US 12,296,945 B2
Winglet and winglet cover assembly
Thomas Barnett, Bristol (GB); Andrew Scaife, Bristol (GB); Lee Proudler, Bristol (GB); and Richard Hewson, Bristol (GB)
Assigned to AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED, Bristol (GB)
Filed by AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED, Bristol (GB)
Filed on Jan. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/102,469.
Application 18/102,469 is a continuation in part of application No. PCT/EP2021/069646, filed on Jul. 14, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2011587 (GB), filed on Jul. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0166833 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 23/06 (2006.01); B64C 3/18 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 23/069 (2017.05) [B64C 3/185 (2013.01); B64C 3/187 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A winglet comprising first and second covers, a front spar, a rear spar, a rib, and a mid spar between the front spar and the rear spar; wherein:
the rib and each spar are joined to the first cover and to the second cover;
the mid spar has a length and the mid spar curves along all or part of its length;
the length of the mid spar extends from a terminal inboard end of the mid spar to a terminal outboard end of the mid spar; and
the rib wraps around the terminal inboard or the terminal outboard end of the mid spar or the rib comprises a recess bounding the inboard or outboard end of the mid spar; and
wherein the rib comprises a web, a first flange joined to the first cover, and a second flange joined to the second cover; and,
wherein the web is in a facing relation to the terminal inboard or the terminal outboard end of the mid spar, and wherein the mid spar does not extend through the web.