Abstract: A mechanically attached thermal protection system (MATPS) includes an insulating tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of access holes that extend through the insulating tile from the top surface to the bottom surface. A plurality of brackets include a first end attached to the insulating tile and a second end including a mounting hole therethrough, the second end being positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile. A plurality of fasteners are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile and at least partially positioned within one of the access holes so as to be accessible from the top surface of the insulating tile through one of the plurality of access holes. A MATPS including a plurality of air channels within the insulating tile and a method for sealing these air channels to those within an adjacent structure is also described herein.

Abstract: A surface treatment assembly for treating a contoured surface includes a surface treatment array formed from a plurality of base structures, each base structure operably coupled to a first phalange structure and a first phalange structure first end. A second phalange structure operatively coupled to each first phalange structure and a phalange joint disposed between each first phalange structure and each second phalange, thereby forming a finger structure. Moreover, at least one applicator head is coupled to a second phalange structure second end of each finger structure and configured to treat the contoured surface. A base structure actuator and a phalange joint actuator operatively coupled to and configured to manipulate the first phalange structure and the second phalange of each finger structure to adjust the surface treatment array relative to the contoured surface.

Abstract: A surface treatment assembly for treating a contoured surface includes a surface treatment array formed from a plurality of base structures, each base structure operably coupled to a first phalange structure and a first phalange structure first end. A second phalange structure operatively coupled to each first phalange structure and a phalange joint disposed between each first phalange structure and each second phalange, thereby forming a finger structure. Moreover, at least one applicator head is coupled to a second phalange structure second end of each finger structure and configured to treat the contoured surface. A base structure actuator and a phalange joint actuator operatively coupled to and configured to manipulate the first phalange structure and the second phalange of each finger structure to adjust the surface treatment array relative to the contoured surface.

Abstract: A surface treatment assembly for treating a contoured surface includes a surface treatment array formed from a plurality of base structures, each base structure operably coupled to a first phalange structure and a first phalange structure first end. A second phalange structure operatively coupled to each first phalange structure and a phalange joint disposed between each first phalange structure and each second phalange, thereby forming a finger structure. Moreover, at least one applicator head is coupled to a second phalange structure second end of each finger structure and configured to treat the contoured surface. A base structure actuator and a phalange joint actuator operatively coupled to and configured to manipulate the first phalange structure and the second phalange of each finger structure to adjust the surface treatment array relative to the contoured surface.

Abstract: An applicator assembly for treating a contoured surface including an attachment frame configured to secure and position an applicator head. In some embodiments, the applicator head is configured to apply a surface treatment to the contoured surface. The applicator assembly further includes, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the attachment frame and configured to scan the contoured surface and produce a contoured data set. Additionally, the applicator assembly includes an applicator actuator operatively coupled to the attachment frame and configured to manipulate the attachment frame such that the applicator assembly maintains an orientation of the applicator assembly relative to the contoured surface.

Abstract: A surface treatment assembly for treating a contoured surface includes an adjustable base having at least a first contour shape and a second contour shape. The surface treatment assembly further includes a plurality of applicator heads that are coupled to the adjustable base. Moreover, each applicator head is configured to apply a surface treatment to the contoured surface. Furthermore, the surface treatment assembly includes an actuator which is operatively coupled to the adjustable base and the actuator is configured to manipulate the adjustable base between the first contour shape and the second contour shape.

Abstract: A mechanically attached thermal protection system (MATPS) includes an insulating tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of access holes that extend through the insulating tile from the top surface to the bottom surface. A plurality of brackets include a first end attached to the insulating tile and a second end including a mounting hole therethrough, the second end being positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile. A plurality of fasteners are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile and at least partially positioned within one of the access holes so as to be accessible from the top surface of the insulating tile through one of the plurality of access holes. A MATPS including a plurality of air channels within the insulating tile and a method for sealing these air channels to those within an adjacent structure is also described herein.

Abstract: A mechanically attached thermal protection system (MATPS) includes an insulating tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of access holes that extend through the insulating tile from the top surface to the bottom surface. A plurality of brackets include a first end attached to the insulating tile and a second end including a mounting hole therethrough, the second end being positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile. A plurality of fasteners are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile and at least partially positioned within one of the access holes so as to be accessible from the top surface of the insulating tile through one of the plurality of access holes. A MATPS including a plurality of air channels within the insulating tile and a method for sealing these air channels to those within an adjacent structure is also described herein.

Abstract: A surface treatment assembly for treating a contoured surface includes a surface treatment array formed from a plurality of base structures, each base structure operably coupled to a first phalange structure and a first phalange structure first end. A second phalange structure operatively coupled to each first phalange structure and a phalange joint disposed between each first phalange structure and each second phalange, thereby forming a finger structure. Moreover, at least one applicator head is coupled to a second phalange structure second end of each finger structure and configured to treat the contoured surface. A base structure actuator and a phalange joint actuator operatively coupled to and configured to manipulate the first phalange structure and the second phalange of each finger structure to adjust the surface treatment array relative to the contoured surface.

Abstract: An applicator assembly for treating a contoured surface including an attachment frame configured to secure and position an applicator head. In some embodiments, the applicator head is configured to apply a surface treatment to the contoured surface. The applicator assembly further includes, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the attachment frame and configured to scan the contoured surface and produce a contoured data set. Additionally, the applicator assembly includes an applicator actuator operatively coupled to the attachment frame and configured to manipulate the attachment frame such that the applicator assembly maintains an orientation of the applicator assembly relative to the contoured surface.

Abstract: A surface treatment assembly for treating a contoured surface includes an adjustable base having at least a first contour shape and a second contour shape. The surface treatment assembly further includes a plurality of applicator heads that are coupled to the adjustable base. Moreover, each applicator head is configured to apply a surface treatment to the contoured surface. Furthermore, the surface treatment assembly includes an actuator which is operatively coupled to the adjustable base and the actuator is configured to manipulate the adjustable base between the first contour shape and the second contour shape.