US4801070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine duct and case construction
Assignee: Rohr Inc
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Filing: 1987-05-11
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Granted: 1989-01-31
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Expires: 2007-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing a reinforced duct structure for use with turbo-fan aircraft engines and the like. The duct is first cut from a flat metal sheet in a predetermined pattern. The sheet is rolled to form a tubular or conic structure of the approximate desired configuration and welded along the open seam. The welded tubular structure is then expanded to the exact required shape. The expanded tubular structure is cut out in selected areas to form a tubular grid structure. A tubular liner conforming to the inner surface of the tubular grid structure is installed and bonded to the grid structure forming an integral tubular structure of the desired configuration and strength and; attachment of any required mating flanges and structure bosses to the integral tubular structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Felix Hom
- 👤 Uwe Bockenhauer
- 👤 James R. Woodward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:18
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P15/00; B21; B21D; B21D51/00; B21D51/02; B21D51/10; F; F01; F01D; F01D25/00; F01D25/24; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Method of manufacturing force supporting and gas directing ducts, and cases comprising the steps of: (a) cutting a pattern of the desired configuration from a flat sheet of duct supporting material; (b) rolling said flat sheet of duct supporting material into a tubular structure with the two adjacent ends abutting; (c) bonding together said two ends; (d) shaping the tubular structure to the required shape; (e) removing selected portions of the tubular structure in a preselected pattern of ribs and bosses; and (f) bonding a thin sheet metal gas directing liner to the inner surface of said ribs and bosses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Method of manufacturing force supporting and gas directing ducts, and cases comprising the steps of: (a) cutting a pattern of the desired configuration from a flat sheet of duct supporting material; (b) rolling said flat sheet of duct supporting material into a tubular structure with the two adjacent ends abutting; (c) bonding together said two ends; (d) shaping the tubular structure to the required shape; (e) removing selected portions of the tubular structure in a preselected pattern of ribs and bosses; and (f) bonding a thin sheet metal gas directing liner to the inner surface of said ribs and bosses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of bonding attachment flanges to the open ends of duct.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting is performed by an abrasive water jet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting is performed by laser means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said shaping of said tubular structure is by heat and Delta-Alpha tooling.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said removing selected portions of said tubular structure is accomplished by an abrasive water jet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said removing selected portions of said tubular structure is accomplished by laser means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said bonding of a thin sheet gas directing liner to the inner surface of said ribs and bosses is by Liquid Interface Diffusion bonding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said bonding of a thin sheet gas directing comes to the liner surface of said ribs and bosses is by Solid State Diffusion Bonding.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 additionally comprising the step of bonding a thin sheet metal liner to the outer surface of said ribs and bosses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
Method of manufacturing force supporting and gas directing ducts comprising the steps of: (a) cutting a pattern of a desired configuration from a flat sheet of duct supporting material; (b) removing selected areas of said flat sheet of duct supporting material in a preselected pattern of ribs and bosses; (c) rolling said flat sheet of duct supporting material into a tubular structure with the two adjacent ends abutting; (d) bonding together said two ends; (e) shaping the tubular structure to the desired shape; (f) bonding a thin sheet metal gas directing liner to the inner surfaces of said ribs and bosses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
101 words
Method of manufacturing force supporting and gas directing ducts comprising the steps of: (a) cutting a pattern of a desired configuration from a flat sheet of duct supporting material; (b) removing selected areas of said flat sheet of duct supporting material in a preselected pattern of ribs and bosses; (c) rolling said flat sheet of duct supporting material into a tubular structure with the two adjacent ends abutting; (d) bonding together said two ends; (e) shaping the tubular structure to the desired shape; (f) bonding a thin sheet metal gas directing liner to the inner surfaces of said ribs and bosses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 11 wherein step (f) further includes the step of bonding attachment s to the open ends of said duct.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 11 wherein said cutting is by an abrasive water jet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 11 wherein said cutting is by laser means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said shaping of said tubular structure is by heat and Delta-Alpha tooling.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 including the additional step of bonding a liner to the outer surfaces of said ribs and bosses.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 including the additional step of configuring said ribs to form substantially an "I" beam cross section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-31 | 1992-08-01 | 1993-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-31 | 1996-08-01 | 1997-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-31 | 2000-08-01 | 2001-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |