Composite panel structures

Claim 2

A composite structure, comprising: a. a cellular core formed by a plurality of rows of means defining contiguous cells; b. means defining communicating apertures connecting each cell which is surrounded by contiguous others of said cells, with each said cell contiguous therewith that is in the same row; c. means defining a cut-away portion of each edge of the plurality of rows of means defining contiguous cells; d. two facing sheets abutting the two respective opposite ends of the cells to sandwich the core therebetween, only one of these sheets being perforated; e. edge member means placed flatwise about the periphery of the core and extending between the two facing sheets to complete enclose of the core; f. drainage passage means defined between the cut-away portions, the edge members and one of the two facing sheets; g. means defining at least one drain hole formed in the facing sheets and edge members and communicating with the drainage passage means to drain liquid entering the structure and passing to the drainage passage.

Claim 3

A composite sound absorbing structure for a gas turbine engine comprising a cellular core formed by a plurality of rows of means defining contiguous hexagonal, honeycomb fashion, cells; means defining communicating apertures connecting each cell which is surrounded by contiguous others of said cells with each said cell contiguous therewith that is in the same row and arranged at one end of each cell; two facing sheets abutting the two respective opposite ends of the cells to sandwich the core therebetween, only one of these sheets being perforated; edge member means placed flatewise about the periphery of the core and extending between the two facing sheets to complete enclosure of the core; the periphery of the core, next to one of said sheets and next to the edge member means, being obliquely bevelled; drainage passage means defined between the oblique bevels, the edge members of one of the two facing sheets; and means defining at least one drain hole formed in the facing sheets and edge members and communicating with the drainage passage means to drain liquid entering the structure through the perforated facing sheets and passing to the drainage passage through the means defining communicating apertures connecting the cells of a row.

Claim 4

A composite sound absorbing structure for a gas turbine engine comprising a cellular core formed by a plurality of rows of means defining contiguous hexagonal, honeycomb fashion, cells; means defining communicating apertures connecting each cell which is surrounded by contiguous others of said cells with each said cell contiguous therewith that is in the same row and arranged at one end of each cell; two facing sheets abutting the two respective opposite ends of the cells to sandwich the core therebetween, only one of these sheets being perforated; edge member means placed flatewise about the periphery of the core and extending between the two facing sheets to complete enclosure of the core; the periphery of the core, next to one of said sheets and next to the edge member means, being obliquely bevelled; drainage passage means defined between the oblique bevels, the edge members of one of the two facing sheets; and means defining at least one drain hole formed in the facing sheets and edge members and communicating with the drainage passage means to drain liquid entering the structure through the perforated facing sheets and passing to the drainage passage through the means defining communicating apertures connecting the cells of a row.