Rohr, Inc.

Goodrich Corporation

Studio Milan Design Build, Inc.

Milan Mitrovic

Mark R Gurvich

Georgios S Zafiris

Jose S Alonso-Miralles

Michael Van Tooren

Timothy Olson

Jeffrey A Anderson

George Hoehn

Terry Muy

Jonathan S Huang

Galdemir Cezar Botura

Michael R Aten

Brian Burkett

A method of blind welding thermoplastic composite components is provided. The method includes providing a first and second thermoplastic composite components each having a bonding surface. The first thermoplastic composite component has a first melting temperature and the second thermoplastic composite component has a second melting temperature; providing an interface layer having a third melting temperature; disposing the interface layer between the bonding surfaces; disposing an external susceptor adjacent to the outer surface of the first thermoplastic composite component, wherein the external susceptor includes a central segment and lateral segments that respond differently to an application of an EM field; applying a normal force to the first component external susceptor without an application of an opposing second normal force to the second thermoplastic component; and applying an electromagnetic field to the central and lateral segments using an inductor.

Method and apparatus for joining thermoplastic composite components

Systems and methods for induction welding a stiffener to a thermoplastic composite structure using a removeable metal mask to reduce excess heat along the edges of the stiffener generated from an electromagnetic field of an induction welding tool.

Use of removable metal frames to control induction welding of thermoplastic composite edges

Methods and apparatus' for induction welding a first workpiece to a second workpiece at a welding region may include a metallic strip. The metallic strip may be a mesh. The properties of the metallic strip, such as, for example, pore size, thickness, and density, may be configured to conduct heat uniformly across the welding region and prevent eddy current formation across a workpiece. The metallic strip may be embedded in a workpiece or may be fixed to an induction welding tool that acts on the welding region during induction welding. A removable polymer tape may be disposed between a workpiece and a metallic strip fixed to an induction welding tool. The workpieces may be thermoplastic composite structures and thermoplastic composite stiffeners in aircraft structures.

Induction welding of thermoplastic with metallic strips

A method is provided for forming a structured panel. During this method, a cellular core is formed that comprises a corrugated ribbon configured with a plurality of baffles and a plurality of septums. Each of the septums extends longitudinally between and connected to a respective adjacent pair of the baffles. At least one element of the corrugated ribbon includes a structural reinforcement. The forming includes: feeding a ribbon of material between a first roller and a second roller, corrugating the ribbon of material with the first roller and the second roller to provide the baffles and the septums, and stamping the structural reinforcement into the element with the first roller and the second roller. The cellular core is bonded to a first skin. The cellular core is bonded to a second skin. The cellular core is vertically between the first skin and the second skin, and the first skin is configured with a plurality of perforations.

Forming a structured panel with one or more structural reinforcements

A structured panel is provided that includes a first skin with a plurality of perforations, a second skin and a core. The core forms a plurality of cavities vertically between the first skin and the second skin. Each of the cavities is respectively fluidly coupled with one or more of the perforations. The cavities include a first cavity. An element of the core is configured with a multi-layered structure. The multi-layered structure includes a first layer and a second layer attached to the first layer. The first layer is configured with a first rib projecting into the first cavity.

Structured panel with multi-panel structure(s)

A panel is provided for attenuating sound. This panel includes a perforated first skin, a second skin and a core. The core forms a plurality of cavities vertically between the perforated first skin and the second skin. The core includes an array of corrugations that include a first baffle, a second baffle and a first septum. The cavities include a first cavity formed longitudinally between the first baffle and the second baffle. The first cavity is fluidly coupled with perforations in the first skin. The first septum extends from the first skin and the first baffle to the second skin and the second baffle. The first septum divides the first cavity into fluidly coupled sub-cavities. At least one element of the panel includes at least one first rib and at least one second rib, the first rib extends along a first trajectory and the second rib extends along a second trajectory that is non-parallel with the first trajectory.

Structured panel with structural reinforcement(s)

An ice protection system comprises deicing zones each including an envelope defining an ice-protection area. Adjacent envelopes have spanwise edge regions flanking shared interzone borders. The edge regions are provided with nonlinear contours having features which project-and-recess in a direction generally parallel to the airstream direction.

Deicer zones with shedding-enhanced borders

A fan ramp for use in a thrust reverser portion of a nacelle is disclosed. The nacelle is included in a propulsion system. The fan ramp extends circumferentially about an axial fan ramp centerline. The fan ramp includes a forward edge, an aft edge, and a first blocker door pocket. The forward edge is disposed proximate an aft end of a fan case. The fan case at least partially surrounds a fan section of a gas turbine engine. The aft edge is disposed proximate a forward end of an array of cascades. The array of cascades is operable to permit a bypass airstream to pass there through during a thrust reversing operation. The first blocker door pocket is operable to receive at least a portion of a forward edge of a first blocker door included in the nacelle.

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Del Mar, CA, United States of America

Milan Mitrovic