Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.

Benjamin W C Garcia

David R Nelson

Brian Russell Christensen

Robert S Larson

Elizabeth K Bonderson

Braden Day

Steven F Stone

Christopher Deemer

Brian Barber

Thomas Loveless

Matthew Armentrout

Cameron Hilton

A multi-component structure includes a first hybrid metal composite structure, a second hybrid metal composite structure, and a joint structure. The first and second hybrid metal composite structures include layers, each layer comprising a fiber composite material structure including a fiber material dispersed within a matrix material and at least one metal ply located between layers of the layers. The joint structure extends between and connects the first hybrid metal composite structure and the second hybrid metal composite structure. Additionally, the joint structure exerts a clamping force on the first and second hybrid metal composite structures and to reduce gaps between the layers, between the layers and the at least one metal ply, and between the joint structure and the first and second hybrid metal composite structures to less than half a thickness of the at least one metal ply.

Hybrid metal composite structures, joint structures, and related methods

A precursor composition comprising, before cure, an acrylic ethylene monomer (AEM), a foaming agent, and one or more of a strengthening additive, a thermal ablation additive, or a reflectivity additive. The precursor composition is cured to form a protective article comprising a foamed protective material. A method of forming a protective article is also disclosed, as is an aerospace structure comprising the foamed protective material.

Precursor compositions for a protective article, protective articles comprising a reaction product of the precursor composition, related aerospace structures, and related methods

A preceramic resin formulation comprising a polycarbosilane preceramic polymer, an organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer, and, optionally, at least one filler. The preceramic resin formulation is formulated to exhibit a viscosity of from about 1,000 cP at about 25&#xb0; C. to about 5,000 cP at a temperature of about 25&#xb0; C. The at least one filler comprises first particles having an average mean diameter of less than about 1.0 &#x3bc;m and second particles having an average mean diameter of from about 1.5 &#x3bc;m to about 5 &#x3bc;m. Impregnated fibers comprising the preceramic resin formulation are also disclosed, as is a composite material comprising a reaction product of the polycarbosilane preceramic polymer, organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer, and the at least one filler. Methods of forming a ceramic matrix composite are also disclosed.

Impregnated fibers comprising preceramic resin formulations, and related composite materials and methods

An insulation material includes a matrix comprising a reaction product formed from a silicon carbide precursor resin and a silicon dioxide precursor resin. At least one filler, such as hollow glass microspheres and/or carbon fiber is dispersed within the matrix. A rocket motor includes a case, the insulation material within and bonded to the case, and a solid propellant within the case. An insulation precursor includes a silicon carbide precursor resin, a silicon dioxide precursor resin, and the at least one filler. Related methods are also disclosed.

Insulation precursors, rocket motors, and related methods

A hybrid metal composite (HMC) structure comprises a first tier comprising a first fiber composite material structure, a second tier longitudinally adjacent the first tier and comprising a first metallic structure and a second fiber composite material structure laterally adjacent the first metallic structure, a third tier longitudinally adjacent the second tier and comprising a third fiber composite material structure, and a fourth tier longitudinally adjacent the third tier and comprising a second metallic structure and a fourth fiber composite material structure laterally adjacent the second metallic structure. At least one lateral end of the second metallic structure is laterally offset from at least one lateral end of the first metallic structure most proximate thereto. Methods of forming an HMC structure, and related rocket motors and multi-stage rocket motor assemblies are also disclosed.

Hybrid metal composite structures, rocket motors including hybrid metal composite structures, and related methods

A preceramic resin formulation comprising a polycarbosilane preceramic polymer and an organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer. A ceramic material comprising a reaction product of the polycarbosilane preceramic polymer and organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer is also described. Articles comprising the ceramic material are also described, as are methods of forming the preceramic resin formulation and the ceramic material.

Ceramic materials comprising preceramic resin formulations, and related articles and methods

A hybrid metal composite (HMC) structure comprises tiers comprising fiber composite material structures, and additional tiers longitudinally adjacent one or more of the tiers and comprising perforated metallic structures and additional fiber composite material structures laterally adjacent the perforated metallic structures. Methods of forming an HMC structure, and related rocket motors and multi-stage rocket motor assemblies are also disclosed.

Hybrid metal composite structures, rocket motors and multi stage rocket motor assemblies including hybrid metal composite structures, and related methods

A barrier coating resin formulation comprising at least one polycarbosilane preceramic polymer, at least one organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer, at least one filler, and at least one solvent. A barrier coating comprising a reaction product of the at least one polycarbosilane preceramic polymer and the at least one organically modified silicon dioxide preceramic polymer and the at least one filler is also disclosed, as are articles comprising the barrier coating, rocket motors comprising the barrier coating, and methods of forming the articles.

Barrier coating resin formulations, and related methods

Preceramic resin formulations, impregnated fibers comprising the preceramic resin formulations, and related methods

Insulation, insulation precursors, and rocket motors, and related methods

Preceramic resin formulations, ceramic materials comprising the preceramic resin formulations,and related articles and methods

A method of forming a hybrid metal composite structure including at least one metal ply. The method includes forming at least one metal ply, forming the at least one metal ply comprising forming at least one perforation in the at least one metal ply, abrasively blasting at least one surface of the at least one metal ply to coarsen the at least one surface of the metal ply, and exposing the at least one metal ply to at least one of an acid or a base. The method further includes disposing at least one fiber composite material structure adjacent the at least one metal ply. Related methods of forming a portion of a rocket case and related hybrid metal composite structures are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Tremonton, UT, United States of America

Benjamin W C Garcia