Abstract: Self-regulating thermal insulation includes one or more thermal actuators that expand and contract in response to changes in temperature adjacent the thermal insulation, thereby automatically changing the thermal resistance of the thermal insulation. In this manner, a self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to locally adjust in response to local changes in temperature of a part being insulated, for example, during curing or some other manufacturing process. Such self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to respond to temperature changes without feedback control systems, power, or human intervention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reworking a structure. A compaction blanket comprising a number of magnets is placed on the structure. A heat source is applied on the compaction blanket, wherein the compaction blanket is between the heat source and a rework of the structure and heat is conducted from the heat source through the compaction blanket to heat the rework.

Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component that define a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extends within the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and a magnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure. The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.

Abstract: Presently disclosed self-regulating thermal insulation may include one or more thermal actuators that may expand and contract in response to changes in temperature adjacent the thermal insulation, thereby automatically changing the thermal resistance of the thermal insulation. In this manner, a self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to locally adjust in response to local changes in temperature of a part being insulated, for example, during curing or some other manufacturing process. Such self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to respond to temperature changes without feedback control systems, power, or human intervention.

Abstract: Presently disclosed self-regulating thermal insulation may include one or more thermal actuators that may expand and contract in response to changes in temperature adjacent the thermal insulation, thereby automatically changing the thermal resistance of the thermal insulation. In this manner, a self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to locally adjust in response to local changes in temperature of a part being insulated, for example, during curing or some other manufacturing process. Such self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to respond to temperature changes without feedback control systems, power, or human intervention.

Abstract: An airfoil comprises a skin, comprising an external surface and an internal surface. The skin has a controlled region. The airfoil also comprises an interior space, formed by the skin. The airfoil additionally comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system, configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface. The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system comprises induction coils and a control system. Each one of the induction coils has a portion, arranged sufficiently close to the internal surface to produce an eddy current within the controlled region. The control system is configured to generate inductive heat and traveling-wave acoustic pressure in the controlled region by supplying different phases of the alternating electrical current to the induction coils based, at least in part, on an ambient temperature of a layer of fluid flowing over the external surface.

Abstract: A method of impeding formation of ice on an exterior surface of airfoil is disclosed. The method comprises detecting first ambient conditions known to cause the ice to form on exterior surface. The method also comprises supplying inductive heat and acoustic pressure to exterior surface when the first ambient conditions are detected. The method additionally comprises detecting second ambient conditions known to impede the ice from forming on exterior surface. The method further comprises discontinuing to supply the inductive heat and the acoustic pressure to exterior surface when the second ambient conditions are detected.

Abstract: An airfoil comprises a skin, comprising an external surface and an internal surface, opposite the external surface. The skin is magnetically and electrically conductive. The airfoil also comprises an interior space, formed by the skin. The internal surface faces the interior space. The airfoil additionally comprises a leading edge along the external surface. The airfoil further comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system, configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface. The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system comprises an induction coil within the interior space. At least a portion of the induction coil is sufficiently close to the internal surface to produce an eddy current in the skin when an alternating electrical current is flowing in the induction coil. The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system also comprises at least one magnet within the interior space. At least the one magnet is configured to produce a steady-state magnetic field within the skin.

Abstract: An airfoil comprises a skin, comprising an external surface and an internal surface. The skin has a controlled region. The airfoil also comprises an interior space, formed by the skin. The airfoil additionally comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system, configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface. The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system comprises an induction coil and a control system. At least a portion of the induction coil is sufficiently close to the internal surface to produce an eddy current within the controlled region when an alternating electrical current is flowing in the induction coil. The control system is configured to generate inductive heat and acoustic pressure in the controlled region by supplying the alternating electrical current to the induction coil based, at least in part, on an ambient temperature of a layer of fluid flowing over the external surface.

Abstract: Presently disclosed thermal actuators may be incorporated into a self-regulating thermal insulation, such that expansion and contraction of the thermal actuators in response to changes in temperature adjacent the thermal insulation automatically changes the thermal resistance of the thermal insulation. In this manner, a self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to locally adjust in response to local changes in temperature of a part being insulated, for example, during curing or some other manufacturing process. Such self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to respond to temperature changes without feedback control systems, power, or human intervention. One example of a thermal actuator may include a first segment of a first material, and a plurality of second segments of a second material, the second segments being coupled to the first segment and spaced apart from one another along the length of the first segment.

Abstract: An airfoil (100) comprises a skin (110), comprising an external surface (112) and an internal surface (114), opposite the external surface (112). The skin (110) is magnetically and electrically conductive. The airfoil (100) also comprises an interior space (108), formed by the skin (110). The internal surface (114) faces the interior space (108). The airfoil (100) additionally comprises a leading edge (106) along the external surface (112). The airfoil (100) further comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (102), configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface (112). The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (102) comprises an induction coil (130) within the interior space (108). At least a portion (136) of the induction coil (130) is sufficiently close to the internal surface (114) to produce an eddy current (180) in the skin (110) when an alternating electrical current (134) is flowing in the induction coil (130).

Abstract: An airfoil (300) comprises a skin (310), comprising an external surface (312) and an internal surface (314). The skin (310) has a controlled region (316). The airfoil (300) also comprises an interior space (308), formed by the skin (310). The airfoil (300) additionally comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (302), configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface (312). The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (302) comprises induction coils (328) and a control system (350). Each one of the induction coils (328) has a portion (336), arranged sufficiently close to the internal surface (314) to produce an eddy current (380) within the controlled region (316).

Abstract: A method (400) of impeding formation of ice on an exterior surface (104, 204, 304) of airfoil (100, 200, 300) is disclosed. The method (400) comprises detecting (402) first ambient conditions known to cause the ice to form on exterior surface (104, 204, 304). The method (400) also comprises supplying (404) inductive heat and acoustic pressure to exterior surface (104, 204, 304) when the first ambient conditions are detected. The method (400) additionally comprises detecting (406) second ambient conditions known to impede the ice from forming on exterior surface (104, 204, 304). The method (400) further comprises discontinuing (408) to supply the inductive heat and the acoustic pressure to exterior surface (104, 204, 304) when the second ambient conditions are detected.

Abstract: An airfoil (200) comprises a skin (210), comprising an external surface (212) and an internal surface (214). The skin (210) has a controlled region (216). The airfoil (200) also comprises an interior space (208), formed by the skin (210). The airfoil (200) additionally comprises a hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (202), configured to impede formation of ice on the external surface (212). The hybrid acoustic induction-heating system (202) comprises an induction coil (230) and a control system (250). At least a portion (236) of the induction coil (230) is sufficiently close to the internal surface (214) to produce an eddy current (280) within the controlled region (216) when an alternating electrical current (234) is flowing in the induction coil (230).

Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.

Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component that define a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extends within the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and a magnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure. The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.

Abstract: Motion-damping systems and methods that include motion-damping systems are disclosed herein. The motion-damping systems are configured to damp relative motion between a base structure and an attached component that define a gap therebetween. The systems include an at least substantially rigid tubular structure that defines an internal volume and extends within the gap. The systems also include a magnetic assembly and a magnetically active body. One of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is located within the tubular structure and the other of the magnetic assembly and the magnetically active body is operatively attached to a selected one of the base structure and the attached component. The magnetic assembly is in magnetic communication with the magnetically active body such that a magnetic interaction therebetween resists motion of the attached component relative to the base structure. The methods include dissipating energy with the motion-damping system.

Abstract: Presently disclosed self-regulating thermal insulation may include one or more thermal actuators that may expand and contract in response to changes in temperature adjacent the thermal insulation, thereby automatically changing the thermal resistance of the thermal insulation. In this manner, a self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to locally adjust in response to local changes in temperature of a part being insulated, for example, during curing or some other manufacturing process. Such self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to respond to temperature changes without feedback control systems, power, or human intervention.

Abstract: Presently disclosed thermal actuators may be incorporated into a self-regulating thermal insulation, such that expansion and contraction of the thermal actuators in response to changes in temperature adjacent the thermal insulation automatically changes the thermal resistance of the thermal insulation. In this manner, a self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to locally adjust in response to local changes in temperature of a part being insulated, for example, during curing or some other manufacturing process. Such self-regulating thermal insulation may be configured to respond to temperature changes without feedback control systems, power, or human intervention. One example of a thermal actuator may include a first segment of a first material, and a plurality of second segments of a second material, the second segments being coupled to the first segment and spaced apart from one another along the length of the first segment.

Abstract: A composite tube is made by applying a mixture of individual reinforcing fibers and a resin onto the interior cylindrical wall of the spinning mandrel.