Abstract: A thermal barrier coated radio frequency (RF) radome is provided having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a tip, and a base, wherein the RF radome is designed to transmit RF signals. A thermal barrier coating is applied to an exterior surface of the radome, wherein the thermal barrier coating has a dielectric constant of less than about 2.0, and further wherein the thermal barrier coating reduces a structure temperature of the RF radome by greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit to enhance thermo-mechanical properties and performance of the RF radome.

Abstract: A thermal barrier coated radio frequency (RF) radome is provided having a radio frequency (RF) radome with an exterior surface, an interior surface, a tip, and a base, wherein the RF radome is designed to transmit RF signals. A thermal barrier coating is applied to an exterior surface of the radome, wherein the thermal barrier coating has a dielectric constant of less than about 2.0, and further wherein the thermal barrier coating reduces a structure temperature of the RF radome by greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit to enhance thermo-mechanical properties and performance of the RF radome.

Abstract: Thermal barrier coated RF radomes and a method for making the same are provided. In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a method for making a thermal barrier coated radio frequency (RF) radome. The method comprises providing a radio frequency (RF) radome. The method further comprises applying a thermal barrier coating having a dielectric constant less than about 2.0 onto a surface of the radome to form a thermal barrier coated RF radome. The thermal barrier coating reduces a structure temperature of the radome by greater than 300 degrees Fahrenheit to enhance thermo-mechanical properties and performance of the RF radome.

Abstract: A temperature tolerant hook and loop attachment, a method of forming a sheet of the hooks and, a method of insulating the skin of a flight vehicle. Temporary loops are formed in a fabric containing temperature tolerant fiber tows, e.g., the tows may be carbon, a metal, a carbide such as carbon silicide, a nitride, or an oxide. The temporary loops are stiffened (e.g., with resin, metal or ceramic), and severed to form temperature tolerant fiber composite hooks. The sheet may be cut and permanently applied, for example, to the skin of a spacecraft or aircraft. A fibrous material, e.g., fibrous insulation or batting, may be pressed in place or formed into the hooks, or the fibrous material may be attached to another structure and pressed in place for a temperature tolerant hook and loop attachment.

Abstract: A method of forming a thermally insulating body that may involve co-depositing onto a substrate, particles containing aerogel material, particles containing phase change material, and a solution containing a binder and a carrier. The phase change material may have encapsulated phase change material particles in which a phase change substance encapsulated within durable capsules transitions from a solid to a liquid at a temperature greater than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The carrier may be removed after the co-deposition to form a solid thermally insulating body on the substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a body comprising particles containing an insulating aerogel material intermingled with particles containing a phase change material, and a binder forming a matrix retaining the intermingled particles. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an insulating body comprised by applying first and second streams onto a substrate; the first stream comprising a binder and the second stream comprising particles containing aerogel material; and simultaneously applying a phase change material onto the substrate.

Abstract: A temperature tolerant hook and loop attachment, a method of forming a sheet of the hooks and, a method of insulating the skin of a flight vehicle. Temporary loops are formed in a fabric containing temperature tolerant fiber tows, e.g., the tows may be carbon, a metal, a carbide such as carbon silicide, a nitride, or an oxide. The temporary loops are stiffened (e.g., with resin, metal or ceramic), and severed to form temperature tolerant fiber composite hooks. The sheet may be cut and permanently applied, for example, to the skin of a spacecraft or aircraft. A fibrous material, e.g., fibrous insulation or batting, may be pressed in place or formed into the hooks, or the fibrous material may be attached to another structure and pressed in place for a temperature tolerant hook and loop attachment.

Abstract: A method of forming preform structures from fiber composite materials in an automated tape placement process, for subsequent resin infusion and heating. Pulsed laser radiation is directed into a nip region of a compaction roller during formation of a composite preform structure to selectively heat discrete areas on a resin veil of thermoplastic to an incoming fiber tape material and a surface of a substrate, to more precisely control tacking of the resin veil of thermoplastic to the fiber tape and the surface of a substrate in predetermined locations.

Abstract: A composite material collation machine and associated method for fiber tape placement and consolidation at a relatively high rate are provided. The composite material collation machine includes a laser diode array for heating at least one fiber tape, a compaction device for pressing the fiber tape against a workpiece, an inspection system for monitoring the fiber tape, and a controller. The inspection system produces an output representative of at least one characteristic of the fiber tape, and the controller is capable of receiving the output and, based on the output, automatically altering at least one system parameter defining an operational characteristic of the composite material collation machine.

Abstract: A composite material collation machine and associated method for fiber tape placement and consolidation at a relatively high rate are provided. The composite material collation machine includes a laser diode array for heating at least one fiber tape, a compaction device for pressing the fiber tape against a workpiece, an inspection system for monitoring the fiber tape, and a controller. The inspection system produces an output representative of at least one characteristic of the fiber tape, and the controller is capable of receiving the output and, based on the output, automatically altering at least one system parameter defining an operational characteristic of the composite material collation machine.

Abstract: A composite material collation machine and associated method for fiber tape placement and consolidation at a relatively high rate are provided. The composite material collation machine includes a laser diode array for heating at least one fiber tape, a compaction device for pressing the fiber tape against a workpiece, an inspection system for monitoring the fiber tape, and a controller. The inspection system produces an output representative of at least one characteristic of the fiber tape, and the controller is capable of receiving the output and, based on the output, automatically altering at least one system parameter defining an operational characteristic of the composite material collation machine.

Abstract: A composite material collation machine and associated method for fiber tape placement and consolidation at a relatively high rate are provided. The composite material collation machine includes a laser diode array for heating at least one fiber tape, a compaction device for pressing the fiber tape against a workpiece, an inspection system for monitoring the fiber tape, and a controller. The inspection system produces an output representative of at least one characteristic of the fiber tape, and the controller is capable of receiving the output and, based on the output, automatically altering at least one system parameter defining an operational characteristic of the composite material collation machine.

Abstract: Composite articles are produced by guiding composite tape material through a compaction region where the tape material is pressed onto a substrate, and heating the tape and substrate ahead of the compaction region by irradiating opposing surfaces of the tape and substrate with laser radiation produced by a laser diode array. The laser diode array is divided into independently controllable diode groups, and the diode groups are controlled so as to independently control heating of one area of the tape and substrate relative to another area of the tape and substrate. In one embodiment, the widthwise profile of the light energy is such that a widthwise portion of the tape at an inner radius of a curved path along which the tape is steered at the compaction region is heated to a greater extent than a widthwise portion of the tape at an outer radius of the path.

Abstract: A method for making vanadium dioxide (V.sub.2 or V.sub.2 O.sub.4) powders from vanadyl sulfate without using SO.sub.2 gas, comprises evaporative decomposition of a vanadyl sulfate hydrate spray, entrained in a nitrogen atmosphere at O.sub.2 partial pressures that would normally predict V.sub.2 O.sub.5 V.sub.2 O.sub.3. The yield of VO.sub.2 (also identified as V.sub.2 O.sub.4) is substantially improved, and occurs at lower temperatures, by the addition of hydrogen gas into the atmosphere. Surprisingly, there is no production of V.sub.2 O.sub.3. Minor amounts of a suitable dopant salt dissolved in the spray provide improved low transition temperature powders.