Abstract: There is provided a heat shield for an aircraft. The heat shield has a pair of side skins. Each side skin is formed of a heat resistant material and has a side skin edge. The heat shield further has a lower skin formed of a heat resistant material and having lower skin edges. The lower skin edges extend an extended length past the side skin edges. The lower skin edges are separate from the side skin edges. A gap is formed between the side skin edges and the lower skin. The lower skin is configured to thermally expand without contacting the pair of side skins. The heat shield further has a plurality of frame members attached to the lower skin. The heat shield further has an air ingress restrictor assembly associated with one of, the pair of side skins, or the lower skin.

Abstract: A thermal protection system is provided for a vehicle substructure. The thermal protection system comprises an outer layer for protecting the vehicle substructure. The thermal protection system further comprises an inner layer for conforming to the vehicle substructure. The thermal protection system also comprises an insulation layer sandwiched between the inner and outer layers. The insulation layer includes a porous low-density ceramic insulating material having a densified portion that covers an inner surface of the outer layer to strengthen adhesion.

Abstract: A continuous ceramic matrix composite strip is produced by passing a dry ceramic fiber strip through a ceramic slurry bath. Impregnation wheels within the bath guide the fiber strip through the bath and force the ceramic slurry into the fiber strip, thereby impregnating the strip. The impregnation wheels stir the ceramic slurry to maintain a homogeneous mixture. Air knives remove excess slurry from the strip. Thickness and width controls squeeze the impregnated strip to desired thickness and width dimensions.

Abstract: A thermal protection system is provided for a vehicle substructure. The thermal protection system comprises an outer layer for protecting the vehicle substructure. The thermal protection system further comprises an inner layer for conforming to the vehicle substructure. The thermal protection system also comprises an insulation layer sandwiched between the inner and outer layers. The insulation layer includes a porous low-density ceramic insulating material having a densified portion that covers an inner surface of the outer layer to strengthen adhesion.

Abstract: A method for reworking a ceramic structure. A portion of a first facesheet is removed from the ceramic structure to form a first aperture. The first facesheet comprises a number of layers of a first ceramic material. A portion of an inner section of the ceramic structure is removed to form a second aperture. The second aperture extends from the first aperture into the inner section. The inner section comprises a second ceramic material bonded to the first facesheet and has a lower density than the first facesheet. A ceramic replacement material is placed in the second aperture. A number of replacement ceramic layers are placed in the first aperture. Ceramic particles are placed between the first facesheet and the number of replacement ceramic layers. The ceramic particles are sintered to bond the number of replacement ceramic layers to the first facesheet.

Abstract: A thermal protection system including a plurality of layers. A first layer includes a passive insulation material. A second layer includes a phase change insulation material. A third layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer to separate the passive insulation material from the phase change insulation material.

Abstract: A thermal protection system including a plurality of layers. A first layer includes a passive insulation material. A second layer includes a phase change insulation material. A third layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer to separate the passive insulation material from the phase change insulation material. A structural system extends through the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A thermal protection system including a plurality of layers. A first layer includes a passive insulation material. A second layer includes a phase change insulation material. A third layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer to separate the passive insulation material from the phase change insulation material. A structural system extends through the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A thermal protection system including a plurality of layers. A first layer includes a passive insulation material. A second layer includes a phase change insulation material. A third layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer to separate the passive insulation material from the phase change insulation material.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a thermal protection element, a number of washers, a ceramic layer, a number of blind fasteners, and a number of tabs. The thermal protection element has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of sides. The ceramic layer covers at least the plurality of sides of the thermal protection element. The number of tabs is connected to the number of sides by the number of blind fasteners secured to the ceramic layers. The tabs may be part of a frame secured to a groove around the plurality of sides.

Abstract: High-temperature fabrics with a coatings to provide oxidation protection at high temperatures, and capable of being formed into a variety of softgoods parts, and methods for their manufacture are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a thermal protection element, a number of washers, a ceramic layer, a number of blind fasteners, and a number of tabs. The thermal protection element has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of sides. The ceramic layer covers at least the plurality of sides of the thermal protection element. The number of tabs is connected to the number of sides by the number of blind fasteners secured to the ceramic layers. The tabs may be part of a frame secured to a groove around the plurality of sides.

Abstract: A method for adding insulation or bulk absorbers into high temperature sandwich structures following fabrication is presented. A slurry of ceramic fibers and/or particles, opacified particles, fugitive fibers, organic binders and inorganic binders is prepared as an aqueous solution. The slurry is cast within a prepared sandwich structure, dried, and heated to form a low density ceramic core material to provide insulation or noise absorption. Following incorporation of the ceramic material, aerogels or phase change materials may also be added to provide additional thermal management benefits.

Abstract: High-temperature fabrics with a coatings to provide oxidation protection at high temperatures, and capable of being formed into a variety of softgoods parts, and methods for their manufacture are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a thermal protection element, a number of washers, a ceramic layer, a number of blind fasteners, and a number of tabs. The thermal protection element has an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of sides. The ceramic layer covers at least the plurality of sides of the thermal protection element. The number of tabs is connected to the number of sides by the number of blind fasteners secured to the ceramic layers. The tabs may be part of a frame secured to a groove around the plurality of sides.

Abstract: A blanket assembly includes a shear fabric and an attachment frame wrapped in the shear fabric. A thermal protection blanket is carried by the shear fabric.

Abstract: A composite structure and an associated exhaust washed structure are provided which may be formed of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials. A method of fabricating a composite structure which may include the CMC material is also provided. A composite structure may include a corrugated septum extending in a lengthwise direction. The composite structure may also include a flute within which the corrugated septum is disposed to form, for example, a partitioned flute assembly.

Abstract: A composite structure and an associated exhaust washed structure are provided which may be formed of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials. A method of fabricating a composite structure which may include the CMC material is also provided. A composite structure may include a corrugated septum extending in a lengthwise direction. The composite structure may also include a flute within which the corrugated septum is disposed to form, for example, a partitioned flute assembly.

Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite structure has a reinforced core for carrying loads. The core includes a web connected between the facesheets by edge bonded joints for transmitting compressive, tensile and shear loads. The edge bonded joints are laterally reinforced by bridging members bonded to the facesheets, on opposite sides of the webs The bridging members may comprise low density, high temperature rigid foam.

Abstract: A composite structure and an associated exhaust washed structure are provided which may be formed of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials. A method of fabricating a composite structure which may include the CMC material is also provided. A composite structure may include a corrugated septum extending in a lengthwise direction. The composite structure may also include a flute within which the corrugated septum is disposed to form, for example, a partitioned flute assembly.