Patent ID: 8177513

Claim:
A method for assembling an outlet guide vane, said method comprising: providing an outlet guide vane frame having a first side and a second side, the outlet guide vane comprising: a radially inward flange coupled to a radially outward flange by a leading edge; a trailing edge coupled to the radially inward flange and the radially outward flange aft of the leading edge; a cavity defined between the radially inward flange, the radially outward flange, the leading edge, and the trailing edge; and a first and a second assembly surface circumscribing the cavity on the first and second side respectively, wherein the outlet guide vane includes a profile that tapers outwardly from the leading edge at least partially to the trailing edge to define a leading edge portion and tapers outwardly from the trailing edge at least partially towards the leading edge to define a trailing edge portion and then tapers inwardly from the leading edge portion and from the trailing edge portion to define the first and second assembly surfaces, and wherein the profile tapers further inwardly to form the cavity; coupling a filler portion within the cavity, the filler portion including a third side and a fourth side; coupling a first skin to the third side and the first assembly surface, wherein the first skin is sized to overlay the filler portion and the first assembly surface, extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion and is configured substantially flush with the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion; and coupling a second skin to the fourth side and the second assembly surface, wherein the second skin is sized to overlay the filler portion and the second assembly surface, extending between the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion and is configured substantially flush with the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion, wherein at least one of the first skin and the second skin are fabricated from a composite material.