Method of making rib structures for an airfoil

A method is disclosed for fabricating rib structures of different sizes for a segment of an airfoil having both a spanwise taper in thickness and at least one aerodynamic surface having a substantially constant radius of curvature in the chordwise direction. In one embodiment a plurality of rib webs...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author SCOTT; HARRY A
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 13.11.1984
Subjects
AEROPLANES
AIRCRAFT
AVIATION
COSMONAUTICS
GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
HELICOPTERS
PERFORMING OPERATIONS
TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
TRANSPORTING
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Summary:A method is disclosed for fabricating rib structures of different sizes for a segment of an airfoil having both a spanwise taper in thickness and at least one aerodynamic surface having a substantially constant radius of curvature in the chordwise direction. In one embodiment a plurality of rib webs are formed at least as large as the largest rib structure. Each of the rib webs is trimmed at their lower edges progressively greater amounts to form rib webs of a proper size for each rib structure. A plurality of upper and lower rib caps as well as front and rear spar attachment brackets are formed and attached to the trimmed rib webs. In another embodiment the rib webs are formed with either or both integral upper rib caps and spar attachment brackets. In still another embodiment a plurality of rib webs are formed and joined together by twos by inverting one rib web to the other and progressively overlapping their lower edges and fastening them together to form properly sized rib structures. These rib webs are formed with either or both integral upper rib caps and spar attachment brackets or they can be formed separately and attached to the joined rib webs. In the case where the spars are not spanwise parallel, the rib webs are formed without spar attachment brackets and thereafter at least one end of the rib webs and rib caps, whether integral or not, are also trimmed progressively greater amounts so that they are of the proper size for each rib structure.
Bibliography:Application Number: US19820358775