Abstract: Aircraft ice protection systems and methods include an aircraft component having an internal layer and an external layer, a piezoelectric actuator element embedded within the aircraft component between material of the internal layer and the external layer, and a control system operably connected to the piezoelectric actuator element and configured to drive actuation of the piezoelectric actuator element to at least one of remove ice formed on the aircraft component and prevent the formation of ice on the aircraft component.

Abstract: A sustainable hybrid piezoelectric matrix ice protection system is provided. The system includes at least one energy harvester and anti-icing device and an energy storage device. Responsive to electrical power generated by the at least one energy harvester and anti-icing device being greater than a first threshold, the at least one energy harvester and anti-icing device stores the electrical power in the energy storage device. Responsive to the electrical power generated by the at least one energy harvester and anti-icing device being less than the first threshold, the at least one energy harvester and anti-icing device generates continuous, low-frequency vibrations for anti-icing.

Abstract: An ice protection system may include a blade and an electrothermal heater including a carbon nanotube (CNT) element and a metal element. The CNT element may be a CNT fabric or a CNT yarn. The metal element may be coupled to the CNT element via a metallization process, or the like. The electrothermal heater element may include an electric sheet resistivity between 0.01 and 0.5 ohms/square.

Abstract: A method for forming an aircraft component includes forming an inner portion of the aircraft component. The method further includes forming an outer layer of the aircraft component using extrusion of an elastomeric material. The method further includes coupling the outer layer of the aircraft component to the inner portion of the aircraft component.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for heater failure detection assemblies/systems and related methods of fabrication and use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for heater failure detection assemblies/systems for aircraft or the like, with the heater failure detection assemblies/systems utilizing thermal images to detect the operation or failure of an aircraft heater.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for composite tank assemblies and related methods of fabrication and use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for linerless composite tank assemblies for aircraft or fuel or the like, and related modular manufacturing methods. The present disclosure uses a multi-section manufacturing method and carbon fiber or equivalent material with epoxy or the like to fabricate the linerless composite tank assemblies (e.g., thermosetting epoxy; thermoplastic).

Abstract: A method of making a blind hole in a wall of a multi-section tank during manufacture includes inserting a thin, flexible composite spacer ring in a hole in a composite material between mating parts of a soluble tool. The composite spacer ring is cured to the composite material during curing and maintains the hole between sections of the tank once completed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for heater failure detection assemblies/systems and related methods of fabrication and use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for heater failure detection assemblies/systems for aircraft or the like, with the heater failure detection assemblies/systems utilizing thermal images to detect the operation or failure of an aircraft heater.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for ice protection heater assemblies, and related methods of fabrication and use. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for chordwise ice protection heater assemblies for aircraft or the like. The heater assemblies provide that the heater zones for the ice protection heater assembly are designed such that the electricity mainly flows along the chord of the aircraft component (e.g., wing). This puts the electrical connection points above and below as well as behind the stagnation point of the aircraft component. The electrical connection points are thus behind the area to be protected from icing via the heater assembly.

Abstract: An ice protection system for an aircraft component includes a plurality of heaters. The aircraft component has at least two section and a junction area. At least one of the heaters is an H-shape carbon allotrope heater designed to apply heat to the junction area and prevent ice accumulation in the junction area.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive for an ice protection assembly includes mixing ferrous nanoparticles into the adhesive. Removal of the adhesive for ice protection assembly inspection or repair includes heating the ferrous nanoparticles in the adhesive to soften the adhesive and allow for easy removal or repositioning of the ice protection assembly.

Abstract: A heated floor panel may comprise a base assembly and a heating element located on a first surface of the base assembly. A panel skin may be located over the heating element and the first surface of the base assembly. The panel skin may extend from the first surface of the base assembly to a second surface of the base assembly opposite the first surface of the base assembly.

Abstract: A heated floor panel may comprise a base assembly and a heating element located on a first surface of the base assembly. A panel skin may be located over the heating element and the first surface of the base assembly. The panel skin may extend from the first surface of the base assembly to a second surface of the base assembly opposite the first surface of the base assembly.

Abstract: An ice protection system for an aircraft component includes a plurality of heaters. The aircraft component has at least two section and a junction area. At least one of the heaters is an H-shape carbon allotrope heater designed to apply heat to the junction area and prevent ice accumulation in the junction area.

Abstract: A conformable tank includes a body with a plurality of walls defining a cavity in the body, and an internal support structure connected to an internal surface of one of the plurality of walls and protruding into the cavity of the body. The plurality of walls are formed of a first 3D woven composite material. The internal support structure is formed of a second composite material.

Abstract: A method of making an adhesive for an ice protection assembly includes transferring Z-CNTs from a substrate carrier into the adhesive. De-bonding of the adhesive for ice protection assembly inspection or repair or repositioning at initial installation includes heating the Z-CNTs in the adhesive to soften the adhesive and allow for easy removal.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise: a metal pipe portion extending from a first end to a first transition end and defining a first radially outer surface and a first radially inner surface, the first transition end comprising a first tooth element and a second tooth element disposed circumferentially adjacent to the first tooth element; and a polymeric pipe portion having a second transition end and defining a second radially outer surface and a second radially inner surface, the second transition end having a complimentary shape to the first transition end, the second transition end coupled to the first transition end.

Abstract: A conductive ink may comprise a high temperature thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and a plurality of conductive particles disposed in the high temperature TPU. The plurality of conductive particles may comprise between 60% and 95% of the conductive ink by weight. The high temperature TPU may include a melting point between 120° C. and 200° C. The conductive ink may be used for external heated composite structures, such as rotor blades, fixed wings, faring, engine lip electrothermal ice protection, or the like. The conductive ink may have enhanced mechanical fatigue resistance.

Abstract: An internal heating trace assembly may include a first bus bar, a second bus bar, a plurality of ceramic positive temperature coefficient (PTC) elements, and an insulator. The ceramic PTC elements may be disposed in parallel between the first bus bar and the second bus bar. The insulator may include a heat-shrink tubing. The ceramic PTC element may include a PTC strip or a PTC bead.

Abstract: A heated floor panel assembly for aircraft includes an impact layer made from a 2-D or 3-D woven high temperature thermoplastic fiber matrix impregnated with a resin. The impact layer can further include woven metallic fibers. The assembly also includes a stack of structural layers, a heating layer, and a core layer for absorbing shear stress.