The Boeing Company

Terry A Sewell

Jeffrey H Wood

Carlos Angelo Fracchia

Steven John Miener

Charles A Rhodes

John Cleveland Waldrop, Iii

Steven J Burpo

Steven P Wanthal

Robert E Bender

Anthony Falcone

Carlos A Fracchia

A composite comprising adhered components and method of refurbishing such composites are described herein. The composite includes a first component, a second component, and the first component being adhered to the second component using an adhesive stack. The adhesive stack comprises a first adhesive-impregnated scrim layer disposed between the first component and the second component and a bulk adhesive layer disposed between the first component and the second component.

Composites comprising adhered components

A layer of adhesive is applied along a separation interface defined between a first surface of a first component and a second surface of a second component. A first portion of a pull cord is embedded into the adhesive layer along the separation interface and between the first and second surfaces. The first portion of the pull cord is positioned to enable the separation interface to be cleaved such that the first component is uncoupled from the second component. A second portion of the pull cord extends externally to the adhesive layer.

Methods and systems for removably coupling consumable parts within a system

Methods of refurbishing an adhered component and composites comprising adhered components

A window panel adapted for installation relative to a structure. The panel includes a single piece of generally transparent injection-molded material configured to span one or more openings in the structure. The panel has panel attachment inserts for attaching the panel relative to the structure. The inserts are embedded in the material alongside at least one edge of the panel. The panel has a curvature that essentially continues a curvature of the structure surrounding the opening(s) when the panel is installed relative to the structure. This panel can be single-pane and can provide an essentially continuous window along an aircraft fuselage.

Injection-molded window panel and related methods

A structural panel includes a frame having one or more attachment members. A material injection-molded onto at least a portion of the frame fills one or more openings at least partly defined by the frame and defines at least a portion of a shape of the panel. The attachment member(s) are at least partially embedded in the injection-molded material for attaching the panel relative to the structure. Because attachment members can be embedded in this panel, little if any post-processing is needed to install the panel.

Apparatus and methods for reinforcing a structural panel

A method of installing a window panel in an aircraft. The method includes connecting upper and lower ends of the window panel with upper and lower longerons of the aircraft, and connecting a side end of the window panel with a hoop frame of the aircraft. This method makes it possible to eliminate heavy window support structures and to provide continuous hoop frame support members in an aircraft fuselage.

Apparatus and methods for installing an aircraft window panel

A method for vacuum assisted resin transfer molding a composite structure including fibers at least partially surrounded by resin using a mold including a tool having a surface shaped to correspond to the composite structure and an inflatable bladder for forcing the composite structure against the tool. A resin inlet is connected to a resin source for introducing resin into a mold cavity at least partially defined by the tool surface and the bladder and a vacuum port spaced from the resin inlet. The method includes the steps of opening the mold cavity, loading fibers into the open mold cavity, closing the loaded mold cavity, introducing resin through the resin inlet into the closed mold cavity loaded with fibers, and pulling a vacuum at the resin inlet and the vacuum port to draw excess resin from the structure prior to curing thereof.

Method for vacuum assisted resin transfer molding

An injection molded windshield is provided for a vehicle. The injection molded acrylic or polycarbonate windshield enables vehicle shape design flexibility while achieving lower aerodynamic drag. The injection molded windshields offer additional benefits for the crew by increasing visibility area with larger windshields while reducing aero noise. The vehicle includes a body and an injection molded window attached to the body. The injection molded windshield is shaped to conform to the fuselage. The injection molded windshield is formed of at least one of an injection molded acrylic or polycarbonate material. The injection molded windshield is impact and ballistic tolerant.

Vehicle windshield

A method for forming complexly shaped composite laminate assemblies. A pair of dry fiber preforms are placed on a tool with a thin film adhesive layer therebetween. A vacuum bag encloses the preforms and the adhesive layer. The preforms are heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the adhesive to become viscous and to wet several plys of each of the preforms. The preforms are then allowed to cool slightly before resin is infused via a vacuum source through each of the preforms to thoroughly wet each of the preforms. The resulting joint formed at the bond line of the two preforms is stronger than what would be formed simply by adhering two otherwise completely formed preforms together because the dry fiber preforms, in connection with the heating of the preforms, allow wetting of several plys of each of the preforms at the joint area, rather than just the surface ply of each preform.

Vacuum assisted resin transfer method for co-bonding composite laminate structures

An apparatus and method for latching a canopy to a vehicle, such as an aircraft, that avoids plastic creep and crazing due to concentrated loads is provided. The apparatus includes first attachment components that are at least partially embedded within an injection-molded canopy and second attachment components that are connected to the canopy rail for attaching to the one or more first attachment components and thereby attaching the canopy to the canopy rail.

Attachment apparatus for injection-molded frameless canopies

An automated lapping system is provided for lapping a work product using a robot. Because the robot can apply continuous consistent pressure that far exceeds the capabilities of a human operator, lapping and polishing evolutions take a fraction of the time taken by a human operator. The system includes a robot having one or more lapping end effectors and a control component that controls the robot to lap the work product. The control component includes a processor, a user interface coupled to the processor, a communication component that receives final work product dimensions, and a positioning component that detects a lapping zone on the work product and sends the detected lapping zone to the control component. The control component controls the robot based on the sent lapping zone and received work product dimensions.

Automated lapping system

A method and system for attaching a canopy to a vehicle, such as an aircraft, is provided. The system includes first and second sections. The first section attaches to the second section with a portion of the canopy being secured between the attached first and second sections. The canopy is molded to conform with the secured first and second sections. In one embodiment, the canopy is molded to include one or more fastener receiving holes with or without bushings. In another embodiment, the first or second sections include one or more channels for receiving an inflatable bladder. The first or second sections are configured to be received by the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Ballwin, MO, United States of America

Terry A Sewell