Patent ID: 7883657
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: B29C,B29L,B64C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of enabling two aircraft components to be joined together, said method including the steps of providing a first aircraft component and a second aircraft component, the first aircraft component having a surface to be joined to a corresponding surface of said second aircraft component, said first and second components being so shaped that if joined there would be a space defined between said surfaces of said first and second components, providing a resin infusion system comprising a source of resin, said resin infusion system comprising a moulding tool, the moulding tool being distinct from the second aircraft component and having a surface for arrangement against said first aircraft component, said surface of the moulding tool being shaped to correspond to said surface of said second aircraft component such that, when said surface of said moulding tool is arranged against said first aircraft component, a gap is present between the surface of the moulding tool and the first aircraft component, arranging said moulding tool surface against said first aircraft component such that said gap is formed between said moulding tool surface and said first aircraft component, effecting flow of said resin from said source of resin into said gap between said moulding tool surface and said first aircraft component by means of suction, thereby substantially filling said gap with resin, the flow of the resin out of the gap is restricted by means of a barrier and at least a part of the barrier is formed by said moulding tool; curing said resin to form a shim on said first aircraft component, and removing from the moulding tool the said first aircraft component bearing said shim.