Method of manufacturing folded structure with additive features

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a multi-sided or otherwise relatively three-dimensional formed structure for, e.g., an aerospace vehicle. A relatively planar base structure is constructed using a first construction technique. Features (e.g., ribs) are incorporated into the base structure using a second construction technique (e.g., additive or subtractive manufacturing) to create an intermediate structure. The intermediate structure is folded along fold-lines or otherwise physically formed to create the formed structure, such that some of the features are located within an internal space defined by the formed structure. Joints between the sides of the formed structure are welded, fastened, or otherwise secured. Separately constructed additional elements (e.g., bulkheads) may be incorporated into the structure. A closeout element may be added to the formed structure to further define and close the internal space. Throughout the process, the structures, features, and elements may be refined to desired tolerances.

Having thus described one or more embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional formed engine pylon structure, the method comprising:
 constructing a base structure;   creating one or more fold lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness in the base structure;   incorporating one or more features into the base structure to create an intermediate structure;   physically forming the intermediate structure, including folding the intermediate structure along the one or more fold lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness, to create the three-dimensional formed engine pylon structure, wherein at least one of the one or more features is located within an internal space defined by the three-dimensional formed engine pylon structure; and   securing one or more joints between two or more sides of the three-dimensional formed engine pylon structure.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure is constructed from wrought plate metal and comprises one or more thicker areas associated with one or more attachment points of the three-dimensional formed engine pylon structure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more features are incorporated into the base structure using an additive manufacturing technique. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more features include one or more stiffening ribs configured to physically stiffen the three-dimensional formed engine pylon structure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including, prior to forming, refining to a tolerance an area of the intermediate structure which will be located within the internal space after forming. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising two protrusions extending from the intermediate structure within the internal space, located to opposite sides of one of one of the one or more fold lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the two protrusions are positioned such that the two protrusions abut each other once either or both of the two protrusions are pivoted in a direction toward each other about the one of the one or more fold lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more joints are secured by welding. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more joints are secured by fastening. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further including incorporating one or more separately constructed additional elements into the intermediate structure prior to forming or into the three-dimensional formed engine pylon structure after forming. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more separately constructed additional elements include a bulkhead extending across the internal space. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further including incorporating a closeout element into the three-dimensional formed engine pylon structure, wherein the closeout element further defines and closes the internal space. 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a multi-sided formed engine pylon structure, the method comprising:
 constructing a base structure using a first construction technique;   creating one or more fold lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness in the base structure;   incorporating one or more additional features into the base structure using a second construction technique to create an intermediate structure;   refining to a tolerance an area of the intermediate structure which will be located within an internal space defined by the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure;   folding the intermediate structure along the one or more fold lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness to create the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure having two or more sides, wherein at least one of the one or more additional features is located within the internal space defined by the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure, wherein two protrusions extending from different ones of the two or more sides within the internal space are positioned proximate one of the one or more fold-lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness such that the two protrusions abut each other following completion of the folding step, thereby strengthening the multi-sided formed structure; and   securing one or more joints between the two or more sides of the multi-sided formed structure.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the base structure is constructed from wrought plate metal and comprises one or more thicker areas associated with one or more attachment points of the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second construction technique is an additive manufacturing technique. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more features include one or more stiffening ribs configured to physically stiffen the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the one or more joints are secured by welding. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further including incorporating one or more separately constructed additional elements into the intermediate structure prior to forming or into the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure after forming. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further including incorporating a closeout element into the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure, wherein the closeout element further defines and closes the internal space. 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a multi-sided formed engine pylon structure which is a component of an aerospace vehicle, the method comprising:
 constructing a base structure using a first construction technique;   creating one or more fold lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness in the base structure;   incorporating one or more additional features into the base structure using an additive manufacturing technique to create an intermediate structure, wherein the one or more additional features include one or more stiffening ribs configured to physically stiffen the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure;   refining to a tolerance an area of the intermediate structure which will be located within an internal space defined by the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure;   folding the intermediate structure along the one or more fold lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness to create the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure having two or more sides, wherein at least one of the one or more additional features is located within the internal space defined by the multi-sided formed engine pylon structure, wherein two protrusions extending from different ones of the two or more sides within the internal space are positioned proximate one of the one or more fold-lines of reduced cross-sectional thickness such that the two protrusions abut each other following completion of the folding step, thereby strengthening the multi-sided formed structure;   welding one or more joints between the two or more sides of the multi-sided formed structure; and   incorporating a closeout element into the multi-sided formed structure, wherein the closeout element further defines and closes the internal space.