Adaptable Stiffening Element for Curved Aircraft Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional composite structures in the aircraft industry face challenges such as time-consuming and costly manufacturing processes due to tolerance issues and manual operations, especially when assembling stiffeners on curved shell structures, which require multiple components and operations.
Innovation Solution
A stiffening element with adaptable profiles and reinforcement elements that can be customized to conform to curved surfaces, allowing for efficient assembly and reinforcement of structures by intersecting profiles and using materials like fiber-reinforced resin, which can be manufactured using methods like Automated Tape Layering and co-curing in a vacuum enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional composite structures use multiple components and manual operations for assembling stiffeners on curved shell structures, then the structural integrity can be maintained, but the manufacturing process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple stiffening profiles (first and second stiffening profiles) into a single integrated stiffening element that can be applied as one component rather than assembling multiple separate stiffeners, thereby reducing assembly time and manual operations while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening element is pre-formed with integrated profiles and reinforcement elements before application to the structural element, allowing the complex geometry to be prepared in advance rather than assembled on-site, which reduces manufacturing time and operational complexity
2Strength
If traditional methods use multiple components for stiffening, then the structural strength can be ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple stiffening profiles and reinforcement elements into a single integrated stiffening element, reducing the number of separate components from multiple discrete stiffeners to one unified component, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining stiffening capability
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening element is designed with multiple functional profiles (first stiffening profile, second stiffening profile) and reinforcement elements that can serve different structural purposes within a single component, making it a multi-functional element that replaces several specialized components
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual operations are used for assembling stiffeners on curved surfaces, then the geometric adaptation can be achieved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening element is designed with curved surfaces and profiles that can conform to curved shell structures, with the first and second stiffening profiles configured to adapt to geometric variations, enabling geometric adaptation through the element's inherent curved geometry rather than manual shaping operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the efficient and cost-effective reinforcement of aircraft structures by allowing for geometric adaptation and simplified manufacturing processes, enhancing the structural integrity and reducing assembly time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a second surface of the at least one first stiffening profile and/or a surface of the at least one second stiffening profile being adapted to be at least partially attached to an element surface of the at least one structural element
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A stiffening element 11 comprising at least a first stiffening profile 1and at least a second stiffening profile 2. The first stiffening profile 1 comprises a profile member 4, at least one structural flange 8 is connected to the profile member 4, a through-passage 9 extending through the profile member 4,and at least one support flange 10 is connected to the profile member 4.The second stiffening profile 2 comprises a bottom portion 12 and at least one support side portion 13 connected to the bottom portion 12. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stiffening element 11 and a method for manufacturing a reinforced structure 15, wherein the reinforced structure 15 comprises at least one structural element 14 and at least one stiffening element 11.