Patent ID: 8192574

Claim:
Process for bonding a preformed component with an aircraft skin, comprising the steps of: positioning the aircraft skin with a tool surface; applying a bonding agent at one or more intended contact points between the skin and a preformed component; placing the preformed component with the aircraft skin, the bonding agent therebetween; arranging vacuum bagging material about the preformed component and the aircraft skin; sealing the vacuum bagging material about a vent in the preformed component; sealing the vacuum bagging material to the tool surface to enclose the preformed component and the aircraft skin; applying a vacuum within the bagging material, to compress the preformed component with the aircraft skin; and autoclaving the bagged preformed component with the aircraft skin such that the autoclave directly pressurizes the interior of the preformed component, to cure the bonding agent and bond the component with the aircraft skin; wherein the preformed component remains free of any separate internal support during the bonding process.