초록 ▼

A high strength composite piano hinge having an integral structure and of particular utility in aircraft, formed of two similar half portions each comprising a flange and an integrally formed loop, the integral flange and loop comprised of composite tape, fabric or filament, formed of fiber reinforc

A high strength composite piano hinge having an integral structure and of particular utility in aircraft, formed of two similar half portions each comprising a flange and an integrally formed loop, the integral flange and loop comprised of composite tape, fabric or filament, formed of fiber reinforced heat curable resin such as graphite fibers impregnated with epoxy resin. The loop can be formed in one embodiment by wrapping the tape or fabric around a pin, with the flanges of the hinge secured together, as by curing the composite. Stitching can be provided across the flanges adjacent to the loop, to reinforce the loop, and prevent peeling of the composite laminates or plies. The thickness of the flanges can be equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the loop. Additional composite material or laminates can be co-cured to the flanges. After final curing of the composite material of the piano hinge, the loop is cut out at spaced intervals along the axis thereof, to provide knuckles and form one-half of the piano hinge. A pair of such hinge half portions are juxtaposed and aligned to provide the completed piano hinge, with a pin passed through the aligned knuckles.

대표청구항 ▼

A composite piano hinge comprising a pair of like hinge half portions each comprising a flange and an aligned plurality of loops forming tubular knuckles in spaced relation along one edge of the flange, the knuckles on the flange of one hinge half portion being inserted in the spaces between the knu

A composite piano hinge comprising a pair of like hinge half portions each comprising a flange and an aligned plurality of loops forming tubular knuckles in spaced relation along one edge of the flange, the knuckles on the flange of one hinge half portion being inserted in the spaces between the knuckles on the flange of the other hinge half portion, whereby all of the knuckles on both hinge half portions are in alignment, and a pin inserted through the loops forming the tubular portion of all of the knuckles, the flange and the loops on each hinge half portion being formed integrally and comprised of a composite fiber reinforced heat curable resin material, said flange of said hinge half portions comprising a pair of co-cured layers of said composite material, the thickness of said flange being less than the outer diameter of the loops forming said tubular knuckles, and including stitching across said layer closely adjacent to said loops.