A braided composite spar or preform for a braided composite spar, comprising a plurality of tubular plies of braided fibres, wherein the spar or preform has a centre line which extends lengthwise from a root to a tip, and at least part of the centre line follows a curved path which does not lie in a single plane. The spar or preform can be used to provide a tubular main spar for a winglet. The winglet also has a front spar with a front spar web, an upper front spar cap, and a lower front spar cap. An upper skin of the winglet is joined to the braided spar and the upper front spar cap. A lower skin of the winglet is joined to the braided spar and the lower front spar cap.
BRAIDED COMPOSITE SPAR
2016-03-17
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge / B29C Formen oder Verbinden von Kunststoffen , SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS / 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 |