US 12,252,245 B2
Beaded composite structures and methods for manufacturing beaded composite structures
Daniel J. McMillan, Edmonds, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 8, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/545,056.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/139,509, filed on Jan. 20, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0227475 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. B32B 3/28 (2006.01); B29C 70/30 (2006.01); B32B 3/00 (2006.01); B64C 3/20 (2006.01); B64C 3/26 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 3/20 (2013.01) [B29C 70/30 (2013.01); B64C 3/26 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3085 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A composite structure comprising:
a first layer; and
a second layer connected to the first layer to form a layered structure, the second layer comprising:
a plurality of base portions abutting the first layer; and
a plurality of beaded portions protruding from the plurality of base portions, each beaded portion of the plurality of beaded portions defining a channel between the first layer and the second layer, at least one channel configured to have a system feature disposed between the first layer and the second layer;
at least one first access opening formed through the first layer into the at least one channel to provide access to the at least one channel and the system feature from outside the first layer of the layered structure; and
at least one second access opening formed through at least one beaded portion of the second layer into the at least one channel to provide ingress and egress for the system feature from outside the second layer of the composite structure; and
at least one third access opening formed through the first layer and at least one base portion of the second layer between an adjacent pair of beaded portions.