Housing for aircraft mounted components

Abstract

A traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) device is provided. The device includes a radome having an antenna. A chassis is bonded to said radome about a periphery by a skirt layer. A housing is adhesively bonded to the radome, the skirt layer and the chassis. The housing has a substantially flat bottom portion with a wall extended about a periphery, the wall forming a lap joint with the chassis and radome.

1 . A traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) device comprising:
 a radome having an antenna;   a chassis bonded to said radome about a periphery by a skirt layer; and   a housing adhesively bonded to the radome, the skirt layer and the chassis, the housing having a substantially flat bottom portion with a wall extended about a periphery to define an interior portion, the wall forming a lap joint with the chassis and radome.   
     
     
         2 . The TCAS device of  claim 1  wherein the housing is formed from a first layer and a second layer, each of the first layer and second layer made from a pre-impregnated E-glass composite. 
     
     
         3 . The TCAS device of  claim 2  wherein the first layer includes a first end and a second end, the first end having a first plurality of darts, the second end having second plurality of darts. 
     
     
         4 . The TCAS device of  claim 3  wherein the second layer includes a third end and a fourth end, the third end having a third plurality of darts and the fourth end having a fourth plurality of darts, the third plurality of darts being positioned in a non-overlapping arrangement with the first plurality of darts and the fourth plurality of darts being positioned in a non-overlapping arrangement with the second plurality of darts. 
     
     
         5 . The TCAS of  claim 1  wherein the housing, the adhesive layer and the radome are made from materials having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion. 
     
     
         6 . A housing for a device that is mounted to an exterior of an aircraft, the device having a chassis and a radome, the housing comprising:
 a first layer having substantially planar first surface, the first layer having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end arranged between the first side and the second side, and a second end opposite the first end;   a second layer adjacent the first layer, the second layer having a substantially planar second surface, the second layer having a third side and a fourth side opposite, a third end arranged between the third side and the fourth side, and a fourth end opposite the third end;   wherein the first side, second side, third side, fourth side, first end, second end third end and fourth end form a wall extending about a periphery of the device, the wall forming a lap-joint about the chassis and radome.   
     
     
         7 . The housing of  claim 6  wherein the first end includes a first plurality of darts and the second end includes a second plurality of darts. 
     
     
         8 . The housing of  claim 7  wherein the third end includes a third plurality of darts and the fourth end includes a fourth plurality of darts. 
     
     
         9 . The housing of  claim 8  wherein the first plurality of darts and the third plurality of darts are positioned adjacent each other in a non-overlapping arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . The housing of  claim 9  wherein the second plurality of darts and the fourth plurality of darts are positioned adjacent each other in a non-overlapping arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The housing of  claim 6  wherein the first layer and the second layer are formed from pre-impregnated E-glass composite material.