Window replacement for filling a window frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a window replacement for filling a window frame in an aircraft, in particular a passenger aircraft, the window replacement being fixable by means of a retainer in the window frame in place of the window assembly when the window assembly is removed. According to the invention, the window replacement comprises a panel-shaped element with at least a single curvature, the panel-shaped element, being made of a synthetic material. In one configurational variant, the window replacement according to the invention is formed by a monolithic panel-shaped element. In a second configurational variant, the panel-shaped element of the window replacement is formed by a sandwich panel. Both embodiments allow a weight reduction in comparison with a window replacement of a metallic material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic inner view of a window in a passenger aircraft,

FIG. 2 shows a cross section along the sectional line II-II through the window frame in accordance with FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the window frame with a fitted first configurational variant of a window replacement according to the invention, and

FIG. 4 shows a second configurational variant of the window replacement.

In the drawings, the same structural elements in each case have the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic inner view of a window usually fitted in a passenger aircraft, with a window frame and a window assembly.

A window frame 1 is fixed in the area of a window opening 2 to an outer skin 3 of the fuselage of a passenger aircraft, for example being riveted or adhesively bonded to it. By means of a retainer 4, a window assembly 5 is pressed into the window frame 1, in order to ensure a firm and, in particular, pressure-sealed fit of the window assembly 5 in the window frame 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connection between the retainer 4 and the window frame 1 is achieved by a total of eight fastening elements 6.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section through a window frame that is usually used for passenger aircraft, according to FIG. 1, along the sectional line II-II.

The window assembly 5 is pressed by means of the retainer 4 onto a slightly conical bearing surface 7 of the window frame 1. As a result of the conicity of the bearing surface 7, the window assembly 5 centres itself of its own accord in the window frame. The window frame 1 is firmly connected to the outer skin 3 of the fuselage by means of fastening elements (not represented), for example in the form of rivets. The window assembly 5 comprises an interior window pane 8 with an exterior window pane 9 arranged parallel to it with a spacing in between, which are enclosed by a peripheral seal 10. To receive the interior window pane 8 and the exterior window pane 9, the seal 10 has two peripheral inner grooves or inwardly directed recesses. Between the interior window pane 8 and the exterior window pane 9 there is an air-filled intermediate space 11. Air is admitted to the intermediate space 11 from the passenger cabin, in order to prevent icing of any condensate that may be deposited. The fastening element 6 comprises an eye bolt 12 and a nut 13 that can be screwed onto it. A vertical web 14 of the window frame 1 also has a bore for leading through a cross bolt 15. By tightening the nut 13, the retainer 4, the window assembly 5 and the window frame 1 are braced with respect to one another. The configuration of the other seven fastening elements corresponds to the construction described above of the fastening element 6.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section through a window frame with a fitted first configurational variant of a window replacement.

The window frame 1 is firmly connected to the outer skin 3 of the fuselage in the area of the window opening 2. The web 14 of the window frame 1 and the cross bolt 15 are structurally unchanged in relation to the described embodiment in accordance with FIG. 2.

The window replacement 16 is formed by a monolithic panel-shaped element 17. The panel-shaped element 17 has at least a single curvature, which corresponds approximately to the respective local curvature of the outer skin 3 of the fuselage. On account of the smaller material thickness of the panel-shaped element 17 in comparison with the overall height of the window assembly 5, a retainer 18 has a greater height in comparison with the retainer 4 represented in FIG. 2. A likewise modified peripheral seal 19 surrounds the panel-shaped element 17. By contrast with the seal 10 described in FIG. 2, the seal 19 has just one peripheral recess or groove for receiving an edge of the panel-shaped-element 17 and a correspondingly lower overall height in comparison with the seal 10. The fixing of the window replacement 16 or the panel-shaped element 17 in the window frame 1 or on the conical bearing surface 7 is performed in a known way by means of the eye bolt 12 and the nut 13 and by means of the cross bolt 15 arranged in the area of the web 14 of the window frame 1. An inner surface 20 of the panel-shaped element 17 may also have reinforcing elements (not represented), for example in the form of ribs or beads.

The panel-shaped element 17 is formed for example from a curable fiber reinforced synthetic material, for example from a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin. The production of the window replacement 16 or the panel-shaped element 17 may be performed continuously in large numbers, for example by means of a CRP “prepreg” material in web form of the required material thickness and fiber orientation. Before or during the curing of the panel-shaped element 17 that is cut or punched out from the web material, or removed from the web material in some other way, it may be adapted to the respective local curvature of the outer skin 3 of the fuselage. The panel-shaped element 17 may be curved once or twice (spherical). The material thickness of the monolithic panel-shaped element 17 is preferably up to 5 mm.

FIG. 4 shows a second configurational variant of the window replacement.

As a difference from the first configurational variant, a window replacement 21 with a sandwich panel 22 is formed as the panel-shaped element 23. The sandwich panel 22 has a core structure 24, which is provided on either side with an interior outer layer 25 and an exterior outer layer 26. Here, the dimensions or the shape of the interior and exterior outer layers 25, 26 coincide substantially identically with those of the interior and exterior window panes 8, 9 of the window assembly 5. Therefore, it is easily possible for the window replacement 21 to take the place of the window assembly 5. The seal 10 described in FIG. 2 can also (continue to) be used unchanged with the window replacement 21. To make this possible, the core structure 24 of the sandwich panel 22 has with preference a material thickness that corresponds approximately to a spacing between the interior window pane 8 and the exterior window pane 9 of the conventional window assembly 5 or the spacing of the interior space 11. In a way corresponding to the window assembly 5, the interior outer layer 25 and the exterior outer layer 26 are enclosed or bordered by a peripheral seal 27. The cross-sectional geometry of the seal 27 corresponds substantially to the cross-sectional geometry of the seal 10 of the window assembly 5 (cf. FIG. 2), so that the window assembly 5 can be exchanged for the window replacement 21 without any appreciable structural modifications. In a way corresponding to the window assembly 5, the window replacement 21 in the fitted state lies against the conical bearing surface 7 of the window frame 1. In principle, it would be possible to continue to use the old seal 10 of the window assembly 5 for the window replacement 21, but in practice the window replacement 21 is generally provided with a brand-new seal 27 for safety reasons.

The interior and exterior outer layers 25, 26 are formed from a fiber reinforced, curable synthetic material, in particular with a carbon reinforced epoxy resin. The core structure 24 may be formed, for example, in a known way from Nomex® paper or from aluminium honeycombs. The material thicknesses of the interior and exterior outer layers 25, 26 correspond approximately to the corresponding thicknesses of the interior and exterior window panes 8, 9 that are usually used in the window assembly 5.

Moreover, the core structure 24 is capable of drainage, that is to say the core structure 24 is formed in particular from a folded honeycomb or from a slit honeycomb. As a result, the draining away of any condensate that may form in the area of the core structure 24 is ensured and freezing of the same is prevented. The configuration of the window replacement 21 with the sandwich panel 22 leads to a heat insulating capacity that is comparable with the window assembly 5 usually fitted in a window frame 1 and furthermore leads to reduced weight in comparison with the monolithic embodiment (cf. FIG. 3). An inner surface 28 of the panel-shaped element 23 may also have reinforcing elements (not represented), for example in the form of ribs or beads.

The second configurational variant of the window replacement 21, represented in FIG. 4, can consequently take the place directly of the window assembly 5 without any structural modifications of the fastening means, in particular of the retainer 4, the eye bolt 12, the nut 13, the web 14 and the cross bolt 15.

The first configurational variant has a simpler construction in comparison with the second configurational variant of the window replacement 21. In addition, the first configurational variant of the window replacement 16 makes it possible for it to be produced easily and at low cost, in particular by means of continuous production processes. However, the window replacement 16 in accordance with the first configurational variant does not have the heat insulating capacity of the window replacement 21 in accordance with, the second configurational variant, which is achieved in particular by the sandwich structure. In addition, the first configurational variant has a lower mass in relation to the second configurational variant of the window replacement 21 with the sandwich panel 22.

However, neither of the two configurational variants of, the window replacement 16, 21 have to meet increased mechanical requirements, since only the forces caused by the increased cabin pressure have to be taken up. All the structural fuselage loads are borne by the window frame 1 and directed away via the window opening 2, so that in particular there is no need for a reinforcing fiber orientation based on stress transmission or distribution and/or a specific layer sequence of the reinforcing fabrics that are used.

Both variants of the window replacement are opaque to visible light and to electromagnetic radiation in the near and far infrared ranges, in order inter alia to make it impossible to see into the space inside the aircraft from the outside.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 window frame

2 window opening

3 outer skin of fuselage

4 retainer

5 window assembly

6 fastening element

7 conical bearing surface

8 interior window pane

9 exterior window pane

10 seal

11 intermediate space

12 eye bolt

13 nut

14 web

15 cross bolt

16 window replacement

17 panel-shaped element

18 retainer

19 seal

20 inner surface

21 window replacement

22 sandwich panel

23 panel-shaped element

24 core structure

25 interior outer layer

26 exterior outer layer

27 seal

28 inner surface

Claims

1. A window replacement for filling a window frame in an aircraft, in particular a passenger aircraft, the window replacement being fixable by means of a retainer in the window frame in place of the window assembly when the window assembly is removed, wherein the window replacement comprises a panel-shaped element with at least a single curvature, with the panel-shaped element being made of a synthetic material.

2. The window replacement according to claim 1, wherein the window replacement comprises a peripheral seal.

3. The window replacement according to claim 1, wherein the panel-shaped element is of a monolithic form and the synthetic material is fiber-reinforced.

4. The window replacement according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic material is a curable carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin.

5. The window replacement according to claim 1, wherein the panel-shaped element is a sandwich panel, comprising a core structure that is arranged between an interior outer layer and an exterior outer layer.

6. The window replacement according to claim 5, wherein the core structure capable of drainage.

7. The window replacement according to claim 5, wherein the core structure is a folded honeycomb core structure or a slit honeycomb core structure.

8. The window replacement according to claim 5, wherein the core structure is formed from a closed-cell rigid foam.

9. The window replacement according to claim 5, wherein the interior outer layer and the exterior outer layer are formed from a fiber reinforced synthetic material, in particular by a curable carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin.

10. The window replacement according to claim 5, wherein the window replacement substantially corresponds in shape and dimensions to the window assembly, in order to permit an exchange without structural modifications.