The Boeing Company
Wing airfoil stiffening for solar powered aircraft

Abstract:

A light-weight stiffened wing airfoil includes at least one wing segment (52). The wing segment comprises an upper (53b) and a lower skin assembly (53a), wherein each of the upper and lower skin assemblies incorporates a plurality of inwardly facing stringers (74); a first rib (64-1) at a distal end of the wing segment and a second rib (64-2) at a proximal end of the wing segment; a plurality of rib trusses (70) extending from the first and second ribs to the opposing skin assembly (53); and a plurality of support members extending from the inwardly facing stringers to the opposing skin assembly.