US 12,337,946 B2
Additive manufactured airframe structure having a plurality of reinforcement elements
John F. Gundlach, Manassas, VA (US); and Jacob S. Allen, Hood River, OR (US)
Assigned to RapidFlight Holdings, LLC, Manassas, VA (US)
Filed by RapidFlight Holdings, LLC, Manassas, VA (US)
Filed on Dec. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/532,324.
Application 18/532,324 is a continuation of application No. 18/103,992, filed on Jan. 31, 2023, granted, now 11,840,323.
Application 18/103,992 is a continuation of application No. 17/559,829, filed on Dec. 22, 2021, granted, now 11,597,490, issued on Mar. 7, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0109639 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B64C 1/06 (2006.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); B64C 3/24 (2006.01); B64C 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 1/061 (2013.01) [B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); B64C 3/24 (2013.01); B64C 2001/0054 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An additive manufactured airframe structure, comprising:
a first additive manufactured fuselage segment comprising a first outer wall, wherein the first outer wall extends in a normal direction from a first end to a second end and circumferentially encloses a first hollow interior therewithin, the hollow interior extending in the normal direction;
a plurality of reinforcement elements extending from the second end of, and away from, the first outer wall in the normal direction; and
a second additive manufactured fuselage segment formed separately from the first additive manufactured fuselage segment and comprising:
a second outer wall, wherein the second outer wall extends in the normal direction from a first end to a second end and circumferentially encloses a second hollow interior therewithin, the second hollow interior extending in the normal direction; and
a plurality of receiving channels extending along the second outer wall, wherein the plurality of reinforcement elements are received in the plurality of receiving channels and link together the first and second additive manufactured fuselage segments.