Abstract:
A turbine engine exhaust nozzle includes a core gas duct, a nozzle duct, and a thrust vectoring duct system having a duct valve, a first vectoring duct and a second vectoring duct. The nozzle duct directs a first portion of core gas from the core gas duct through a nozzle duct outlet along a centerline. The duct valve connects the core gas duct to the first vectoring duct during a first mode of operation, and connects the core gas duct to the second vectoring duct during a second mode of operation. The first vectoring duct directs a second portion of core gas from the core gas duct through a first vectoring duct outlet along a first trajectory. The second vectoring duct directs a third portion of core gas from the core gas duct through a second vectoring duct outlet along a second trajectory that is angularly offset to the first trajectory.
Abstract:
Metal-plated polymeric components and other materials having improved propertiessuch as increased interfacial bond strengths, increased durability, increased heat resistance, and improved wear and erosion resistance are described. Methods for fabricating such metal-plated polymeric components and other materials are also described.
Abstract:
Non-contact strain measurement systems and their method of use to detect strain on rotating components are disclosed. A non-contact strain measurement system comprises magnetic materials plated onto a rotatable component in addition to appropriate encoders and controller. The magnetic materials are spaced apart a first distance D 1 when the component is not rotating, and a second distance D 2 when the component is rotating. The encoders and controller are utilized to detect strain on the rotating component. A method of using the system to detect strain on a rotating component includes detecting the first distance D 1 then detecting the second distance D 2 , and calculating the strain imparted onto the component from a difference between D 1 and D 2 .
Abstract:
An airfoil is disclosed. The airfoil may comprise a leading edge, a body portion and a trailing edge formed from a high-modulus plating. The body portion of the airfoil may be formed from a material having a lower elastic modulus than the high-modulus plating. The high-modulus plating may improve the stiffness of the trailing edge, allowing for thinner trailing edges with improved fatigue life to be formed.
Abstract:
A fuel/oil manifold includes first and second manifold flanges and a manifold tube. The first and second manifold flanges are located in non-parallel planes with respect to one another. The manifold tube is connected at a first end to the first manifold flange and at a second end to the second manifold flange and includes at least one turn between the first and the second end that includes a non-zero tube bend radius defined as the ratio of a turn radius to a diameter of the manifold tube.
Abstract:
Methods for repairing plated metallic layers on plated polymeric parts are disclosed. First, a polymer is formed into an article of a desired shape or geometry. The outer surface of the article is prepared to receive a catalyst and then the outer surface is activated with the catalyst. A first metallic layer is then plated onto the outer surface to form a structure. Optional additional metallic layers may be applied. Then, a defect in a damaged metal layer is repaired by brush plating or brush electroplating.
Abstract:
A method of forming a reinforced polymeric component includes securing a plurality of pins within a mold and wrapping reinforcing fibers around the pins to form a web of reinforcing fibers. The web of reinforcing fibers has a plurality of layers. The method of forming a reinforced polymeric component further includes adding a polymer to the mold and processing the polymer to form a molded polymeric component that contains the pins and the web of reinforcing fibers. A reinforced polymeric component includes a web of reinforcing fibers wrapped around a plurality of pins. The web of reinforcing fibers includes a plurality of layers. The reinforced polymeric component further includes a molded and processed polymer containing the web of reinforcing fibers and pins.
Abstract:
A vehicular component comprising a polymer substrate formed in a shape of the vehicular component, and a metallic plating layer plated on at least one surface of the vehicular component is described. The vehicular component may be a pulley, a leaf spring, an impeller, a bearing ball, a compliant mechanism and a gear.
Abstract:
Plated polymeric articles having anti-counterfeiting tags therein and method of making the same are disclosed. A plated polymeric article comprises a polymer shaped formed into a desired shape with an anti-counterfeiting tag incorporated therein. The plated polymeric article comprises a first metal plated onto the polymer and a second metal deposited onto the first metal. Alternatively, a plated polymeric article comprises a composite layup having first and second polymer layers with an anti-counterfeiting tag disposed between the layers. The plated polymeric article further comprises a first metal plated onto the polymer. Lastly, a method for fabricating a plated polymeric article is disclosed. A polymer is formed into a desired shape, the polymer having an anti-counterfeiting tag incorporated therein. The outer surface of the article is prepared to receive a catalyst and then is activated with the catalyst. A first metallic layer is then plated onto the outer surface.
Abstract:
A machine for fabricating a fiber-reinforced component by additive manufacturing is disclosed. The machine may have a surface, a matrix feed configured to deposit a plurality of matrix layers on the surface, and a fiber feed configured to deposit a fiber layer on at least one of the plurality of matrix layers. The deposition of the plurality of matrix layers and the fiber layer may be controlled by a computer.