Aircraft fuselage and method of forming same

Abstract

An apparatus and method for forming an aircraft fuselage having at least one doubly curved portion. A plurality of fuselage panels are extruded with integrally formed stiffening portions extending preferably longitudinally the full length of each fuselage panel. The stiffening portions are further formed so as to be generally parallel to one another. The fuselage panels are then formed into skin panels having a desired curvature and trimmed into gores, and the stiffening portions trimmed at end portions that run out toward longitudinal edges of the panels. When adjacent panels are affixed together, the stiffening portions run out toward longitudinal edges of adjacent panels. The longitudinal edges are secured by splice longerons which are riveted or welded to the longitudinal edges of the skin panels. Independent fastening members are then secured to the stiffening portions and the splice longerons at the points where the stiffening portions run out to positions closely adjacent the splice longerons. The apparatus and method permits aircraft fuselages having doubly curved portions to be formed from extruded panels which is more cost efficient and makes use of a greater percentage of raw materials than conventional methods of machining such panels out of non-near-net stock such as plate.