Abstract: The present disclosure describes one or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques for thermal management. One or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques may provide advice or guidance (e.g., to a repair technician) regarding how to perform a hot bond repair, for example, on an aircraft component that has been damaged. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to prepare a repair field prior to running a thermal survey. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend a particular heat blanket, a configuration of the heat blanket, placement of various temperature sensors and other preparation guidance. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to alter or manage the repair setup during a thermal survey and during the actual curing process. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend particular temperature sensors or areas of the repair field that should be insulated.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to fabricate a composite part formed of a plurality of pieces of composite material in accordance with a predefined weight requirement. In the context of a system, a source of electromagnetic signals configured to impinge upon a supply of composite material is provided. The system also includes a detector to capture the electromagnetic signals following propagation through the supply of composite material during which at least some of the electromagnetic signals are absorbed by the composite material in a manner proportional to the density of the composite material. The system further includes a computing system to generate a weight distribution map of the supply of composite material based upon the electromagnetic signals captured following propagation through the supply. The weight of a plurality of pieces of composite material cut from the supply of composite material and combined into a composite part is determinable.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes one or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques for thermal management. One or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques may provide advice or guidance (e.g., to a repair technician) regarding how to perform a hot bond repair, for example, on an aircraft component that has been damaged. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to prepare a repair field prior to running a thermal survey. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend a particular heat blanket, a configuration of the heat blanket, placement of various temperature sensors and other preparation guidance. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to alter or manage the repair setup during a thermal survey and during the actual curing process. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend particular temperature sensors or areas of the repair field that should be insulated.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes one or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques for thermal management. One or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques may provide advice or guidance (e.g., to a repair technician) regarding how to perform a hot bond repair, for example, on an aircraft component that has been damaged. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to prepare a repair field prior to running a thermal survey. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend a particular heat blanket, a configuration of the heat blanket, placement of various temperature sensors and other preparation guidance. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to alter or manage the repair setup during a thermal survey and during the actual curing process. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend particular temperature sensors or areas of the repair field that should be insulated.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to fabricate a composite part formed of a plurality of pieces of composite material in accordance with a predefined weight requirement. In the context of a system, a source of electromagnetic signals configured to impinge upon a supply of composite material is provided. The system also includes a detector to capture the electromagnetic signals following propagation through the supply of composite material during which at least some of the electromagnetic signals are absorbed by the composite material in a manner proportional to the density of the composite material. The system further includes a computing system to generate a weight distribution map of the supply of composite material based upon the electromagnetic signals captured following propagation through the supply. The weight of a plurality of pieces of composite material cut from the supply of composite material and combined into a composite part is determinable.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detecting defects in the surface of a workpiece such as a fiberglass or composite part. A light source is positioned to direct light at the workpiece at an oblique angle with respect to the surface of the workpiece. At least one camera is positioned to detect light reflected from the workpiece and to generate a light signal corresponding to the reflected light. A polarizing lens is positioned between each of the at least one cameras and the workpiece. A processor is coupled to each of the at least one cameras to receive the corresponding light signals. The processor is programmed to process the light signals to detect any defects in the surface of the workpiece based on relative magnitudes of the received light signal. A video display and a printer are preferably coupled to the processor to show any detected defects.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detecting defects in the surface of a workpiece such as a fiberglass or composite part. A light source is positioned to direct light at the workpiece at an oblique angle with respect to the surface of the workpiece. At least one camera is positioned to detect light reflected from the workpiece and to generate a light signal corresponding to the reflected light. A polarizing lens is positioned between each of the at least one cameras and the workpiece. A processor is coupled to each of the at least one cameras to receive the corresponding light signals. The processor is programmed to process the light signals to detect any defects in the surface of the workpiece based on relative magnitudes of the received light signal. A video display and a printer are preferably coupled to the processor to show any detected defects.

Abstract: An anchor retrieval device comprising a frame forming a closed loop and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a handle overlaid onto the frame on a top part of the frame. The frame comprises an upper rope guide flange that forms an upper rope guide groove, the upper rope guide flange and upper rope guide groove being situated on the distal end of the frame. The frame further comprises a lower rope guide flange that forms a lower rope guide groove, the lower rope guide flange and lower rope guide groove being situated rearward of the upper rope guide flange and upper rope guide groove on a bottom part of the frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes one or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques for thermal management. One or more systems, methods, routines and/or techniques may provide advice or guidance (e.g., to a repair technician) regarding how to perform a hot bond repair, for example, on an aircraft component that has been damaged. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to prepare a repair field prior to running a thermal survey. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend a particular heat blanket, a configuration of the heat blanket, placement of various temperature sensors and other preparation guidance. The thermal management advisor may provide advice or guidance regarding how to alter or manage the repair setup during a thermal survey and during the actual curing process. For example, thermal management advisor may recommend particular temperature sensors or areas of the repair field that should be insulated.

Abstract: Passenger loading bridge bumper pads for cushioning and sealing a loading bridge to an aircraft structure, the bridge pads providing a resilient environmental seal and surrounding the bridge. The bottom bumper pad comprising a frangible metallic bumper for absorbing excessive docking forces.