacer 16 is provided, which is shown as an option. To keep the shim 12 in form during the compression, a (removable) clamp 28 may be provided. After removing the spacer, the shim stays in the deformed shape due to plastic deformation and a predefined gap is generated.

(10) In another option, although not shown, a filler material is infiltratable in the main structure 13 to increase the stiffness of the shim 12.

(11) In a further option, also not shown, the deformable shim 12 has an interface layer that has specific properties. For example, an adhesive film can secure both parts 14, 18 together in a secondary bonding. This is also applicable as a repair strategy.

(12) FIG. 3 shows an example of a method 100 for generating a predefined distance 26 between a first component 14 and a second component 18. The method 100 comprises the following steps:

(13) In a first step 102, also referred to as step a), a deformable shim 12 is provided in an initial volume 20. The deformable shim 12 comprises a main structure 13 of an at least partly cellular region. The main structure 13 is compressible by plastic deformation from an initial volume 20 to a deformed volume 22; the deformed volume 22 being smaller than the initial volume 20. In a deformed state, the main structure 13 maintains the deformed volume 22 without a continuation of the compression force 24. The main structure 13 is arrangeable between a first component 14 and a second component 18 to create a predefined distance 26 between the first component 14 and the second component 18.

(14) In a second step 104, also referred to as step b), the deformable shim 12 is compressed from the initial volume 20 to a deformed volume 22. The deformed volume 22 is smaller than the initial volume 20. The deformed volume 22 the creation of a predefined distance 26 between the first component 14 and the second component 18.

(15) It has to be noted that embodiments of the invention are described with reference to different subject matters. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to method type claims whereas other embodiments are described with reference to the device type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless otherwise notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter, also any combination between features relating to different subject matters is considered to be disclosed with this application. However, all features can be combined providing synergetic effects that are more than the simple summation of the features.

(16) While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing a claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

(17) In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. A single device or other unit may fulfil the functions of several items re-cited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are re-cited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

(18) 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.