Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Grumman Corporation

Anthony R Bartilucci

George W Gilchrist

Richard Yurman

Apparatus for manufacturing a composite article comprising an autoclave having a platen, a work tool located in the autoclave and supported by the platen, and a composite article on the work tool. The platen is heated to transfer heat from the platen to the work tool and from the work tool to the composite article to cure that article; and a heat conductive, flexible mat is positioned between the platen and the work tool to maintain a desired thermal conductivity between the platen and the work tool as the work tool is heated.

Method and system for manufacturing composite articles

A self-contained cooler/freezer apparatus for carrying items in a frozen or refrigerated environment. The apparatus comprises a first insulated container which is divided into two portions: a first storage portion where items that are incompatible with a carbon dioxide environment are stored; and, a second portion for storing a solid coolant, namely, solid carbon dioxide or dry ice. The items are placed within a second nitrogen enriched container and this second container is placed within the first storage portion of the first insulated container. Within a short period of time, the dry ice starts to sublimate, thereby forming cold gaseous carbon dioxide which fills the volume of the apparatus. A fan is used to circulate the gaseous carbon dioxide throughout the insulated container thereby removing heat from the first portion and the heat conducted out of the nitrogen enriched container and rejecting it to the dry ice in the coolant compartment, thereby cooling the first portion of the insulated container and the nitrogen enriched container stowed therein. The cold gaseous carbon dioxide is circulated throughout the insulated container via gas ducts located within the walls of the insulated container. A thermostatic controller actuates the fan based upon temperature readings from thermocouples located within the nitrogen enriched container.

Portable self-contained cooler/freezer apparatus with nitrogen

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite article. The method comprises the step of providing an autoclave having a platen, applying a composite article onto a work tool, and positioning the work tool on the platen. The platen is heated to transfer heat from the platen to the work tool and from the work tool to the composite article to cure that article; and a heat conductive, flexible mat is positioned between the platen and the work tool to maintain a desired thermal conductivity between the platen and the work tool during the heating step.

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Wantagh, NY, United States of America

Anthony R Bartilucci