Composite Stringer Pull-Off Capacity via Perpendicular Laminate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing stringers with desired weight and performance characteristics is challenging, often resulting in increased complexity and manufacturing costs, and may require additional stringers to achieve desired performance, which can reduce the ability to withstand forces pulling the stringer away from attached structures.

Innovation Solution

A structural system comprising a composite elongate member with a channel and composite structures oriented perpendicular to the surface, which increases the pull-off capacity by attaching a portion of the stringer to the structure, using a filler structure that conforms to the channel's shape and has matching Young's modulus characteristics to the elongate member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a single stringer is used with desired weight, then weight is reduced, but performance characteristics such as pull-off capacity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestringer weightVSAvoidpull-off capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stringer is divided into a flange portion and a web portion that are selectively attached to the skin panel, allowing independent optimization of each segment's weight and strength characteristics while achieving desired overall performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stringer utilizes composite material construction with specific fiber orientations (0 degrees and 45 degrees) to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio, enabling the single stringer to meet both weight reduction and pull-off capacity requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If additional stringers are added to increase pull-off capacity, then strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepull-off capacityVSAvoidstringer configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the stringer into flange and web portions with different attachment configurations, the design achieves enhanced pull-off capacity through optimized load distribution rather than adding more stringers, thereby reducing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dimensional variation through the angled (45 degrees) web portion and multi-directional fiber orientations, enabling enhanced strength characteristics without increasing the number of stringers, thus avoiding complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If stringer design is optimized for performance characteristics, then pull-off capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepull-off capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented design allows standardization of flange and web portions that can be manufactured separately and assembled, potentially reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining optimized performance characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By optimizing fiber orientation parameters (0 degrees and 45 degrees) and material composition, the design achieves desired pull-off capacity with cost-effective material usage, avoiding over-engineering

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2556947B1Vertical laminate noodle for high capacity pull-off for a composite stringer
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 THE BOEING CO
  • EP2556947B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2556947B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2556947B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An apparatus comprises a composite elongate member (402) having a side (403) configured for attachment to a surface (426) of a structure (404) , a channel (428) on the side (403) extending along a length of the composite elongate member (402), and a number of composite structures (431) configured for placement in the channel (428) and configured to attach a portion of the side (403) of the composite elongate member (402) to the structure (404). The number of composite structures (431) has layers (432) oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface (426) of the structure (404) and is configured to increase a capacity of the composite elongate member (402) to withstand forces that pull the composite elongate member (402) away from the structure (404).