US 11,981,415 B2
Bulb stiffener with sinusoidal web
Mark Anthony Wadsworth, Wichita, KS (US)
Assigned to Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed by Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/973,037.
Application 17/973,037 is a division of application No. 16/690,445, filed on Nov. 21, 2019, granted, now 11,505,301.
Prior Publication US 2023/0038291 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 70/34 (2006.01); B64C 1/06 (2006.01); B64C 3/18 (2006.01); B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01); B64C 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 1/064 (2013.01) [B29C 70/345 (2013.01); B64C 3/182 (2013.01); B64F 5/10 (2017.01); B29L 2031/003 (2013.01); B64C 2001/0072 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for forming a bulb stiffener, the method comprising:
providing a compression molding apparatus, the compression molding apparatus including a web forming portion having a non-linear profile in an axial direction;
placing a plurality of plies within the compression molding apparatus, with a composite rod placed between at least some of the plurality of plies in the compression molding apparatus; and
compressing the compression molding apparatus such that at least a portion of the plurality of plies are compressed in the web forming portion thereby forming a web of the bulb stiffener having a non-linear profile in the axial direction, wherein the step of compressing the compression molding apparatus further comprises compressing the plurality of plies about an outer perimeter of the composite rod, wherein the composite rod includes a truncated circular cross-sectional profile having a flat portion, and wherein the web extends along a lateral extent of the flat portion.