Inventors:
Shin S. Lee - Bellevue WA, US
Adrian Viisoreanu - Kent WA, US
William J. Koch - Bellevue WA, US
Assignee:
The Boeing Company - Chicago IL
International Classification:
B64C 1/12
Abstract:
A composite panel structure for an aircraft includes a plurality of annular, hat-shaped frames disposed coaxially along a long axis of the aircraft in a spaced, parallel relationship, an inner skin having an inner surface bonded to an outer surface of the hat frames, a plurality of elongated, hat-shaped stringers disposed in a longitudinal direction along an outer surface of the inner skin in a spaced, parallel relationship, a solid or rigid foam offset bonded to an outer surface of each of the stringers, and an outer skin having an inner surface bonded to an upper surface of each of the offsets. The inner skin carries the loads of the structure and the outer skin defines an aerodynamic surface of the aircraft and provides impact and lighting protection. The frames, inner skin and stringers are formed on a single forming tool and cured and bonded with each other simultaneously.