Abstract:
An aircraft (100), a center wing box assembly (150) for an aircraft (100), and a spanwise beam section (155) for a center wing box assembly (150) that includes a segmented structural configuration with an optimized access hole (155e) to accommodate user access into an interior space of the center wing box for purposes of assembly and maintenance. The center wing box assembly (150) includes a first spanwise beam section (155a), a second spanwise beam section (155b), spaced from the first spanwise beam section (155a), and a plurality of chord members (155c, 155d) serving as load-bearing structural reinforcement members for the first spanwise beam section (155a) and the second spanwise beam section (155b). The chord members (155c, 155d) extend across the space between the first spanwise beam section (155a) and the second spanwise beam section (155b) to connect the first spanwise beam section (155a) and the second spanwise beam section (155b) in a manner which defines an access hole (155e) at the interior space.
Abstract:
The invention provides an aircraft with a trimmable horizontal stabilizer (13) that not requires a cut-out in resistant areas of the rear fuselage and that occupies less space that in conventional horizontal stabilizers. The rear fuselage (5) comprises at least a first section (9) having a resistant fuselage and a second section (11), aft of the first section, having a non-resistant fuselage (i.e. a fairing). The load-bearing structure (30) of the horizontal stabilizer and the trimming actuator (50) are disposed inside said second section (11). The pivot element (41) is mounted on its forward side and coupled to the first section (9) of the rear fuselage. The connection fitting (21) is mounted on its rearward side and the trimming actuator (50) is disposed so that it exerts a force in the direction of the Z-axis of the aircraft on the connection fitting (21) during a trimming operation.
Abstract:
The invention relates to fittings (41, 71) for fixing the vertical tail stabilizer of an aircraft in an area of its rear fuselage integrally manufactured with a composite material comprising: a) a first piece (43, 73) comprising lugs (45, 45'; 75, 75') for fixing the vertical tail stabilizer and vertical walls (47, 47'; 77, 77') for fixing the fitting (41, 71) to the frames (7); b) at least one pair of additional pieces (49, 49'; 79, 79') comprising horizontal walls (51, 51'; 81, 81') for fixing the fitting (41, 71) to the skin (5). The fitting (71) for fixing with an inclined load also comprises a second pair of pieces (90, 90') having an angular shape comprising vertical walls (93, 93') for the fixing with the lugs (75, 75'). The invention also relates to processes for assembling these fittings (41, 71).
Abstract:
Disclosed aircraft wing-to-body join methods include (a) applying targets to a wing and a body assembly at the respective wing root and wing stub, (b) determining the 3D locations of the targets by photogrammetry, (c) generating 3D surface profiles for the interface surfaces of the wing root and wing stub by combining scans of the interface surfaces, (d) calculating a virtual fit between the wing and the body assembly that defines one or more gaps between the generated 3D surface profiles of the wing root and wing stub, (e) positioning at least three position sensors within the wing root and/or the wing stub, and (f) aligning the wing to the body assembly to achieve a real fit consistent with the calculated virtual fit using feedback from the position sensors. Methods of determining the target locations and/or the 3D surface profiles may utilize a mobile scanning platform.