A method of installing a first aircraft structure 101 onto a second aircraft structure 102 uses a movable joint 10 which allows relative movement between the two structures in at least a first degree of freedom to position them, the joint contains a curable substance 50, such as epoxy resin, which is cured to prevent movement of the joint and fix the structures relative to one another. The joint may be a ball joint having a socket 22 which is attached to the first structure, and a ball stud 32 attached to the second structure, allowing relative movement in six degrees of freedom before curing. The ball and socket may have a textured surface in contact with the resin which may coat the surface of the socket and the ball or be added after alignment. An external heat source may be used to cure the resin, or it may cure in a certain period of time. The structures may be a landing gear leg fairing and a landing gear leg, the positioning before curing allowing alignment of the fairing with an external surface of the aircraft when the leg in in a retracted position.
Aircraft structural fitting
2025-04-30
Patent
Electronic Resource
English