Abstract: A propulsion system comprises a turbine engine, and an engine nacelle including an SPF/DB inner wall having a hot side face sheet against the engine and a cold side face sheet that has noise attenuation openings.

Abstract: A hybrid structure comprises a metallic built-up sandwich structure, and a monolithic superplastic formed and diffusion bonded structure joined to the built-up sandwich structure.

Abstract: A hybrid structure comprises a metallic built-up sandwich structure, and a monolithic superplastic formed and diffusion bonded structure joined to the built-up sandwich structure.

Abstract: A propulsion system comprises a turbine engine, and an engine nacelle including an SPF/DB inner wall having a hot side face sheet against the engine and a cold side face sheet that has noise attenuation openings.

Abstract: Expanded structural assemblies and preforms and methods therefor are provided. Each preform can include at least two structural members in a stacked relationship, defining cells that can be inflated to expand the preform. Elongate members can be disposed between the structural members along the cells to define passages through which fluid can be received during expanding. Further, the structural members of the preform can be connected by friction stir weld joints, some of which can extend only partially through the preform so that the preform defines cells that can be expanded. More than one adjacent friction stir weld joint can be disposed between adjacent cells of the preform to define multiple-pass friction stir weld joints.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for angularly extruding a workpiece through a die to form blanks and articles having refined grain structure. The die is also used to form the workpiece to a desired shape, such as a cylinder. The angular extrusion method can be used in place of some heat treatments, thereby lowering the cost and time for manufacturing articles. The method is compatible with materials with high strength-to-weight ratios such as aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof. The blanks can be used to form articles having favorable mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, formability, and resistance to fatigue, corrosion, and thermal stresses.

Abstract: Expanded structural assemblies and preforms and methods therefor are provided. Each preform can include at least two structural members in a stacked relationship, defining cells that can be inflated to expand the preform. Elongate members can be disposed between the structural members along the cells to define passages through which fluid can be received during expanding. Further, the structural members of the preform can be connected by friction stir weld joints, some of which can extend only partially through the preform so that the preform defines cells that can be expanded. More than one adjacent friction stir weld joint can be disposed between adjacent cells of the preform to define multiple-pass friction stir weld joints.

Abstract: A foot retention device (20, 100) includes a rigid vertical strut (40) and a springy band (30) disposed adjacent to an exterior side of the strut (40) and configured to flex over the strut (40) to form a non-drooping asymmetric arc that conforms to the profile of a human foot. A releasable securing mechanism (50) allows the band (30) to be easily secured and released. The foot retention device (20, 100) provides a fixed right angle (A) between a base plate (12, 180) and the vertical strut (40) allowing the user's foot to be inserted straight in. The foot retention device (20, 100) includes a non-sloping design for athletic applications, and a sloping design for footwear (200). Methods of assembling and manufacturing the foot retention device (20, 100) are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for angularly extruding a workpiece through a die to form blanks and articles having refined grain structure. The die is also used to form the workpiece to a desired shape, such as a cylinder. The angular extrusion method can be used in place of some heat treatments, thereby lowering the cost and time for manufacturing articles. The method is compatible with materials with high strength-to-weight ratios such as aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof. The blanks can be used to form articles having favorable mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, formability, and resistance to fatigue, corrosion, and thermal stresses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for angularly extruding a workpiece through a die to form blanks and articles having refined grain structure. The die is also used to form the workpiece to a desired shape, such as a cylinder. The angular extrusion method can be used in place of some heat treatments, thereby lowering the cost and time for manufacturing articles. The method is compatible with materials with high strength-to-weight ratios such as aluminum, titanium, and alloys thereof. The blanks can be used to form articles having favorable mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, formability, and resistance to fatigue, corrosion, and thermal stresses.

Abstract: A foot retention device (20, 100) includes a rigid vertical strut (40) and a springy band (30) disposed adjacent to an exterior side of the strut (40) and configured to flex over the strut (40) to form a non-drooping asymmetric arc that conforms to the profile of a human foot. A releasable securing mechanism (50) allows the band (30) to be easily secured and released. The foot retention device (20, 100) provides a fixed right angle (A) between a base plate (12, 180) and the vertical strut (40) allowing the user's foot to be inserted straight in. The foot retention device (20, 100) includes a non-sloping design for athletic applications, and a sloping design for footwear (200). Methods of assembling and manufacturing the foot retention device (20, 100) are also provided.

Abstract: A foot retention device includes a rigid vertical strut and a springy band disposed adjacent to an exterior side of the strut and configured to flex over the strut to form a non-drooping asymmetric arc that conforms to the profile of a human foot. A releasable securing mechanism allows the band to be easily secured and released. The foot retention device provides a fixed right angle between a base plate and the vertical strut allowing the user's foot to be inserted straight in. The foot retention device includes a non-sloping design for athletic applications, and a sloping design for footwear. Methods of assembling and manufacturing the foot retention device are also provided.

Abstract: The tool and the process for forming structural shapes from multiple elements of either a monolithic or metal matrix composition by either diffusion bonding or brazing the metal or metal composites under temperature and pressure. The pressure is applied by expanding superplastic metal bladders, the specimen is contained in a superplastic metal vacuum bag, and all are contained in a steel die cavity.

Abstract: The tool and the process for forming structural shapes from multiple elements of either a monolithic or metal matrix composition by either diffusion bonding or brazing the metal or metal composites under temperature and pressure. The pressure is applied by expanding superplastic metal bladders, the specimen is contained in a superplastic metal vacuum bag, and all are contained in a steel die cavity.

Abstract: A superplastically formed and diffusion bonded structure formed with two or more sheets and upset forging the material at the perimeter to provide the expulsive material between the inner most sheets so as to close the entrance angle formed between the expanded sheets at the line where the surfaces of the split forming fixture engage and the method of producing this structure. The upset forged material insures the structural integrity of the outside perimeter structure after removal of the flange which is normally present as a result of the holding fixture.