GB1380245A - Articles having a metallic body or core of cellular formation - Google Patents

Abstract

1380245 Making aerofoils, seals, cellular structures &c. MICROCOMB STRUCTURES Ltd 24 Jan 1972 [23 Nov 1970] 55509/70 Heading B3A [Also in Divisions E1 and F2] A metallic body of fabricated cellular formation, e.g. an aerofoil section or honeycomb seal, wherein the cells are defined by an array of juxtaposed sheet metal elements 10a-10c, crossed with similar elements 11a &c. by the provision of slots such as the slots 14a-14e, Fig. 3, is made by a method comprising: forming each element from flat metal sheet by chemically etching away metal from around a blanked-off region of a metal sheet to provide a predetermined contour, e.g. suitable to define the aerofoil section shown, and thereafter assembling the elements in their predetermined relative positions and fixedly locating them relatively to one another through interengagement of the elements 10a-10e with the slots in the elements 11a &c. and vice versa. Some of the elements may be deformed prior to assembly in order to produce a curved body. In the aerofoil core shown, Fig. 5, the metal elements may be fixed together by spot welding, but preferably the fixing is effected by using nickel-coated sheet metal for the elements and, after assembly, heating the core in a vacuum or non-oxidizing atmosphere to cause the nickel to flow and create intimate metal-to-metal junctions between the elements at the junctions. Further strengthening may be provided at certain places by the use of metal slugs 18. The aerofoil may be located on the core by means of projections (not shown) on the latter which engage in slots in the aerofoil. In the case of a honeycomb seal (not shown), the cells may be filled with a thermosetting resin to give a solid external appearance to the seal.