Aerodynamics machine in-place tile thermal protection
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMoises Nevarez, Robert J. Perez, Stephanie C. Klimczak, Jonathan D. Embler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for building an aerodynamic structure, an aerodynamic structure, and a vehicle that includes the aerodynamic structure are provided. The method includes providing a structure with at least one substantially-flat exterior surface. The method also includes attaching blocks of rigid fibrous insulation to the at least one substantially-flat outer surface of the structure. Outward-facing surfaces of the blocks of rigid fibrous insulation extend past a target outer mold line of a final aerodynamic shape. The method also includes machining the outward-facing surfaces of the attached blocks to the outer mold line.
Claims20
A method of building an aerodynamic structure, comprising:
- providing a structure with at least one substantially flat surface;
- attaching a plurality of rigid insulation blocks to the at least one substantially flat surface of the structure, wherein outward-facing surfaces of the plurality of rigid insulation blocks extend past an outer mold line of an aerodynamic shape;
- and machining the outward-facing surfaces of the plurality of rigid insulation blocks to the outer mold line of the aerodynamic shape after attaching the plurality of rigid insulation blocks to the at least one substantially flat surface of the structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.