Abstract: A novel method of forming high strength, fiber reinforced, high temperature thermoplastic panels is provided which entails placing at least one layer of metal mesh or screen adjacent the vacuum probes in a vacuum bagging apparatus. Additionally, caul plates are placed as needed around the thermoplastic workpiece and metal mesh is positioned on the plates to promote uniform vacuum drawing on the entire panel and complete consolidation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for isostatically bulge forming tube stock. The tube is assembled in sealing arrangement with a split die. The assembly is placed in a pressure vessel wherein an non-compressible fluid is pressurized to form the tube into the die cavities. Because the force on the tooling is compressive in nature, relatively low strength, low cost tools may be used.

Abstract: An automated workstation is adapted to cut parts of different size and shape from workpieces of flat sheet or molded preforms. A fixtured workpiece is moved into the work area of a preprogrammed cutting robot on a shuttle table. The position of the workpiece to be cut is determined by the robot which cuts it using preprogrammed instructions for the desired part. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of independently operable shuttle tables are provided so that the robot can work substantially continuously while workpieces are load, unloaded, machined or moved around.

Abstract: A portable testing apparatus to detect air leaks across large sealed gaps comprising an elastomeric, air impervious sheet sized and shaped to overlap a gap between an opening in a structure and an insert, a vacuum plenum extending through and sealing with said sheet, means for attaching the plenum to a vacuum source, channels, with openings therein for uniformly distributing and drawing a vacuum between a sheet and the structure, extending from the plenum along the inside surface of said sheet. The testing apparatus also comprising means for detecting the passage of air through the sealed gap when a vacuum is drawn therethrough.

Abstract: An environmentally compliant cleaning solvent for removing commercial aircraft hydraulic fluid comprises from about 25 to 35 volume percent perfluorocarbon with from about 4 to 8 carbons in the alkyl chain, from about 25 to 35 volume percent hydrochlorofluorocarbon with about 2 to 5 carbons in the alkyl chain; and the balance petroleum distillates with from about 5 to 9 carbons in the alkyl chain.

Abstract: A window clip for attaching window panes to aircraft supporting structures comprises a clip body which has an outwardly bent flange at the bottom which applies pressure to the inner pane of an aircraft window and an inwardly bent u-shaped platform at the top. A hole is located in the platform portion for receiving a fastener to attach the clip to an underlying support. A spacer is optionally located on the fastener.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture for holding a plurality of workpieces in proper position for manufacturing. The fixture includes an array of interleaved uniformly spaced contoured headers, with a predetermined set of headers corresponding to a predetermined workpiece contour. Each set of contoured headers may be simultaneously laterally displaced from an inactive stored position to a locked, active forward position, wherein the selection and movement of the set of headers is controlled by a computer controller. Each contoured header has a set of vacuum cups, that, when activated, pulls the predetermined workpiece against the contoured edges of the predetermined set of headers.

Abstract: A force limiting cartridge comprises a housing and end cap which screw together to contain a slidable piston biased by a coil spring. The cartridge surrounds a conventional pull-up clamp. The bottom end of the cartridge pushes against the top layer of the laminate. The piston is pushed against the spring when the clamp screw is tightened. The piston is provided with a cross mark which when aligned with cross hairs on the housing indicate a desired clamping pressure has been attained. The cartridge can be calibrated to any desired pressure (depending on the spring's performance characteristics) by adjusting the total length of the housing/end cap assembly.

Abstract: Polymeric anti-extrusion rings are provided for internal cooling of a drawbolt swaging apparatus. One such ring is located on either side of an elastomeric expansion sheath on a drawbolt. There rings are formed of polymeric material which has low creep, high tensile strength and is substantially unaffected at swaging temperatures. The rings are sized to fit snugly on the drawbolt shank and to provide minimum practical clearance with the interior dimensions of the tube to be swaged. The outer perimeter of the rings adjacent to the drawbolt head and bushing are chamfered.

Abstract: Novel means for deploying airplane wing flaps feature a bent shaft which is translatable fore and aft in the fairing cavity. The shaft has an adjacent follower member which travels in a concentric curved flap track to rotate shaft as it extends. The bent shaft has a support ball fitting and end roller which provide flap deflection with respect to the fixed wing as the shaft is extended aft and rotated. The subject flap deployment means are mechanically elegant resulting in lower manufacturing and installation cost and high reliability.

Abstract: A flame and heat-resistant cover for airplane pitot tubes comprises a woven tube of fire-resistant fibers. The front of the tube is gathered and it is sown with a fire-resistant, non-abrasive thread.

Abstract: A chip breaker drill bushing is provided for a metal drilling apparatus. The bushing has a central channel through which a drill bit or drilling tool extends and rotates. The bushing is shaped at the workpiece end to collect metal offal carried up by the drill. Angled troughs guide the offal up and away from the workpiece and cutting edges on the end of the bushing chop the strands into small, easily handled chips.

Abstract: Means for mounting an engine to an aircraft are provided which reduce the dynamic response of the airframe due to engine vibration. A mount comprises at least one strut extending between the engine and the airframe which is attached to the airframe by means of damping elements.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of hot working a magnetically soft cast crystalline material containing grains of RE.sub.2 TM.sub.14 B and an RE metal, rich intergranular second phase into anisotropic permanent magnet bodies.

Abstract: This invention relates to permanent bonded magnets of very finely crystalline, melt-spun, rare earth-iron alloys. The compacts are magnetically isotropic.

Abstract: A controlled method of anodizing aluminum comprises formation of an aqueous solution of sulfuric and boric acids, immersion of a workpiece in the solution maintained at about room temperature and controlled application of voltage to achieve a current density not greater than about 10 Amperes per square foot. Aluminum oxide coatings in the weight range of from about 200 to 600 milligrams per square foot applied in this manner have properties as good as or superior to coatings applied in traditional hexavalent chromium anodizing solutions.

Abstract: The hard magnetic properties, including intrinsic coercivity, remanence and energy product of rapidly quenched, rare earth-transition metal alloys has been substantially increased by the addition of suitable amounts of the element boron. The preferred rare earth constituent elements are neodymium and praseodymium, and the preferred transition metal element is iron.

Abstract: A ring magnet for creating a desired magnetic field within the bore of the ring is formed from a plurality of magnetized, magnetically isotropic magnets comprised of RE.sub.2 TM.sub.14 B.sub.1 alloy. The invention has particular application to ring magnets for magnetic resonance imaging devices.

Abstract: Magnetically hard compositions having high values of coercivity, remanence and energy product contain rare earth elements, transition metal elements and boron in suitable proportions. The preferred rare earth elements are neodymium and praseodymium, and the preferred transition metal element is iron. The magnetic alloys have characteristic very finely crystalline microstructures.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly solidifying rare earth-transition metal containing alloy. It entails introducing the alloy into the flame of a plasma torch and directing the torch flame onto the inside surface of a rotating quench cylinder. A non-oxidizing gas is also directed onto the quench surface so that the alloy solidifies at a rate such that a powder having a substantially amorphous to finely crystalline microstructure is obtained and such that the solidified alloy does not adhere to the quench surface and can be easily collected.