Provided are a wingtip torque box and a method of fabricating such box using friction stir welding. Specifically, a wingtip torque box (200) may be formed by friction stir welding (304, 306) two monolithic clamshells (310a, 310b) along their respective spars (320a, 330a, 310b, 330b) thereby forming a new monolithic structure. Use of the friction stir welding (304, 306) and monolithic clamshells (310a, 310b) simplifies the overall fabrication process and yields a robust wingtip torque box (200) that can be bolted on or otherwise attached to an aircraft wing. The wingtip torque box (200) may include internal grid stiffeners (350a, 350b) and/or external stiffeners (360a, 360b) that may be also monolithic with other components of the box. For example, the stiffeners may be machined in spars or skin portions (340a, 340b) of the clamshells (310a, 310b) during fabrication of clamshells. The wingtip torque box (200) may have a continuous cavity (300) extending between the ends and preferably between spars of the box and providing access for performing various operations inside the box.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    FRICTION STIR WELDED WINGTIP TORQUE BOX


    Additional title:

    REIBRÜHRGESCHWEISSTER FLÜGELSPITZENDREHMOMENTKASTEN
    CAISSON DE TORSION DE DESSUS D'AILE SOUDÉ PAR FRICTION-MALAXAGE



    Publication date :

    2021-08-11


    Type of media :

    Patent


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English


    Classification :

    IPC:    B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge / B64F GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT , Boden- oder Flugzeugträgerdeckeinrichtungen besonders ausgebildet für die Verwendung in Verbindung mit Luftfahrzeugen



    FRICTION STIR WELDED WINGTIP TORQUE BOX

    SHEMKUNAS MICHAEL P / COMINSKY KENNETH D / HEER STEVEN S et al. | European Patent Office | 2018

    Free access

    Friction stir welded wingtip torque box

    SHEMKUNAS MICHAEL P / COMINSKY KENNETH D / HEER STEVEN S et al. | European Patent Office | 2019

    Free access

    Friction-stir welded structure

    HATA TSUNEHISA / HIROBE TOSHIKAZU | European Patent Office | 2016

    Free access

    Friction-stir welded structure

    TSUNEHISA HATA / TOSHIKAZU HIROBE | European Patent Office | 2019

    Free access

    Friction-stir welded structure

    HATA TSUNEHISA / HIROBE TOSHIKAZU | European Patent Office | 2015

    Free access