D-truss wing structure for an unmanned aerial vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12214875-B2
Application number	US-202117797808-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 5, 2021
Priority date	Feb 6, 2020
Publication date	Feb 4, 2025
Grant date	Feb 4, 2025

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods including a leading edge tubular member; an upper tubular member; a lower tubular member; one or more upper rib members connected between the leading edge tubular member and the upper tubular member; one or more lower rib members connected between the leading edge tubular member and the lower tubular member; a rigid sandwich shell disposed between the upper tubular member and the leading edge tubular member; and a sandwich shear web disposed between the upper tubular member and the lower tubular member; where the rigid sandwich shell and the sandwich shear web form a D-shape.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a leading edge tubular member;
an upper tubular member;
a lower tubular member;
one or more upper rib members connected between the leading edge tubular member and the upper tubular member;
one or more lower rib members connected between the leading edge tubular member and the lower tubular member;
a rigid sandwich shell disposed between the upper tubular member and the leading edge tubular member, wherein the rigid sandwich shell comprises one or more expansion joints; and
a sandwich shear web disposed between the upper tubular member and the lower tubular member;
wherein the rigid sandwich shell and the sandwich shear web form a D-shape.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the leading edge tubular member, the upper tubular member, and the lower tubular member carry all bending loads.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein each expansion joint creates an expansion channel.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more expansion joints allow the rigid sandwich shell to handle spanwise expansion associated with bending.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein each expansion joint runs between the leading edge tubular member and the upper tubular member.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising a polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film that covers the system except for the rigid sandwich shell, wherein the PVF film provides an airfoil shape.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the PVF film covers one or more channels formed by the one or more expansion joints.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rigid sandwich shell comprises two composite face sheets separated by a core, wherein the two composite face sheets comprise carbon fiber and epoxy.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the core comprises foam.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the core comprises a honeycomb.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
one or more cross-bracing members connected between each of the one or more lower rib members.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein each of the one or more cross-bracing members are configured to pull the lower tubular member toward the leading edge tubular member.

13. A system comprising:
a leading edge tubular member;
an upper tubular member;
one or more upper rib members connected between the leading edge tubular member and the upper tubular member; and
a rigid sandwich shell disposed between the upper tubular member and the leading edge tubular member, wherein the rigid sandwich shell comprises one or more expansion joints.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a lower tubular member.

15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
one or more lower rib members connected between the leading edge tubular member and the lower tubular member.

16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a sandwich shear web disposed between the upper tubular member and the lower tubular member.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the rigid sandwich shell and the sandwich shear web form a D-shape.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the leading edge tubular member, the upper tubular member, and the lower tubular member carry all bending loads.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein each expansion joint creates an expansion channel.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein each expansion joint runs between the leading edge tubular member and the upper tubular member.

Assignees

• Aerovironment Inc

Inventors

• Kendall Greg T

Classifications

• B64U10/25

  Fixed-wing aircraft (VTOL aircraft B64U10/20) · CPC title

• B64U30/10

  Wings · CPC title

• B64C39/024

  of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV · CPC title

• B64C3/26

  Construction, shape, or attachment of separate skins, e.g. panels · CPC title

• B64C3/10

  Shape of wings · CPC title