Composite structure and methods of assembling same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9950480-B2
Application number	US-201213416851-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 9, 2012
Priority date	Mar 9, 2012
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

A composite structure and method of assembling a composite structure is provided. The composite structure includes a base member having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a channel therethrough. The composite structure further includes a support member coupled to the outer surface. A fabric overwrap is coupled to the support member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A composite structure comprising:
a base member comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a channel therethrough;
a plurality of unidirectional fiber tows positioned about said outer surface, wherein said plurality of unidirectional fiber tows are formed from a majority of fibers oriented in a first direction and a minority of fibers oriented in a second direction, said minority of fibers configured to hold said majority of fibers together; and
a fabric overwrap comprising strands of structural fibers, said fabric overwrap coupled to said plurality of unidirectional fiber tows and to said outer surface of said base member, wherein said strands of structural fibers are interwoven to and about said base member and said plurality of unidirectional fiber tows such that said plurality of unidirectional fiber tows are coupled to said outer surface.

2. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein said base member comprises a hollow preform tube.

3. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein said base member comprises at least one of a polygonal shape and a circular shape.

4. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein said base member comprises at least one of a metallic, thermoplastic and reconfigured thermoplastic composite material.

5. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein said base member comprises an electrically conductive material.

6. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein said fabric overwrap comprises a flange.

7. The composite structure of claim 1 , wherein an amount of resin is substantially infused into said fabric overwrap.

8. The composite structure of claim 7 wherein said resin is configured to encapsulate said plurality of unidirectional fiber tows.

9. A fuselage section comprising:
a fuselage skin; and
a composite structure coupled to said fuselage skin, said composite structure comprising:
a base member comprising an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface defining a channel therethrough;
a plurality of unidirectional fiber tows positioned about said outer surface, wherein said plurality of unidirectional fiber tows are formed from a majority of fibers oriented in a first direction and a minority of fibers oriented in a second direction, said minority of fibers configured to hold said majority of fibers together;
a fabric overwrap comprising strands of structural fibers, said fabric overwrap coupled to said plurality of unidirectional fiber tows and to said outer surface of said base member, wherein said strands of structural fibers are interwoven to and about said base member and said plurality of unidirectional fiber tows such that said plurality of unidirectional fiber tows are coupled to said outer surface.

10. The fuselage skin of claim 9 further comprising an electrical component coupled to said inner surface.

11. The fuselage skin of claim 9 wherein said base member comprises at least one of a polygonal and a circular shape.

Assignees

• Tsotsis Thomas Karl
• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Tsotsis Thomas Karl

Classifications

• B29C70/68

  by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers {, e.g. foam blocks (mould constructions therefor B29C33/12; joining preformed parts by moulding B29C65/70)} · CPC title

• Y10T428/13

  Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.] · CPC title

• B29C70/542 Primary

  Placing or positioning the reinforcement in a covering or packaging element before or during moulding, e.g. drawing in a sleeve · CPC title