Abstract:
A tooling apparatus for manufacturing a composite structure may include a rigid outer tool for receiving a composite layup, a tubular inner vacuum bag in contact with the composite layup and defining an inner vacuum chamber, and an outer vacuum bag covering at least a portion of the rigid outer tool. The outer vacuum bag and the tubular inner vacuum bag may collectively define an outer vacuum chamber containing the composite layup. An outer bag vacuum source may be fluidly coupled to the outer vacuum bag for applying an outer bag vacuum pressure on the outer vacuum chamber. An inner bag vacuum source may be fluidly coupled to the tubular inner vacuum bag for applying an inner bag vacuum pressure on the inner vacuum chamber during application of the outer bag vacuum pressure on the outer vacuum chamber.
Abstract:
A winglet attach fitting may include a wing attachment portion, an upper winglet attachment portion, and a lower winglet attachment portion. The upper winglet attachment portion may be coupled to the wing attachment portion and may be configured to support an upper winglet. The lower winglet attachment portion may be coupled to the wing attachment portion and may be configured to support a lower winglet. The wing attachment portion may be removably attachable to a wing tip using fasteners.
Abstract:
A method of securing a split winglet to a wing tip of an aircraft includes fastening an upper winglet to an upper winglet attachment portion of a wing attach fitting having a wing attachment portion. The method further includes fastening a lower winglet to a lower winglet attachment portion of the wing attach fitting. The method additionally includes fastening the wing attachment portion to the wing tip using tension fasteners installed from an inboard side of the wing tip to secure the split winglet to the wing.
Abstract:
A winglet attach fitting may include a wing attachment portion, an upper winglet attachment portion, and a lower winglet attachment portion. The upper winglet attachment portion may be coupled to the wing attachment portion and may be configured to support an upper winglet. The lower winglet attachment portion may be coupled to the wing attachment portion and may be configured to support a lower winglet. The wing attachment portion may be removably attachable to a wing tip using fasteners.
Abstract:
A method of securing a split winglet to a wing tip of an aircraft includes fastening an upper winglet to an upper winglet attachment portion of a wing attach fitting having a wing attachment portion. The method further includes fastening a lower winglet to a lower winglet attachment portion of the wing attach fitting. The method additionally includes fastening the wing attachment portion to the wing tip using tension fasteners installed from an inboard side of the wing tip to secure the split winglet to the wing.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for forming a composite winglet for an aircraft is presented. The composite winglet comprises a first blade, a second blade, and a root region. The first blade includes a first leading edge and a first trailing edge. The second blade includes a second leading edge and a second trailing edge. The second blade is positioned at an angle to the first blade. The root region is co-cured with the first blade and the second blade to form the composite winglet. The root region is configured to receive an attachment system for attaching the composite winglet to a wing of the aircraft.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for forming a composite winglet for an aircraft is presented. The composite winglet comprises a first blade, a second blade, and a root region. The first blade includes a first leading edge and a first trailing edge. The second blade includes a second leading edge and a second trailing edge. The second blade is positioned at an angle to the first blade. The root region is co-cured with the first blade and the second blade to form the composite winglet. The root region is configured to receive an attachment system for attaching the composite winglet to a wing of the aircraft.
Abstract:
A method of using a split winglet includes providing an aircraft having a winglet attach fitting attaching a split winglet to a wing. The split winglet has an upper winglet and a lower winglet. The method additionally includes maintaining the winglet attach fitting and winglet at a first height relative to a fuselage when the aircraft is non-flying, and moving the winglet attach fitting and winglet to a second height relative to the fuselage when the aircraft is flying, the second height being higher than the first height.
Abstract:
A method of using a split winglet includes providing an aircraft having a winglet attach fitting attaching a split winglet to a wing. The split winglet has an upper winglet and a lower winglet. The method additionally includes maintaining the winglet attach fitting and winglet at a first height relative to a fuselage when the aircraft is non-flying, and moving the winglet attach fitting and winglet to a second height relative to the fuselage when the aircraft is flying, the second height being higher than the first height.
Abstract:
A tooling apparatus for manufacturing a composite structure may include a rigid outer tool for receiving a composite layup, a tubular inner vacuum bag in contact with the composite layup and defining an inner vacuum chamber, and an outer vacuum bag covering at least a portion of the rigid outer tool. The outer vacuum bag and the tubular inner vacuum bag may collectively define an outer vacuum chamber containing the composite layup. An outer bag vacuum source may be fluidly coupled to the outer vacuum bag for applying an outer bag vacuum pressure on the outer vacuum chamber. An inner bag vacuum source may be fluidly coupled to the tubular inner vacuum bag for applying an inner bag vacuum pressure on the inner vacuum chamber during application of the outer bag vacuum pressure on the outer vacuum chamber.