The Boeing Company
Structure for trailing edge portion of rotor blade and method of manufacturing the structure

Abstract:

A structure for a trailing edge portion of a rotor blade, wherein the rotor blade has a leading edge, a trailing edge, and opposed upper and lower airfoil profiles each beginning at the leading edge and terminating at the trailing edge. The structure includes an inner core having a generally caret-shaped cross-sectional profile and upper and lower skins adhered to the inner core. The upper and lower skins have respective first and second portions adhered to the inner core, and respective third portions which are adhered to each other and which extend aftward to proximate the trailing edge. An upper pocket is defined by the second and third upper skin portions and the upper airfoil profile, and a lower pocket is defined by the second and third lower skin portions and the lower airfoil profile. The upper and lower pockets are filled with a fairing compound and/or an expandable adhesive.