Reinforced elastomer panel

Details Reinforced elastomer panel Reinforced elastomer panel

1998-08-17

2002-04-23

Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Aircraft structure

Details

C244S123800

Reexamination Certificate

active

06375122

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of flexible elastic panels and more particularly to the field of reinforced elastomer panels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Reinforced elastomer panels are applicable for use on aircraft to eliminate gaps around control surfaces. Open gaps result in turbulence and leakage that result in reduced effectiveness of the control surface. A prior art reinforced elastomer panel
50
is shown in FIG.
1
. The elastomer panel
50
has a rod block
52
attached along one edge to an elastomeric skin
54
. The elastomeric skin
54
is capable of stretching to up to 100% of its unstressed length. A plurality of rods
56
are permanently attached to the rod block
52
and are allowed to slide freely inside the elastomer skin
54
. The rods
56
provide the elastomeric skin
54
with a curvilinear shape when the elastomer panel
50
is elongated, deflected or twisted.
A second rod block
58
is attached to an opposite edge of the elastomeric skin
54
. The second rod block
58
has a plurality of holes through which the plurality of rods
56
are allowed to slide freely. Both the rod block
52
and the second rod block
58
have attachment provisions
60
, for attaching the elastomer panel
50
to the surface of an aircraft.
However, a number of problems have been found with the prior art. The rod blocks
52
,
58
are made of solid metal and are heavy. In addition, the holes have to be drilled through the rod blocks. Because of the length of these holes the drill bits break often, making this an expensive slow process. Another problem that has occurred is that the rods
56
tend to rub along the holes in the rod block
58
. The rods rub as they slide along the rod block
58
, when the elastomeric panel
50
is elongated or deflected as shown in FIG.
2
. This significantly reduces the cycle life of the panel and results in the whole panel
50
having to be replaced.
Thus there exists a need for a reinforced elastomer panel that overcomes these and other problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A reinforced elastomer panel that overcomes these and other problems has a first rigid member with an edge attached to a first end of an elastomeric panel. Also attached to the first rigid member is a reinforcing member that extends through the elastomer panel. A second rigid member has an edge attached to a second end of the elastomer panel. A flexible inelastic strip runs along an attachment line between the first rigid member and the elastomeric panel.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1379921 (1921-05-01), Holle
patent: 2039372 (1936-05-01), Wickman
patent: 2368702 (1945-02-01), Bourne
patent: 2731221 (1956-01-01), Holton
patent: 2973170 (1961-02-01), Rodman
patent: 3893639 (1975-07-01), Croswell
patent: 4429844 (1984-02-01), Brown et al.
patent: 4892626 (1990-01-01), Covey
patent: 5222699 (1993-06-01), Albach et al.
patent: 5662294 (1997-09-01), Maclean et al.
patent: 5810291 (1998-09-01), Geiger et al.
patent: 5892877 (1999-04-01), Meyerhoefer
patent: 5896191 (1999-04-01), Beier et al.
patent: 5913494 (1999-06-01), Burbridge et al.
patent: 5927651 (1999-07-01), Geders et al.
patent: 5941480 (1999-08-01), Wille
patent: 5947417 (1999-09-01), Cameron
patent: 5947422 (1999-09-01), Wille
patent: 5958803 (1999-09-01), Geiger
patent: 5975463 (1999-11-01), Gruensfelder et al.
patent: 5979828 (1999-11-01), Gruensfelder et al.
patent: 6027074 (2000-02-01), Cameron et al.
patent: 6048581 (2000-04-01), Waldrop, III
patent: 1536953 (1963-10-01), None
U.S. S/N 08/932,947; filed Sep. 17, 1997; (allowed).
U.S. S/N 09/082,817; filed May 21, 1998; (pending).
U.S. S/N 09/108,858; filed Jul. 1, 1998; (pending).
U.S. S/N 08/898,162; filed Jul. 22, 1997; (allowed).
U.S. S/N 08/897,341; filed Jul. 21, 1997; (pending).
U.S. S/N 08/718,771; filed Aug. 20, 1998; (pending).
U.S. S/N 08/814,497; filed Mar. 10, 1997; (pending).
U.S. S/N 09/094,299; filed Jun. 9, 1998; (pending).
U.S. S/N 08/576,466; filed Dec. 21, 1995; (allowed).
U.S. S/N 09/294,443; filed Aug. 17, 1998; (pending).
U.S. S/N 09/294,444; filed Aug. 17, 1998; (pending).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Reinforced elastomer panel does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Reinforced elastomer panel, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Reinforced elastomer panel will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2874900