Abstract:
A movable surface of an aircraft has a front spar extending along a spanwise direction between opposing movable surface ends. The movable surface also includes a plurality of ribs defining a plurality of bays between adjacent pairs of the ribs. Each rib extends between the front spar and a trailing edge portion of the movable surface. The movable surface further includes an upper and a lower skin panels coupled to the ribs and the front spar. In addition, the bull surface includes a plurality of bead stiffeners coupled to an inner surface of at least one of the upper skin panel and the lower skin panel. The bead stiffeners within the bays are spaced apart from each other and are oriented non-parallel to the front spar and have a bead stiffener cap having opposing cap ends respectively locate proximate the front spar and the trailing edge portion.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented method of determining moisture content of a composite structure is provided. The method includes performing a thermal analysis calculation on the composite structure to determine a temporal surface temperature profile of the composite structure based on temporal environmental parameter profiles, wherein the surface temperature profile is determined independently of a moisture content of the composite structure. The method also includes performing a moisture content analysis calculation on the composite structure to determine a moisture content of the composite structure, wherein the moisture content analysis calculation is based on the determined temporal surface temperature profile and a thickness of the composite structure. The thermal analysis calculation is performed iteratively with a first time period and the moisture content analysis calculation is performed iteratively with a second time period that is longer than the first time period.
Abstract:
Manufacturing a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with a first load fitting comprising the steps of braiding a first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material around a soluble, expandable mandrel. A first load fitting is positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material. A second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material is braided around the first load fitting and the mandrel so as to form an overbraided mandrel embedded with the first load fitting. The overbraided mandrel is installed into a matched tooling assembly and heated at a specified heating profile in order to consolidate the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material and the second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material with the first load fitting so as to form a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with the first load fitting. A second load fitting may be positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material.
Abstract:
A system and method for harvesting energy from a vehicle, e.g., an aircraft, in operation. A plurality of piezoelectric members are coupled between structural members in the vehicle. A first portion of the plurality of piezoelectric members are non-resonant piezoelectric spacers coupled between structural members subject to a constant load during operation of the vehicle. A second portion of the plurality of piezoelectric members are resonant piezoelectric fillers coupled between structural members subject to a cyclical load during operation of the vehicle. Electrical conversion circuitry is coupled to each of the plurality of piezoelectric members for converting the output of each piezoelectric member to usable electrical energy. The electrical conversion circuitry is coupled to an energy storage device for storing the usable electrical energy and/or to an interface circuit for supplying energy for use in an electrical system in the vehicle.
Abstract:
A water and ice detection and quantitative assessment system (“WIDQAS”) for moisture detection and assessment of water accumulation on an aircraft having an airframe that has at least one enclosed space within the airframe is described. The WIDQAS may include a plurality of sensors and a data measurement device. The plurality of sensors may be arranged in the at least one enclosed space within the airframe and each sensor of the plurality of sensors may be configured to detect a presence of moisture in the at least one enclosed space and generate a data measurement that is responsive to the detection of moisture in the at least one enclosed space. The data measurement device is in signal communication with the plurality of sensors and may be configured to record the data measurement for each sensor and record identifying information about the measurement during a flight of the aircraft.
Abstract:
Chopped fiber composite systems and methods are disclosed. Sorting systems include a conveyor, an imager, a plurality of receptacles, a pneumatic device, and controller. Molding systems include a conveyor, an imager, a mold, a pneumatic device, and a controller. The controller directs the pneumatic device to alter the freefall of chopped fiber composite pieces based on characteristics of the chopped fiber composite pieces as they drop from the conveyor and into a receptacle or a mold. Sorting and molding methods include dropping chopped fiber composite pieces, detecting characteristics of the dropping pieces, and directing the pieces based on the detected characteristics.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for curing complex fiber-reinforced composite structures utilize two distinct heat sources. A first heat source is utilized for heating a complex fiber-reinforced composite structure from within an internal portion of the complex fiber-reinforced composite structure. A second heat source is utilized for heating the complex fiber-reinforced composite structure from an external surface of the complex fiber-reinforced composite structure.
Abstract:
A method of bonding materials may comprise defining a bond interface between two materials in a cure zone on a surface of an object, and non-conductively heating the bond interface without directly heating the surface outside of the cure zone. Non-conductively heating the bond interface may involve applying microwave radiation to the bond interface.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a radius filler may include providing a plurality of fibers, braiding the plurality of fibers into a braided preform, shaping the braided preform into a braided radius filler, and cutting the braided radius filler to a desired length.
Abstract:
A system for heating a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator may include an SMA actuator, a smart susceptor, a plurality of induction coils, and a control module. The SMA actuator may have at least one layup. The SMA actuator may be selectively heated to a transition temperature. The smart susceptor may be in thermal contact with the at least one layup of the SMA actuator. The induction heating coils may be configured to receive an alternating current and generate a magnetic field based on the alternating current. The magnetic field may create an eddy current in at least one of the SMA actuator and the smart susceptor to heat the SMA actuator to the transition temperature. The control module may be configured to drive the alternating current supplied to the induction heating coils.