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.
FRICTION STIR WELDED WINGTIP TORQUE BOX
REIBRÜHRGESCHWEISSTER FLÜGELSPITZENDREHMOMENTKASTEN
CAISSON DE TORSION DE DESSUS D'AILE SOUDÉ PAR FRICTION-MALAXAGE
2021-08-11
Patent
Electronic Resource
English