The Boeing Company

Henry H Bennett

Thomas R Cundiff

Donald Edward Wright

Brad G Lund

Robert S Renz

Seth Skube

A balance has a balance centerline and an axial force measurement section having a longitudinal slot partially dividing the axial force measurement section into a first part and a second part longitudinally overlapping each other and interconnected by corner flexure groups. The axial force measurement section has an axial force measurement beam located approximately midway between the corner flexure groups. The axial force measurement beam has strain gages for determining axial force on the model. Each corner flexure group includes flexures each having a first flexure root and a second flexure root respectively joined to the first part and the second part. The flexures each have a flexure midpoint between the first and second flexure roots, and a flexure thickness that is tapered along the flexure length from each of the first and second flexure roots to a reduced thickness proximate the flexure midpoint.

Wind tunnel balance and method of use

A wind tunnel blade () connected to a base () and held in position by a two-piece cuff (). The wind tunnel blade () is formed in a resin transfer molding process in which central, fore, and aft foam core sections () are placed together to form the wind tunnel blade (). Radius fillers () are used to fill the gaps between the outer edge of the foam core sections. The radius fillers () used in the wind tunnel blade () are formed by a braided sleeve () surrounding a number of unidirectional tows (). A tip () is formed separately from the rest of the wind tunnel blade () and is glued to the top thereof. Stacked layers of braided fibers () are used to reinforce the central core section ().

Resin transfer molding process

A wind tunnel blade ( ) connected to a base ( ) and held in position by a two-piece cuff ( ). The wind tunnel blade ( ) is formed in a resin transfer molding process in which central, fore, and aft foam core sections ( ) are placed together to form the wind tunnel blade ( ). Radius fillers ( ) are used to fill the gaps between the outer edge of the foam core sections. The radius fillers ( ) used in the wind tunnel blade ( ) are formed by a braided sleeve ( ) surrounding a number of unidirectional tows ( ). A tip ( ) is formed separately from the rest of the wind tunnel blade ( ) and is glued to the top thereof. Stacked layers of braided fibers ( ) are used to reinforce the central core section ( ).

A wind tunnel blade (,) connected to a base (,) and held in position by a two-piece cuff (,). The wind tunnel blade (,) is formed in a resin transfer molding process in which central, fore, and aft foam core sections (,) are placed together to form the wind tunnel blade (,). Radius fillers (,) are used to fill the gaps between the outer edge of the foam core sections. The radius fillers (,) used in the wind tunnel blade (,) are formed by a braided sleeve (,) surrounding a number of unidirectional tows (,). A tip (,) is formed separately from the rest of the wind tunnel blade (,) and is glued to the top thereof Stacked layers of braided fibers (,) are used to reinforce the central core section (,).

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Henry H Bennett