Airbus Operations Gmbh

David Alistair Sutton

Colin John West

Paul Hadley

James Wilson

Jeremy Bradley

Richard Mills

Alan Pout

Andrew Withers

Andrew Paul Limmack

Fariborz F Boozari

Robert Bernard Malia

A fiber-reinforced composite structure includes a cut edge; an elastomeric cap covering the cut edge; and an adhesive sealant bonding the elastomeric cap to the cut edge. The fiber-reinforced composite structure is joined to a component and the elastomeric cap includes a generally Z or L-shaped cap with a web bonded to the cut edge of the fiber-reinforced structure and a flange bonded to the component and extending away from the fiber-reinforced structure.

Edge seal for fibre-reinforced composite structure

A joint comprising: a first component having a face and a bore defined by a bore wall; a second component; a fastener joining the first component to the second component, the fastener comprising a head and a shaft protruding from the head; and a polysulphide gasket comprising a ring which is compressed between the head of the fastener and the face of the first component; and a collar between the shaft of the fastener and the bore wall. The gasket comprises a ring of sealing material surrounding a hole for receiving a fastener, the sealing material comprising an at least partially cured polysulphide sealant. The gasket has a region of increased thickness positioned towards the inner periphery of the ring which flows to form the collar.

Fastener joint with sealing gasket

A foldable seal comprising an elastomeric seal substrate and at least one molded-in stiffener plate embedded within the seal substrate. Also, a method of manufacturing the seal.

Seal

A method of controlling an elastomeric damper. The damper is heated by passing an electric current through the damper or through a heating element in contact with the damper said heating causing a decrease in stiffness of the damper. The elastomeric damper may comprise an elastomeric material filled with electrically conductive particles, and the damper may be heated by passing an electric current through the elastomeric material. Alternatively the damper may be heated using a discrete resistive heating element, such as a coil embedded within the elastomeric damper or wound around it.

Method and apparatus for controlling an elastomeric damper

A blade seal comprising: a base; a tip; a first part formed from an elastomeric material which extends continuously from the base to the tip; and a second part formed from an elastomeric material mixed with conductive filler which extends continuously from the base to the tip. The blade seal is manufactured by compressing the first and second parts together; and curing one or both of the parts as they are compressed together.

Blade seal

A bonding lead comprising a core; and a sheath bonded to the core. The core comprises a substrate of fibers coated with nano-objects with at least one dimension between 1 nm and 200 nm. The nano-objects form a continuous electrically conductive network from one end of the bonding lead to the other with some of the nano-objects coating the fibers and others forming bridges between adjacent fibers. The nano-objects may be carbon nanotubes and the core may be woven or knitted. A conductive connector is provided at each end of the bonding lead, for instance a tab formed from an electrically conductive polymer. The lead can be used to dissipate static charge and/or lightning current between components, typically within an aircraft fuel tank.

Bond lead

A routing clip for securing a line to a structure comprising: a base for attaching the clip to a structure; and a clamp comprising: a first flexible strap which extends from the base and has one or more projections extending from its side; and a second flexible strap which extends from the base and has a passageway for receiving the first flexible strap and a locking surface which is arranged to engage one of the projections on the first flexible strap to prevent the first flexible strap from being withdrawn from the passageway. At least part of the clip is made from an elastomeric material.

Line routing clip

An aircraft wing comprising first and second fuel pipe segments which are coupled together with a pipe coupling device comprising a corrugated tube formed from an elastomer filled with conductive material. The pipe coupling device is particularly useful for connecting together fuel pipe segments in an aircraft wing as it removes the need to attach bonding leads between fuel pipe segments to dissipate lightning currents and static.

Pipe coupling device for aircraft wing

An aircraft wing assembly comprising: a spar; a fuel tank; a track container which is attached to the spar and extends into the fuel tank; a track which extends through the spar and into the track container; and a high-lift device, such as a slat or flap, carried by the track. The track container comprises a stiffening element encased in an elastomeric sheath. The track container is manufactured by placing a stiffening element and elastomeric material together in a mould; and compressing and heating them to cure and shape the elastomeric material.

Track container

A joint with a first component; a second component; and an electrical assembly which provides an electrical pathway between the first and second components with an electrical resistance between 100 k&#x3a9; and 10 M&#x3a9;. The electrical assembly comprises a bonding lead; and a pair of connection assemblies each connecting the bonding lead to a respective one of the components. Each connection assembly comprises: a fastener with a shaft which passes through a hole in the component and a hole in the bonding lead, the hole in the bonding lead passing between an inner face of the bonding lead which faces towards the component and an outer face of the bonding lead which faces away from the component, and a washer which is carried by the shaft of the fastener and engages the component and the inner face of the bonding lead. Each washer provides the path of least electrical resistance between the bonding lead and a respective one of the components, each said path having an electrical resistance between 50 k&#x3a9; and 5 M&#x3a9;.

Fuel pipe joint on an aircraft

A joint on an aircraft, the joint comprising: a first component; a second component; and a bonding lead which provides an electrical pathway between the first and second components. The bonding lead comprises a conductive core and a sheath which covers a substantial length of the core and has a lower electrical conductivity than the core. The path of least electrical resistance between the first component and the core of the bonding lead comprises the sheath, typically with an electrical resistance between 50 k&#x3a9; and 50 M&#x3a9;. By making the electrical resistance of the core much smaller than that of the sheath, the total resistance of the bonding lead remains substantially the same regardless of its length.

Aircraft joint and bonding lead

An aircraft leading edge panel having an outer aerodynamic surface; and an inner surface carrying the elastomeric impact protection membrane. The membrane comprises a woven or knitted fabric which is impregnated with an elastomeric material. The membrane and the panel may be bonded by an adhesive or co-cured to bond the membrane to the panel. The membrane provides impact protection to the panel by de-bonding from the face of the panel and absorbing at least part of the energy of an object impacting the panel.

Panel with impact protection membrane

A joint on an aircraft, the joint comprising: a first component; a second component joined to the first component; and a bonding lead which forms an electrical connection between the components with a resistance between 100 k&#x3a9; and 10 M&#x3a9;. Surprisingly, it has been found that a bonding lead with a relatively high resistance can be used without seriously compromising the static discharge performance of the bonding lead, and that the resulting comparatively low flow of current reduces the risk of sparking in the event of an lightning strike. Bonding leads may be provided as a kit of parts in which at least two of the bonding leads have different lengths and the longer lead is formed from a material having a higher bulk conductivity than the shorter lead. Thus the bonding leads can be made with approximately similar resistances regardless of their lengths.

A joint on an aircraft, a bonding lead for use in such a joint, and a method of manufacturing such a joint. The bonding lead comprises an elongate conductive core with a pair of end faces at the extremities of its length. The conductive core is encapsulated along at least a majority of its length and at both end faces in a barrier layer typically formed from an elastomer. The lead is encapsulated along its length in the barrier layer apart from at a first contact region towards a first end of the bonding lead and a second contact region towards a second end of the bonding lead. A first electrical connector passes through a first hole in the barrier layer to engage the first contact region of the conductive core and provide an electrical connection between the conductive core and the first component; and a second electrical connector passes through a second hole in the barrier layer to engage the second contact region of the conductive core and provide an electrical connection between the conductive core and the second component.

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Bristol, United Kingdom

David Alistair Sutton