Abstract: A membrane assembly for vacuum bagging includes an elongate sheet of flexible material capable of being rolled up into a cylindrical configuration and unrolled from the cylindrical configuration into a flattened-out configuration, a bistable tape spring attached to or captured by the elongate sheet, and an inflatable tube attached to or captured by the elongate sheet. The bistable tape spring has a first stable state which is a straightened-out state, a second stable state which is a rolled-up state, and a transition state between the first and second stable states. The inflatable tube is sealed at one end and has an orifice at the other end for admission of a fluid therethrough for inflation of the inflatable tube.

Abstract: A membrane assembly for vacuum bagging includes an elongate sheet of flexible material capable of being rolled up into a cylindrical configuration and unrolled from the cylindrical configuration into a flattened-out configuration, a bistable tape spring attached to or captured by the elongate sheet, and an inflatable tube attached to or captured by the elongate sheet. The bistable tape spring has a first stable state which is a straightened-out state, a second stable state which is a rolled-up state, and a transition state between the first and second stable states. The inflatable tube is sealed at one end and has an orifice at the other end for admission of a fluid therethrough for inflation of the inflatable tube.

Abstract: A system for moving first and second fuselage structures into assembly alignment, the system including a first transmitter indexed to a first seat track of the first fuselage structure, a first reflector target indexed to a first seat track of the second fuselage structure, a second transmitter indexed to a second seat track of the first fuselage structure, a second reflector target indexed to a second seat track of the second fuselage structure, wherein the first and second transmitters and the first and second reflector targets cooperate to provide first and second measurements indicative of position of the first fuselage structure relative to the second fuselage structure, and a manipulator system including at least one assembly actuator coupled to the first fuselage structure to move the first fuselage structure into assembly alignment with the second fuselage structure based upon the first and second measurements.

Abstract: A system for moving first and second fuselage structures into assembly alignment, the system including a first transmitter indexed to a first seat track of the first fuselage structure, a first reflector target indexed to a first seat track of the second fuselage structure, a second transmitter indexed to a second seat track of the first fuselage structure, a second reflector target indexed to a second seat track of the second fuselage structure, wherein the first and second transmitters and the first and second reflector targets cooperate to provide first and second measurements indicative of position of the first fuselage structure relative to the second fuselage structure, and a manipulator system including at least one assembly actuator coupled to the first fuselage structure to move the first fuselage structure into assembly alignment with the second fuselage structure based upon the first and second measurements.

Abstract: There is provided a tool assembly for transferring locations and dimensions of a pattern of holes from a first structure to a second structure. The tool assembly has a transfer plate with a transfer plate pattern of transfer plate holes that include a plurality of oversize holes and two transfer plate index holes. The transfer plate pattern is substantially identical to the pattern in the first structure. The tool assembly has one or more alignment elements installed in the plurality of oversize holes. Each alignment element has a through opening in a coaxial alignment with the oversize hole. The oversize hole allows formation of an alignment variation gap between an exterior of the alignment element and an inner wall of the oversize hole. The tool assembly has one or more holding elements coupled to the transfer plate, each with a central through opening in coaxial alignment with the oversize hole.

Abstract: An edge stabilizer for a composite structure includes an elongate edge support segment, defining a geometric shape of an edge of the composite structure, and a connector, configured to attach the edge support segment to the edge of the composite structure. The edge support segment comprises first and second halves configured to attach together around the edge, each half including a shoulder, opposing mating relationship of the shoulders defining a slot for receiving the edge. The edge stabilizer can be part of a system for stabilizing an edge of a composite barrel section. The system can also include a moveable cart, the barrel section being supportable upon the cart.

Abstract: Drill plate assemblies are disclosed in the examples herein. An example method includes positioning an absorbent material between a drill plate and a surface to be drilled; performing a drilling operation on the surface including flowing coolant through the drill; and capturing at least some of coolant in the absorbent material.

Abstract: A tube hanger for a very early smoke detection system is provided. The tube hanger includes a tube hook configured to receive a tube, a suspension arm having a first end extending from the tube hook and a second end, and a support coupling mechanism extending from the second end of the suspension arm. The support coupling mechanism includes a first attachment mechanism configured to be coupled to a first frame type, and a second attachment mechanism configured to be coupled to a second frame type. The tube hanger further includes a third attachment mechanism extending from the support coupling mechanism and configured to be coupled to a third frame type.

Abstract: There is provided a tool assembly for transferring locations and dimensions of a pattern of holes from a first structure to a second structure. The tool assembly has a transfer plate with a transfer plate pattern of transfer plate holes that include a plurality of oversize holes and two transfer plate index holes. The transfer plate pattern is substantially identical to the pattern in the first structure. The tool assembly has one or more alignment elements installed in the plurality of oversize holes. Each alignment element has a through opening in a coaxial alignment with the oversize hole. The oversize hole allows formation of an alignment variation gap between an exterior of the alignment element and an inner wall of the oversize hole. The tool assembly has one or more holding elements coupled to the transfer plate, each with a central through opening in coaxial alignment with the oversize hole.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for a composite structure includes a barrel of composite material, a first end ring, and a mid support. The barrel of composite material has a first end, an interior surface and an outer surface, and the first end ring is removably attached to the first end. The first end ring has a perimeter that is substantially congruent with the first end, and is configured to maintain a shape of the barrel. The mid support is removably disposed within the barrel, and has a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from a central hub to contact the interior surface, to maintain a shape of the barrel.

Abstract: Drill plate assemblies are disclosed in the examples herein. An example method includes positioning an absorbent material between a drill plate and a surface to be drilled; performing a drilling operation on the surface including flowing coolant through the drill; and capturing at least some of coolant in the absorbent material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for removably deploying a floor assembly from a compacted state to a deployed state by varying tensioning forces to removably interconnected individual floor segments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for removably deploying a floor assembly from a compacted state to a deployed state by varying tensioning forces to removably interconnected individual floor segments.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for removably deploying a floor assembly from a compacted state to a deployed state by varying tensioning forces to removably interconnected individual floor segments.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for a composite structure includes a barrel of composite material, a first end ring, and a mid support. The barrel of composite material has a first end, an interior surface and an outer surface, and the first end ring is removably attached to the first end. The first end ring has a perimeter that is substantially congruent with the first end, and is configured to maintain a shape of the barrel. The mid support is removably disposed within the barrel, and has a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from a central hub to contact the interior surface, to maintain a shape of the barrel.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for a composite structure includes a barrel of composite material, a first end ring, and a mid support. The barrel of composite material has a first end, an interior surface and an outer surface, and the first end ring is removably attached to the first end. The first end ring has a perimeter that is substantially congruent with the first end, and is configured to maintain a shape of the barrel. The mid support is removably disposed within the barrel, and has a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from a central hub to contact the interior surface, to maintain a shape of the barrel.

Abstract: A barrel assembly for a composite structure includes a barrel of composite material, a first end ring, and a mid support. The barrel of composite material has a first end, an interior surface and an outer surface, and the first end ring is removably attached to the first end. The first end ring has a perimeter that is substantially congruent with the first end, and is configured to maintain a shape of the barrel. The mid support is removably disposed within the barrel, and has a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from a central hub to contact the interior surface, to maintain a shape of the barrel.