The Boeing Company

Other

Anna L Baker

Darryl F Garrigus

Michael Strasik

David G Jensen

Brad Lee Kirkwood

Patrice K Ackerman

Thomas S Luhman

Charles W Newquist

Kristina S Preedy

A ceramic composite comprising ceramic fibers and glass microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder provides baffles for cryogenic fluids in a storage container.

Microparticle enhanced fibrous ceramic baffle for cryogenic liquid

A ceramic composite is provided comprising ceramic fibers and microparticles bound together as a porous matrix with a ceramic binder. The ceramic composite is particularly useful for transporting cryogenic fluids.

Cold table

Cryogenic cold storage device

Method for venting cryogen

A cold surface is obtained by coating a mat of ceramic particles that are bound together with a sol-gel binder and cooling the surface with a cryogen that wicks to the surface through pores in the mat.

Method for making low density ceramic composites

Method for transporting cryogen to workpieces

Processes are provided for forming a superconductive composite, comprising a superconductive metal oxide and a ceramic. The composite may be formed in any desired shape. Liquid nitrogen can be held around the superconductor longer and delivered in a more controlled fashion and the composite has improved resistance to shatter and thermal shock. The ceramic also provides protection from atmospheric deterioration of the superconductive oxide.

Process for forming a superconductive fiberform ceramic composite

Superconductive fiberform ceramic composite

Microparticle enhanced fibrous ceramics

Cryogenic heat pipe

A method of forming a ceramic composite including glass bonded microparticles. The process includes the steps of: felting a slurry of microparticles to form a mat; drying the mat; infusing a sol-gel binder into the mat; gelling the binder; and curing the binder.

Method of forming a ceramic composite

A passive thermal protection system that overcomes the disadvantages of the polyurethane 'water wall' includes a fiberformed ceramic insulation, a plurality of electrodes embedded in the insulation to define a wick panel, and a gelled ceramic sol in the wick panel. The system can be prepared by introducing the sol into the wick panel with its subsequent gelling by applying a direct current across the electrodes. Cooling water is held in the gelled sol to provide passive cooling, yet the system easily achieves even distribution of the water (even when subject to accelerations) without the use of pre-gelled or viscous reagents.

Thermal protection system

An ablative fibrous ceramic article comprises a honeycomb core having a plurality of cells, fibrous ceramic insulation (including fibers, microballoons, microparticles, or mixtures thereof) at least partially filling each cell of the core and forming a porous sheet on one face of the core, and, optionally, an ablative material infused into a portion of the porous sheet. Such an article is a candidate for fabricating an effective lunar/Martian aerobrake.

Fibrous ceramic aerobrake

The composite comprises ceramic fiberformed insulation bonded to a fiber reinforced ceramic matrix laminate. Ceramic insulation has a mat of intersecting, discrete ceramic fibers bonded with a sol-gel glass binder. The insulation is prepared by forming a slurry of ceramic fibers, molding the slurry to form a soft felt mat, drying the mat, and incrementally introducing the binder into the mat with a multiple-impregnation technique, which controls shrinkage of the ceramic fiber mat. This process provides a layering technique that permits formation of a continuous fibrous structure having layers that impart distinct characteristics at desired regions within the structure. By using different ceramic fibers and fibers of differing physical dimension, or by including additives with the slurries, tailoring of the physical characteristics of the insulation is achieved. The reinforced ceramic matrix laminate is laid up on the ceramic insulation in a wet lay-up technique and includes a continuous ceramic fiber reinforcement and a cementaceous matrix that includes a ceramic filler, like mullite; ceramic reinforcing whiskers, such as silicon nitride or silicon carbide whiskers; and a binder, such as colloidal silica. An activator may also be used in the matrix. Matrix is worked into the ceramic insulation and fiber reinforcement during the lay-up. The tandem composite exhibits resistance to high temperatures for extended exposure without degradation and possesses improved flexural strength over conventional ceramics made without exotic pressure fabricating processes. The tandem composite can readily be formed into complex curvatures and can include integral mounting flanges (strengthened with the matrix laminate) for fastening the composite to structural materials.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Anna L Baker