The Boeing Company

Jeff Dean Will

Paul S Gregg

Daniel G Sanders

David W Foutch

Brad Lee Kirkwood

Gregory L Ramsey

Luis R Leon

Matthew G Kistner

Garry Anthony Booker

David W Evans

Max Urban Kismarton

Gerald D Miller

David S Nansen

David Michael Dembeck

Gerry D Miller

The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft.

Method and apparatus to construct metal securement member for an aircraft

A superplastically formed structural assembly is provided, as is an associated preform and method for forming such an assembly. The assembly includes a skin member and a support member that are joined to define a space between the members and between the joints. The assembly can be produced by joining the members in a flat configuration, and then forming the resulting preform to a predetermined shape of the structural assembly. The support member defines at least one aperture in communication with the space between the members. Thus, the skin member can be formed by delivering a pressurized fluid through the support member to the skin member, e.g., to superplastically form the skin member against a die that defines a contour surface corresponding in shape to the predetermined configuration of the assembly. The support member can extend in a substantially direct configuration between opposing portions of the skin member.

Formed structural assembly and associated preform

An apparatus for comprises a base, a wall, and an opening in the wall. The base has a first end, a second end, and a channel system. The channel system is located closer to the first end than the second end of the base. The wall extends from a side of the base to partially enclose the channel system. The opening in the wall is located closer to the second end than the first end. The shape of the wall is capable of retaining a gas introduced through the channel system in a welding location and causing the gas to move away from the channel system and through the opening in the wall.

Inert gas cover system for laser welding

Formed structural assembly and associated preform and method

Composite structural members and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a composite structural member includes a central structural portion that extends in a first direction and having a first flange portion and a second flange portion that are spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by a web portion, the web portion further including a periodic or a non-periodic undulation extending in the first direction. A first reinforced polymer-based substrate is fixedly coupled to the first flange portion, and a second reinforced polymer-based substrate is fixedly coupled to the second flange portion.

Composite structural member having an undulating web and method for forming same

Mounting device for an aircraft

An apparatus and method for forming a stringer are provided. The stringer generally includes a web having a desired corrugated configuration and first and second flanges welded to opposite edges of the web. The apparatus includes a support structure, a strongback that is supported by the support structure, and a plurality of dies that are adjustable relative to the strongback. The strongback defines a corrugated contour surface corresponding to the desired corrugated configuration of the web. The dies define corresponding forming surfaces and are configured to be advanced toward the strongback to thereby form the web to the desired corrugated configuration between the contour surface of the strongback and the forming surfaces of the dies. Further, the apparatus can receive the flanges of the stringer in a predetermined configuration with the web so that the flanges can be welded to the web while the web is supported by the strongback and dies in the desired corrugated configuration.

Apparatus and method for forming corrugated members

A method to superplastic form sandwich structures is provided. A series of worksheets are joined together at selected locations through the use of partial penetration welding. The worksheets are subsequently superplastic formed in order to form a sandwich structure. The method allows a different number of worksheets to be used at different points throughout the sandwich structure. This results in a sandwich structure with a different internal reinforcement at different locations in the sandwich structure. In the preferred embodiment, a wing is fabricated from a series of worksheets partial penetration welded together using a laser. The worksheets are superplastic formed to producing a wing with a different internal reinforcement at two or more locations in the wing. The wing includes a pair of double thickness skins that define a major portion of aerodynamically smooth outer surface of the airfoil. Each skin is formed from at least two sheets of superplastically formed material that are joined by diffusion bonding. The internal reinforcement extends between the surface's interior surfaces of the skins and are welded to the skins by wave welds. The webs of the internal reinforcement extend between the skins diagonally and each web is formed of a single sheet of superplastically formed material.

Multiple density sandwich structures

A method to superplastic form sandwich structures is provided. A series of worksheets are joined together at selected locations through the use of partial penetration welding. The worksheets are subsequently superplastic formed in order to form a sandwich structure. The method allows a different number of worksheets to be used at different points throughout the sandwich structure. This results in a sandwich structure with a different internal reinforcement at different locations in the sandwich structure. In the preferred embodiment, a wing is fabricated from a series of worksheets partial penetration welded together using a laser. The worksheets are superplastic formed to producing a wing with a different internal reinforcement at two or more locations in the wing.

Growing community of inventors

Renton, WA, United States of America

Jeff Dean Will