US 12,227,281 B2
Method and apparatus for fabricating reformable stiffening elements
Mark Anthony Wadsworth, Sedan, KS (US)
Assigned to Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed by Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed on May 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/322,332.
Application 18/322,332 is a division of application No. 17/668,954, filed on Feb. 10, 2022, granted, now 11,708,143.
Application 17/668,954 is a division of application No. 16/720,491, filed on Dec. 19, 2019, granted, now 11,254,410, issued on Feb. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0294814 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 1/00 (2006.01); B29B 11/00 (2006.01); B29B 11/06 (2006.01); B29C 70/44 (2006.01); B64C 1/06 (2006.01); B64F 5/00 (2017.01); B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 1/064 (2013.01) [B29B 11/06 (2013.01); B29C 70/44 (2013.01); B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B29L 2031/3082 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of reshaping a stiffening element to be attached to a skin of aircraft components for providing structural reinforcement, wherein the stiffening member is elongate and has a length, wherein the stiffening element comprises a bead forming an out-of-plane feature in the stiffening element extending transverse to the length, wherein the stiffening element has a first and second lengthwise segments on opposite sides of the bead, the method comprising:
attaching a clamp to the bead, the clamp including
an upper clamp member contacting at least a portion of a first surface of the bead,
a lower clamp member contacting at least a portion of a second, opposing surface of the bead, and
a plurality of resilient members which urge the upper clamp member to apply pressure on the stiffening element toward the lower clamp member;
heating the stiffening element to a temperature above the glass transition temperature for the stiffening element material; and
reducing the temperature from the heating step after a time period;
wherein while the stiffening element is heated to the temperature above the glass transition temperature and while the upper clamp member and lower clamp member are contacting the portions of the first and second opposing surfaces of the bead, the plurality of resilient members simultaneously urge the upper clamp member to apply pressure on the stiffening element toward the lower clamp member and thereby bend the stiffening element at the bead such that an angle between the first and second lengthwise segments on opposite sides of the bead changes.