Patent ID: 8104714
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. An aircraft wing box structure comprising: a front wing spar having a front spar web, wherein the front spar web is constructed from composite materials; a rear wing spar having a rear spar web, wherein the rear spar web is constructed from composite materials; a plurality of wing ribs extending between the front wing spar and the rear wing spar, wherein each wing rib has a corresponding rib web constructed from composite materials, wherein each rib web has a front portion and a rear portion, and wherein each rib web is fixedly attached to the front spar web by: a first metallic joining member having a first base portion and a first upstanding leg portion, wherein the first base portion includes a first surface portion structurally bonded to the front spar web, and wherein the first upstanding leg portion includes a second surface portion structurally bonded to the front portion of the rib web; and a second metallic joining member having a second base portion and a second upstanding leg portion, wherein the second upstanding leg portion includes a third surface portion structurally bonded to the front portion of the rib web opposite the first upstanding leg of the first metallic joining member, and wherein the first base portion of the first metallic joining member is sandwiched between the second base portion of the second metallic joining member and the front spar web.