Abstract:
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to prepare an aircraft surface, including depositing a first solution on a substrate on the aircraft surface, the substrate having a first charge, the first solution having a second charge opposite the first charge, the first solution including a carrier fluid, removing a first amount of the first solution deposited on the substrate to form a first layer on the substrate, depositing a second solution on the first layer, the second solution having the first charge, the second solution including the carrier fluid, and removing a second amount of the second solution deposited on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer to prepare the aircraft surface.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a rotor blade includes (1) assembling a first blade module that defines a first-module span axis and includes a first-module skin and a first- module spar, and each of the first-module skin and the first-module spar includes a first thermoplastic polymer and reinforcement material; (2) assembling a second blade module that defines a second-module span axis and includes a second-module skin and a second- module spar, and each of the second-module skin and the second-module spar includes a second thermoplastic polymer and reinforcement material; (3) transporting the first blade module and the second blade module to a field location; (4) aligning, at the field location, the first-module span axis with the second-module span axis to define an aligned pair of modules; and (5) heating a portion of the aligned pair of modules to form a weld joint between the first-module spar and the second-module spar.
Abstract:
Composites comprising at least one silicon-oxy-carbide (SOC) layer deposited onto a polymeric matrix substrate to enhance their thermo-oxidative stability are provided. The SOC layer is formed onto the polymeric matrix substrate by atmospheric plasma deposition to produce an thermo-oxidative barrier coating or an adhesion-promoting layer to enable the deposition of a variety of known (or future developed) metallic and/or ceramic materials as oxygen and/or thermal barriers.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a preform includes heating one or more layers of fibrous material containing a plurality of discontinuous structural fibers and a predetermined percentage of thermoplastic material to a first temperature above a softening temperature of the thermoplastic material, forming the one or more layers of fibrous material containing the thermoplastic material into a predetermined shape including at least one raised or depressed region, and cooling the one or more layers of fibrous material having the predetermined shape to a second temperature below the softening temperature to harden the thermoplastic material. The predetermined shape of the one or more layers of fibrous material is retained by the hardened thermoplastic material, and the cooled one or more layers of fibrous material containing the thermoplastic material are permeable.
Abstract:
A method of imparting electrical conductivity on an interlayer material is disclosed. In one non-limiting example the method includes forming the interlayer material from at least one layer of fabric of thermoplastic fibers. The method further includes, treating the surface of the interlayer material using an atmospheric-pressure plasma such that the surface of the interlayer material undergoes a surface activation. Additionally, the method includes depositing a layer of conductive material on the surface of the interlayer material such that the conductive material increases a conductivity of the interlayer material.
Abstract:
A system and method for forming an item from a material, which may include elongated fibers and/or stretched broken fibers. The material is placed on a first clamping portion, which is placed on a fixture. A second clamping portion is placed against the material and the first clamping portion and secured together, forming a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is removed from the fixture and placed on a first die portion, having a first profile. A second die portion is also provided, having a second profile. In forming the item, at least one of the first die portion and the second die portion are moved toward each other such that a second surface of the first die portion and a first surface of the second die portion contact and form the material into the item generally replicating the first profile and the second profile.
Abstract:
Composites comprising at least one silicon-oxy-carbide (SOC) layer deposited onto a polymeric matrix substrate to enhance their thermo-oxidative stability are provided. The SOC layer is formed onto the polymeric matrix substrate by atmospheric plasma deposition to produce an thermo-oxidative barrier coating or an adhesion-promoting layer to enable the deposition of a variety of known (or future developed) metallic and/or ceramic materials as oxygen and/or thermal barriers.
Abstract:
A composite manufacturing method includes the step of drawing a nonwoven fabric formed of continuous fibers through a slurry of discontinuous fibers suspended in a dispersive liquid to yield a fiber-modified interlayer comprising a network of said discontinuous fibers attached to said nonwoven fabric.
Abstract:
A system and method for forming an item from a material, which may include elongated fibers and/or stretched broken fibers. The material is placed on a first clamping portion, which is placed on a fixture. A second clamping portion is placed against the material and the first clamping portion and secured together, forming a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is removed from the fixture and placed on a first die portion, having a first profile. A second die portion is also provided, having a second profile. In forming the item, at least one of the first die portion and the second die portion are moved toward each other such that a second surface of the first die portion and a first surface of the second die portion contact and form the material into the item generally replicating the first profile and the second profile.
Abstract:
A system and method for forming an item from a material, which may include elongated fibers and/or stretched broken fibers. The material is placed on a first clamping portion, which is placed on a fixture. A second clamping portion is placed against the material and the first clamping portion and secured together, forming a clamping assembly. The clamping assembly is removed from the fixture and placed on a first die portion, having a first profile. A second die portion is also provided, having a second profile. In forming the item, at least one of the first die portion and the second die portion are moved toward each other such that a second surface of the first die portion and a first surface of the second die portion contact and form the material into the item generally replicating the first profile and the second profile.