Patent ID: 7931233

Claim:
A leading edge member for an aircraft, the aircraft having a substructure, at least a portion of the substructure being attached to a partial airfoil skin, the partial airfoil skin being a first airfoil member of an airfoil, the leading edge member comprising: an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface forming a surface thickness therebetween; a first set of pockets located in a first region approximate an inboard portion of the leading edge member; a second set of pockets located in a second region approximate an outboard portion of the leading edge member; and wherein each pocket is recessed into the interior surface of the leading edge member, each pocket defining a region of the leading edge member having a pocket thickness that is less than the surface thickness of the leading edge member, each pocket being configured to deform in response to an impact from an object with the leading edge member, each pocket being disposed solely within the leading edge member; wherein each pocket in the first set of pockets is at least one of an oval shape and a circular shape, the first set of pockets being configured to deform according to a first crumple characteristic; wherein each pocket in the second set of pockets has an approximately rectangular shape, the second set of pockets being configured to deform according to a second crumple characteristic, the second crumple characteristic being different from the first crumple characteristic; wherein the leading edge member is configured for attachment to the substructure, such that the exterior surface of the leading edge member forms a second airfoil member of the airfoil; wherein the second airfoil member is fixed in relation to the first airfoil member.