Composite tail cone assembly

Details Composite tail cone assembly Composite tail cone assembly

2002-08-13

2004-05-04

Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Aircraft, heavier-than-air

Helicopter or auto-rotating wing sustained, i.e., gyroplanes

C244S017190

Reexamination Certificate

active

06729576

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a tail cone formed from a composite material. The tail cone has particularly utility on helicopters.
Conventional tail cones on helicopters are formed from metallic materials such as aluminum and aluminum alloys. As a result, these tail cones are heavy and expensive to produce. There is a need for tail cone assemblies formed from lightweight, inexpensive materials which have strength properties similar to, or better than, conventional metal tail cone assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tail cone which is lighter in weight and less expensive than conventional tail cone assemblies.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a tail cone as above which has particular utility on helicopters.
The foregoing objects are attained by the tail cone of the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, a tail cone broadly comprises a monocoque shell formed from a composite material. The composite material preferably comprises a non-metallic matrix, such as an epoxy resin matrix, having fibers, such as graphite fibers, embedded therein. The fibers may be oriented along a single axis or along multiple axes. Other components of the tail cone assembly may also be formed from composite materials, which composite materials may be the same as or different from the composite material forming the shell.


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patent: 6446907 (2002-09-01), Wilson et al.
Website: “M-130 Chaff Dispenser”, description of chaff dispenser for use on an M-130 helicopter; http://incolor.inebraska.com/iceman/pilot12.htm.*
Website: “M-130 General Purpose Dispenser”, description of chaff dispenser for use on an M-130 helicopter; http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/m-130.htm.

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