Abstract: A process for densifying an annular porous structure comprising flowing a reactant gas into an inner diameter (ID) volume and through an ID surface of the annular porous structure, flowing the reactant gas through an outer diameter (OD) surface of the annular porous structure and into an OD volume, flowing the reactant gas from the OD volume through the OD surface of the annular porous structure, and flowing the reactant gas through an ID surface of the annular porous structure and into the ID volume.

Abstract: A friction disk brake system may comprise a plurality of rotor friction disks and a plurality of stator friction disks. At least one of the friction disks may be a split disk friction disk. The split disk friction disk may comprise a first disk half and a second disk half. A carbon foam damping feature may be located between the first disk half and the second disk half.

Abstract: A loom system for making a fibrous preform may comprise a base, a bedplate coupled to the base, wherein the bedplate is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and an air entangling module coupled to the base. The air entangling module may comprise an air entangling head coupled to an outer support and an inner support, wherein the air entangling head is configured to apply a jet of air toward the bedplate at an entangling zone. The air entangling head may have freedom of motion along the outer support and the inner support, and may be configured to rest on top of a fibrous layer.

Abstract: An air entanglement system having a housing, a first rotatable surface disposed with the housing, and a second rotatable surface disposed with the housing proximate the first rotatable surface is described herein. The first rotatable surface may comprise a first plurality of air jets configured to air entangle a preform in situ. The second rotatable surface may be disposed with the housing proximate the first rotatable surface. The second rotatable surface may comprise a second plurality of air jets configured to air entangle the preform in situ. The air entanglement system may be configured to achieve negative pressure in response to being under suction.

Abstract: A circular air entangling system may comprise a bed plate for receiving fiber layers. An air entangling module may entangle the fiber layers with one another and a fiber packaging apparatus may transport the fiber layers for further processing. In this manner, a fiber preform may be constructed.

Abstract: A process for densifying an annular porous structure comprising flowing a reactant gas into an inner diameter (ID) volume and through an ID surface of the annular porous structure, flowing the reactant gas through an outer diameter (OD) surface of the annular porous structure and into an OD volume, flowing the reactant gas from the OD volume through the OD surface of the annular porous structure, and flowing the reactant gas through an ID surface of the annular porous structure and into the ID volume.

Abstract: A preform manufacturing apparatus comprising a supply of fiber strip, a moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism coupled between a desired lay down location and the supply of fiber strip to positively deliver and orient the supply of fiber strip to the desired lay down location, and an electronic unwinder coupled to the supply of fiber strip is described herein. The electronic unwinder is configured to interact with the moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A friction disk brake system may comprise a plurality of rotor friction disks and a plurality of stator friction disks. At least one of the friction disks may be a split disk friction disk. The split disk friction disk may comprise a first disk half and a second disk half. A carbon foam damping feature may be located between the first disk half and the second disk half.

Abstract: A preform manufacturing apparatus comprising a supply of fiber strip, a moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism coupled between a desired lay down location and the supply of fiber strip to positively deliver and orient the supply of fiber strip to the desired lay down location, and an optional electronic unwinder coupled to the supply of fiber strip when more delicate textile strips are used to fabricate the net shape preform is described herein. The electronic unwinder is configured to interact with the moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A carbon/carbon brake disk is provided. The carbon/carbon brake disk may comprise a carbon fiber, wherein the carbon fiber is formed into a fibrous network, wherein the fibrous network comprises carbon deposited therein. The carbon fiber may undergo a FHT process, wherein micro-cracks are disposed in the carbon fiber. In various embodiments, the micro-cracks may be at least partially filled with un-heat-treated carbon via a final CVD process, wherein the final CVD process is performed at a temperature in the range of up to about 1,000° C. (1,832° F.) for a duration in the range from about 20 hours to about 100 hours. In various embodiments, the un-heat-treated carbon may be configured to prevent oxygen, moisture, and/or oxidation protection systems (OPS) chemicals from penetrating the carbon/carbon brake disk. In various embodiments, the final CVI/CVD process may be configured to increase the wear life of the carbon/carbon brake disk.

Abstract: A system is disclosed comprising a carbon/carbon brake disk comprising a carbon fiber having a crystal orientation (CO) between 80% and 100% and a coefficient of friction of more than 0.183 in response to a rejected takeoff condition.

Abstract: An air entanglement system having a housing, a first rotatable surface disposed with the housing, and a second rotatable surface disposed with the housing proximate the first rotatable surface is described herein. The first rotatable surface may comprise a first plurality of air jets configured to air entangle a preform in situ. The second rotatable surface may be disposed with the housing proximate the first rotatable surface. The second rotatable surface may comprise a second plurality of air jets configured to air entangle the preform in situ. The air entanglement system may be configured to achieve negative pressure in response to being under suction.

Abstract: A preform manufacturing apparatus comprising a supply of fiber strip, a moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism coupled between a desired lay down location and the supply of fiber strip to positively deliver and orient the supply of fiber strip to the desired lay down location, and an optional electronic unwinder coupled to the supply of fiber strip when more delicate textile strips are used to fabricate the net shape preform is described herein. The electronic unwinder is configured to interact with the moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism.

Abstract: A circular air entangling system may comprise a bed plate for receiving fiber layers. An air entangling module may entangle the fiber layers with one another and a fiber packaging apparatus may transport the fiber layers for further processing. In this manner, a fiber preform may be constructed.

Abstract: A carbon/carbon part and a process for making carbon/carbon parts is provided. The process involves forming steps, carbonization steps and densification steps. The forming steps may include needling fibrous layers to form fibers that extend in three directions. The carbonization steps may include applying pressure to increase the fiber volume ratio of the fibrous preform. The densification steps may include filling the voids of the fibrous preform with a carbon matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for densifying porous structures inside a furnace using pressure gradient CVI/CVD. The apparatus includes a stack of porous structures where each porous structure has an aperture therethrough. The apparatus also includes at least one ring-like spacer disposed within the stack of porous structures between neighboring porous structures. The ring-like spacer encircles the apertures of the neighboring porous structures. The stack of porous structures and the at least one ring-like spacer define an enclosed cavity including each porous structure aperture. A channel provides fluid communication between the enclosed cavity and an outer volume defined by the interior surface of the furnace.