Method and a device for bonding a metal fairing to the leading edge of an airfoil

摘要

The present invention relates to a method and to a device (1) for bonding a metal fairing (6) to protect a leading edge of an aircraft airfoil (7), said metal fairing (6) being designed to be bonded against said airfoil (7) with the help of an adhesive (9). The bonding device (1) is remarkable in that it includes a rigid yoke (2) having inserted therein induction heater means (30) for heating said metal fairing (6).

主权项

1. A method of bonding a metal fairing for protecting a leading edge of an aircraft airfoil, an adhesive being disposed between the metal fairing and the airfoil, a bonding device being arranged around an outside face of the metal fairing, the bonding device comprising a rigid yoke in which induction heater means are inserted for heating the metal fairing, and wherein the induction heater means are arranged between first and second primary layers of a thermo-expandable material, the second primary layer matching a shape of the metal fairing while the device is in use, said method comprising the following steps performed in succession:
a) induction heating the metal fairing with the help of the bonding device to reach a first temperature at which the adhesive is liquefied so as to wet the airfoil and the metal fairing; b) at the end of a first duration, heating the fairing to reach a second temperature enabling the adhesive to polymerize; c) at the end of a second duration, heating the metal fairing to reach a third temperature in order to enable polymerization to be complete and uniform; and d) at the end of a third duration, cooling the metal fairing.