Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first wall extending from a compression side to a fastened side of the seal assembly, a stiffening member embedded within the first wall adjacent to the compression side of the seal assembly, and a second wall exterior of the first wall and extending from the compression side to the fastened side of the seal assembly. When the seal assembly is pressurized, the first wall and the second wall define an insulated pocket.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring an environment history of a component using an indicator array that includes energy exposure indicator pads direct-printed onto a surface of the component in a geometric pattern. Each of the plurality of energy exposure indicator pads in the geometric pattern may include a mechanochromic material, a first thermochromic indicator responsive within a first temperature range, a second thermochromic indicator responsive within a second temperature range, and a third thermochromic indicator responsive within a third temperature range, provided that the first, second, and third temperature ranges are distinct from one another.

Abstract: There is provided a removable chromatic witness assembly, system, and method to monitor thermal events and impact events on a surface of a composite structure. The removable chromatic witness assembly has a plurality of chromatic witness geometric configurations separately coupled in an arrangement to one or more portions of a polymeric film layer. Each chromatic witness geometric configuration has a plurality of chromatic probes of a same type incorporated into an adhesive material. At least two of the geometric configurations have a different type of chromatic probes with a different sensing capability for thermal events and impact events on the composite structure. The polymeric film layer and the geometric configurations form the removable chromatic witness assembly in a form of a removable chromatic witness applique configured to be removably applied directly and continuously to the surface of the composite structure, and configured to monitor the thermal and impact events.

Abstract: There is provided a system, a method, and a thermochromatic witness assembly to monitor a thermal environment of a composite structure. The thermochromatic witness assembly has a polymeric material and one or more thermochromatic probes mixed into the polymeric material to form a thermochromatic probe mixture. The thermochromatic probe mixture is applied to a transparent polymeric film, or is formed into the transparent polymeric film with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) applied thereto, thus forming the thermochromatic witness assembly in a form of a thermochromatic applique. The thermochromatic applique is configured to be applied directly and continuously to a surface of the composite structure. The thermochromatic applique is further configured to monitor the thermal environment of the composite structure by detecting one or more temperatures and one or more times the surface of the composite structure is exposed to the thermal environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring an environment history of a component using an indicator array that includes energy exposure indicator pads direct-printed onto a surface of the component in a geometric pattern. Each of the plurality of energy exposure indicator pads in the geometric pattern may include a mechanochromic material, a first thermochromic indicator responsive within a first temperature range, a second thermochromic indicator responsive within a second temperature range, and a third thermochromic indicator responsive within a third temperature range, provided that the first, second, and third temperature ranges are distinct from one another.

Abstract: There is provided a removable chromatic witness assembly, system, and method to monitor thermal events and impact events on a surface of a composite structure. The removable chromatic witness assembly has a plurality of chromatic witness geometric configurations separately coupled in an arrangement to one or more portions of a polymeric film layer. Each chromatic witness geometric configuration has a plurality of chromatic probes of a same type incorporated into an adhesive material. At least two of the geometric configurations have a different type of chromatic probes with a different sensing capability for thermal events and impact events on the composite structure. The polymeric film layer and the geometric configurations form the removable chromatic witness assembly in a form of a removable chromatic witness applique configured to be removably applied directly and continuously to the surface of the composite structure, and configured to monitor the thermal and impact events.

Abstract: There is provided a system, a method, and a thermochromatic witness assembly to monitor a thermal environment of a composite structure. The thermochromatic witness assembly has a polymeric material and one or more thermochromatic probes mixed into the polymeric material to form a thermochromatic probe mixture. The thermochromatic probe mixture is applied to a transparent polymeric film, or is formed into the transparent polymeric film with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) applied thereto, thus forming the thermochromatic witness assembly in a form of a thermochromatic applique. The thermochromatic applique is configured to be applied directly and continuously to a surface of the composite structure. The thermochromatic applique is further configured to monitor the thermal environment of the composite structure by detecting one or more temperatures and one or more times the surface of the composite structure is exposed to the thermal environment.

Abstract: A structural member such as a strut includes a composite material tube having metal end fittings that are attached to the tube by co-bonded, double shear joints. The double shear bond joint construction reduces the residual stress on the bonds that result from mismatch of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the composite tube and the metal end fittings. The ends of the fittings that are bonded to the tube may include a stepped profile that functions to limit the peak stresses in the bonds.

Abstract: In one step of a method of fabricating a composite tube, layers of uncured composite material may be laid over a surface. In another step, spaced-apart strips of at least one of uncured, partially cured, and completely cured composite material may be laid lengthwise over the laid layers of composite material. In still another step, the spaced-apart strips may be compacted against the layers of uncured composite material. In an additional step, the compacted spaced-apart strips and the layers of uncured composite material may be further consolidated and/or cured to form a composite tube.

Abstract: A structural member such as a strut includes a composite material tube having metal end fittings that are attached to the tube by co-bonded, double shear joints. The double shear bond joint construction reduces the residual stress on the bonds that result from mismatch of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the composite tube and the metal end fittings. The ends of the fittings that are bonded to the tube may include a stepped profile that functions to limit the peak stresses in the bonds.

Abstract: In one step of a method of fabricating a composite tube, layers of uncured composite material may be laid over a surface. In another step, spaced-apart strips of at least one of uncured, partially cured, and completely cured composite material may be laid lengthwise over the laid layers of composite material. In still another step, the spaced-apart strips may be compacted against the layers of uncured composite material. In an additional step, the compacted spaced-apart strips and the layers of uncured composite material may be further consolidated and/or cured to form a composite tube.

Abstract: In one step of a method of fabricating a composite tube, layers of uncured composite material may be laid over a surface. In another step, spaced-apart strips of at least one of uncured, partially cured, and completely cured composite material may be laid lengthwise over the laid layers of composite material. In still another step, the spaced-apart strips may be compacted against the layers of uncured composite material. In an additional step, the compacted spaced-apart strips and the layers of uncured composite material may be further consolidated and/or cured to form a composite tube.

Abstract: In one step of a method of fabricating a composite tube, layers of uncured composite material may be laid over a surface. In another step, spaced-apart strips of at least one of uncured, partially cured, and completely cured composite material may be laid lengthwise over the laid layers of composite material. In still another step, the spaced-apart strips may be compacted against the layers of uncured composite material. In an additional step, the compacted spaced-apart strips and the layers of uncured composite material may be further consolidated and/or cured to form a composite tube.

Abstract: A structural member such as a strut includes a composite material tube having metal end fittings that are attached to the tube by co-bonded, double shear joints. The double shear bond joint construction reduces the residual stress on the bonds that result from mismatch of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the composite tube and the metal end fittings. The ends of the fittings that are bonded to the tube may include a stepped profile that functions to limit the peak stresses in the bonds.

Abstract: An insulating blanket for a bulkhead in an engine nacelle comprises a fabric backing layer, a central insulating core, a ceramic precursor-impregnated hot-side fabric layer and, as required, erosion-preventing wire mesh. The backing layer comprises a fiberglass fabric. The insulating core comprises a ceramic felt. The hot side layer comprises one or more layers of resin-impregnated fiber glass fabric. The blanket is precured to provide a predetermined geometric shape.