Abstract: Multi-layer thermal insulator apparatus and methods are described. An example multi-layer thermal insulator includes a first thermally insulating layer, a second thermally insulating layer, and a thermally conductive layer positioned between and adjacent to the first thermally insulating layer and the second thermally insulating layer.

Abstract: A composite material joined with a curable phenolic resin adhesive, with the phenolic resin adhesive comprising a stiffening agent precursor, and with the stiffening agent precursor selected to react with reaction by-products of the phenolic resin adhesive during curing to produce a reaction product stiffening agent in a cured bonding layer that is detectable by ultrasound, resins comprising the stiffening agent precursor, bonding layers comprising the reaction product stiffening agent, and methods for making the composite material joints and inspecting the composite material joints are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first composite support structure and a second composite support structure. The first and second composite support structures are in a predetermined position relative to one another. The apparatus further includes an uncured pre-preg ply, wherein: the uncured pre-preg ply overlies at least a portion of the first composite support structure; the uncured pre-preg ply overlies at least a portion of the second composite support structure; and the first and second composite support structures are each stiffer than the uncured pre-preg ply.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for permanent magnet damping and generated light are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for damping and generating light comprises damping, by a permanent magnet (PM) damper connected to a panel (e.g., a door of an aircraft luggage bin), the speed of opening of the panel, while the panel is opened. The method further comprises generating, by the PM damper, electrical power, during the opening of the panel. Also, the method comprises storing the electrical power in an electrical power storage unit, such as a capacitor or a battery. In addition, the method comprises powering, by using the stored electrical power, lighting, such as a lighting emitting diode (LED). Further, the method comprises dissipating any remaining electrical power of the electrical power, which is stored in the electrical power storage unit, when the panel is closed.

Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for making thermoplastic resin materials and composite resin systems and materials made from the thermoplastic resins, by seeding one melted thermoplastic material with a second thermoplastic material in a crystalline state that comprises an amount of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A composite material joined with a curable phenolic resin adhesive, with the phenolic resin adhesive comprising a stiffening agent precursor, and with the stiffening agent precursor selected to react with reaction by-products of the phenolic resin adhesive during curing to produce a reaction product stiffening agent in a cured bonding layer that is detectable by ultrasound, resins comprising the stiffening agent precursor, bonding layers comprising the reaction product stiffening agent, and methods for making the composite material joints and inspecting the composite material joints are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming composite materials and associated apparatuses is presented, including positioning at least one electronic component on a lay-up surface. The method also includes positioning a composite on the lay-up surface, where the composite comprises resin and fibers. Additionally, the method includes causing a flow of the resin between the lay-up surface and the fibers. Yet further, the method includes curing the resin to form a cured resin, where the electronic component and the fibers are located in the cured resin. The composite material includes a resin having a shape based on a surface of a lay-up system. Additionally, the composite material includes fibers contained within the resin. Further, the composite materials includes at least one electronic component. The electronic component of the composite material is located in the resin based on a flow of the resin around the electronic component on the surface of the lay-up.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of inspecting a part for defects. The method includes applying an electromagnetic field to the part using a defect detection coil and one or more noise cancelation coils. The method also includes detecting feedback received in response to applying the electromagnetic field. The method includes adjusting settings corresponding to the one or more noise cancelation coils, in response to the feedback, to reduce electromagnetic noise.

Abstract: A method of making a part comprising stacking a plurality of uncured composite sheets to form an uncured composite stack. The method also comprises interposing a resistor wire between an adjacent two of the uncured composite sheets of the uncured composite stack. The method further comprises applying heat to the uncured composite stack externally of the uncured composite stack to at least partially cure the plurality of uncured composite sheets. The method additionally comprises transmitting an electric current through the resistor wire to generate heat, from the resistor wire, internally within the uncured composite stack to at least partially cure the plurality of uncured composite sheets. Applying heat to the uncured composite stack externally and generating heat internally converts the plurality of uncured composite sheets into a plurality of cured composite sheets and converts the uncured composite stack into a cured composite stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a composite structure includes a tape placement machine including a delivery head configured to dispose a composite tape and a backing plate coupled to the tape placement machine and selectively located relative to the delivery head to react to a placement force applied by the tape placement machine as the composite tape is being disposed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a composite structure includes steps of: (1) laying up, with a delivery head of a tape placement machine, a continuous segment of a composite tape on a composite panel to form a flange portion of an initial ply of a composite stiffener; (2) locating a backing plate, coupled to the delivery head, relative to the delivery head and the composite panel; and (3) further layup up, with the delivery head, the continuous segment of the composite tape on the backing plate to form a web portion of the initial ply of the composite stiffener.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical (mem) device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a shaped carbon nanotube with a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaped carbon nanotube is conductively connected to the first electrode and the second end is conductively connected to the second electrode. A system for making the device includes a plurality of electrodes placed outside the growth region of a furnace to produce a controlled, time-varying electric field. A controller for the system is connected to a power supply to deliver controlled voltages to the electrodes to produce the electric field. A mixture of gases is passed through the furnace with the temperature raised to cause chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon on a catalyst. The sequentially time-varying electric field parameterizes a growing nanotube into a predetermined shape.

Abstract: An example system for inspecting a surface includes a laser, an optical system, a gated camera, and a control system. The laser is configured to emit pulses of light, with respective wavelengths of the pulses of light varying over time. The optical system includes at least one optical element, and is configured to direct light emitted by the laser to points along a scan line one point at a time. The gated camera is configured to record a fluorescent response of the surface from light having each wavelength of a plurality of wavelengths at each point along the scan line. The control system is configured to control the gated camera such that an aperture of the gated camera is open during fluorescence of the surface but closed during exposure of the surface to light emitted by the laser.

Abstract: A micro electromechanical (mem) device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a shaped carbon nanotube with a first end and a second end. The first end of the shaped carbon nanotube is conductively connected to the first electrode and the second end is conductively connected to the second electrode. A system for making the device includes a plurality of electrodes placed outside the growth region of a furnace to produce a controlled, time-varying electric field. A controller for the system is connected to a power supply to deliver controlled voltages to the electrodes to produce the electric field. A mixture of gases is passed through the furnace with the temperature raised to cause chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon on a catalyst. The sequentially time-varying electric field parameterizes a growing nanotube into a predetermined shape.

Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic system for a vehicle. The hydraulic system has a hydraulic rotary actuator assembly rotationally coupled to a road wheel of the vehicle. The hydraulic rotary actuator assembly has a first operating mode, wherein a rotation of the road wheel causes the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly to pump a fluid from a fluid supply system. The hydraulic system further has a variable restrictor assembly coupled to the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly in the vehicle. The variable restrictor assembly controls a flow of the fluid flowing from the hydraulic rotary actuator assembly, to brake the rotation of the road wheel on a ground surface. The hydraulic system further has a variable restrictor controller coupled to the variable restrictor assembly. The variable restrictor controller controls the variable restrictor assembly, so as to enable a variation of a rate of braking of the road wheel on the ground surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for making thermoplastic resin materials and composite resin systems and materials made from the thermoplastic resins, by seeding one melted thermoplastic material with a second thermoplastic material in a crystalline state that comprises an amount of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: A self-forming sealant system forms a seal between two parts or between a fastener and a part of a structure. In forming the seal, a first finish having a high surface energy is applied to the joint between the two parts or is applied to the fastener and the part. A second finish having a low surface energy is then applied adjacent to the area where the first finish was applied. A sealant is then applied to the joint between the two parts or the fastener and the part, where the sealant migrates to the joint or fastener coated with the first finish having the high surface energy and away from the areas adjacent the joint or the fastener coated by the second finish having the low surface energy.

Abstract: A composite material joined with a curable phenolic resin adhesive, with the phenolic resin adhesive comprising a stiffening agent precursor, and with the stiffening agent precursor selected to react with reaction by-products of the phenolic resin adhesive during curing to produce a reaction product stiffening agent in a cured bonding layer that is detectable by ultrasound, resins comprising the stiffening agent precursor, bonding layers comprising the reaction product stiffening agent, and methods for making the composite material joints and inspecting the composite material joints are disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material joined with a curable phenolic resin adhesive, with the phenolic resin adhesive comprising a stiffening agent precursor, and with the stiffening agent precursor selected to react with reaction by-products of the phenolic resin adhesive during curing to produce a reaction product stiffening agent in a cured bonding layer that is detectable by ultrasound, resins comprising the stiffening agent precursor, bonding layers comprising the reaction product stiffening agent, and methods for making the composite material joints and inspecting the composite material joints are disclosed.