The Boeing Company

Richard W Burns

Chaoyin Zhou

Robert A DiChiara

Robert E Doty

Wen Li

Amanda Phelps

Alan Jon Jacobsen

Sophia Shu Yang

Francis J Samalot Rivera

Garrett L Gilchrist

Michael P Hurst

Daryl Tryson

Michael F McCracken

Glenn B Godinho

Robert A Dichiara

Robert A Dichiara Jr

The present disclosure is directed to a method of repairing an aircraft. The method comprises charging a thermal transfer blanket comprising a thermal energy storage media with thermal energy from a heat source. The method further comprises positioning a thermally curable patch on an exterior surface of an aircraft. The thermally curable patch comprises an uncured polymer having a first temperature. The thermal transfer blanket is applied to the thermally curable patch. Thermal energy is transferred between the thermal transfer blanket and the thermally curable patch to increase the first temperature of the uncured polymer to a cure temperature for a sufficient amount of time to cure the polymer.

Method of using a thermal transfer blanket system

A method of induction welding a first thermoplastic composite (TPC) to a second thermoplastic composite (TPC) includes inductively heating a weld interface area between the first TPC and the second TPC, and cooling a surface of the first TPC opposite the weld interface area while inductively heating the weld interface area.

Induction welding using a heat sink and/or cooling

A method of induction welding a first carbon fiber thermoplastic composite (TPC) to a second carbon fiber thermoplastic composite (TPC) using an induction coil includes aligning the first TPC with the second TPC to form a weld interface area, flexing a heat sink onto a surface of the first TPC between the weld interface area and the induction coil, and inductively heating the weld interface area with the induction coil.

An apparatus is provided for causing a phase-shift in reflected signals that are a reflection of surface-traveling wave signals of a select signal frequency. The apparatus comprises a conductive strip having a plurality of slots therein alternatingly arranged orthogonal to each other, each slot having an effective length that is a fraction between 9/16 and &#x215e; of the wavelength associated with the select signal frequency, and a plurality of conductive enclosures respectively disposed under each of the plurality of slots. Each of the conductive enclosure have a width and length sufficient to enclose a respective corresponding slot, and a depth that is a fraction of between &#x215b; and &#x215c; of the wavelength associated with the select signal frequency when transmitted in the dielectric material. The plurality of slots and plurality of conductive enclosures cause a phase-shift in the range of 150 to 210 degrees in reflected signals that are a reflection of surface-traveling wave signals at the select signal frequency which impinge the apparatus.

Phase shift of signal reflections of surface traveling waves

Ventilated aero-structures include a micro-lattice structure operatively coupled to a honeycomb core. The interface between the honeycomb core and the micro-lattice structure is configured to permit air flow to and from the honeycomb core via the micro-lattice structure. Aircraft include a ventilated aero-structure and a ventilation system configured to circulate air through the ventilated aero-structure. Some methods include coupling a micro-lattice structure to a honeycomb core. Some methods include utilizing a ventilated aero-structure to assemble an aircraft.

Ventilated aero-structures, aircraft, and associated methods

A nanowire structure that includes indium tin oxide and has a hollow core.

Indium tin oxide nanotubes and method of manufacture

Ventilated aero-structures, aircraft and associated methods

A method and apparatus comprising an adhesive layer and a conductive elastic material layer. The adhesive layer is capable of being placed in a channel for a joint. The adhesive layer is capable of resuming an original shape after being deformed. A conductive elastic material layer is on the adhesive layer. The coating covers the conductive elastic material layer and is capable of resuming the original shape after being deformed.

Elastic aircraft joint fairing

A method for manufacturing indium tin oxide nanowires by preparing a solution that includes an indium-containing species, a tin-containing species and a polymeric material, wherein the solution has a molar ratio of tin to indium in a range from about 5 to about 15 percent, electrospinning fibers using the solution, and heating the fibers to a calcination temperature and maintaining the fibers at the calcination temperature for a predetermined calcination time.

Method for manufacturing indium tin oxide nanowires

A method of preparing a transparent conductor for application on a polymeric substrate is described. The method includes introducing a functional group onto a surface of the conductor to form a modified conductor, and mixing the modified conductor with a dispersant at slightly elevated temperatures to form a conductive material composition. The dispersant is at least bifunctional. The conductive material composition may then be applied to the polymeric substrate. The dispersant acts as a linker, bonding the transparent conductor and polymeric substrate such that they are fully integrated.

Growing community of inventors

Edwardsville, IL, United States of America

Richard W Burns