Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a surface, treating a portion of the surface to modify a wettability of the portion of the structure, and forming at least one liquid flow path on the surface through said treating.

Abstract: A panel assembly (such as for an internal cabin of an aircraft) includes at least one liquid flow path formed on at least one surface through surface treatment. The at least one liquid flow path is formed in relation to at least one bank on the at least one surface. The at least one liquid flow path is configured to divert liquid to a desired location.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a body panel having an opening defined therein and a cover panel positioned within the opening and spaced from the body panel. The decompression panel assembly also includes an annular spacer panel positioned outboard from the cover panel and the body panel. The spacer panel is spaced from the cover panel to define a first annular flow path between the cover panel and the spacer panel, and the spacer panel is spaced from the body panel to define a second annular flow path between the body panel and the spacer panel.

Abstract: A method of installing a decompression panel assembly in an aircraft. The decompression panel assembly includes a body portion, a baffle member, and a panel member. The method includes coupling the body portion to the panel member, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings in the body portion. The method also includes coupling the baffle member to the plurality of frame members such that the baffle member removably obstructs at least one opening of the plurality of openings. The baffle member is integrally formed with the plurality of frame members and is configured for at least partial displacement from the at least one opening during a decompression event. The decompression panel assembly is then coupled between a sidewall and a floor panel of the aircraft.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a body panel having an opening defined therein and a cover panel positioned within the opening and spaced from the body panel. The decompression panel assembly also includes an annular spacer panel positioned outboard from the cover panel and the body panel. The spacer panel is spaced from the cover panel to define a first annular flow path between the cover panel and the spacer panel, and the spacer panel is spaced from the body panel to define a second annular flow path between the body panel and the spacer panel.

Abstract: A method of installing a decompression panel assembly in an aircraft. The decompression panel assembly includes a body portion, a baffle member, and a panel member. The method includes coupling the body portion to the panel member, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings in the body portion. The method also includes coupling the baffle member to the plurality of frame members such that the baffle member removably obstructs at least one opening of the plurality of openings. The baffle member is integrally formed with the plurality of frame members and is configured for at least partial displacement from the at least one opening during a decompression event. The decompression panel assembly is then coupled between a sidewall and a floor panel of the aircraft.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a body portion comprising a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings in the body portion. The decompression panel assembly also includes a baffle member integrally formed with the plurality of frame members such that the baffle member removably obstructs at least one opening of the plurality of openings. The baffle member is configured for at least partial displacement from the at least one opening during a decompression event.

Abstract: A return air bridge for use in an aircraft assembly includes an inboard portion configured to couple to a sidewall assembly at a bottom edge of the sidewall assembly and an outboard portion configured to couple to a structural member. The return air bridge also includes at least one support coupling the inboard portion to the outboard portion such that a return air flow path is defined between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The outboard portion comprises a plate configured to direct an air flow along the return air flow path upwardly with respect to the bottom edge of the sidewall assembly.

Abstract: A heated roller shade system is provided. The heated roller shade system includes a roller located in a cavity defined between an inner wall of a vehicle and an outer wall of the vehicle. The roller shade system also includes a shade coupled to the roller. The roller is configured to selectively move the shade between a deployed position and an open position. The roller shade system also includes a heating mechanism coupled to at least one of the roller and the shade. The heating mechanism facilitates increasing a temperature of at least one of the roller and the shade.

Abstract: A decompression panel assembly for use in an aircraft includes a body portion comprising a plurality of frame members defining a plurality of openings in the body portion. The decompression panel assembly also includes a baffle member integrally formed with the plurality of frame members such that the baffle member removably obstructs at least one opening of the plurality of openings. The baffle member is configured for at least partial displacement from the at least one opening during a decompression event.

Abstract: A return air bridge for use in an aircraft assembly includes an inboard portion configured to couple to a sidewall assembly at a bottom edge of the sidewall assembly and an outboard portion configured to couple to a structural member. The return air bridge also includes at least one support coupling the inboard portion to the outboard portion such that a return air flow path is defined between the inboard portion and the outboard portion. The outboard portion comprises a plate configured to direct an air flow along the return air flow path upwardly with respect to the bottom edge of the sidewall assembly.

Abstract: Decompression panel assemblies and methods of equalizing air pressure differential are provided. The decompression panel assembly includes a panel comprising an opening defined therein, a vent cover coupled across the opening, and a latching mechanism. The vent cover is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The latching mechanism is configured to maintain the vent cover in the first position when a pressure differential across the panel is below a predetermined value and facilitate the vent cover moving to the second position when the pressure differential across the panel exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: Decompression panel assemblies and methods of equalizing air pressure differential are provided. The decompression panel assembly includes a panel comprising an opening defined therein, a vent cover coupled across the opening, and a latching mechanism. The vent cover is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The latching mechanism is configured to maintain the vent cover in the first position when a pressure differential across the panel is below a predetermined value and facilitate the vent cover moving to the second position when the pressure differential across the panel exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: A heated roller shade system is provided. The heated roller shade system includes a roller located in a cavity defined between an inner wall of a vehicle and an outer wall of the vehicle. The roller shade system also includes a shade coupled to the roller. The roller is configured to selectively move the shade between a deployed position and an open position. The roller shade system also includes a heating mechanism coupled to at least one of the roller and the shade. The heating mechanism facilitates increasing a temperature of at least one of the roller and the shade.