Methods and apparatus for forming microscopic features on a film layer
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorWeidong Song
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for forming microscopic features on a film layer are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a tool having an outer surface defining a first microscopic pattern. The outer surface of the tool to engage a thermoplastic film applied to a surface of a structure. The outer surface is structured to frictionally engage the thermoplastic film and rotate relative to the thermoplastic film with a rotational speed that is sufficient to generate heat via friction between the outer surface and the thermoplastic film to heat the thermoplastic film to malleability to form a second microscopic pattern in the thermoplastic film.
Claims22
An apparatus for forming a microscopic pattern in a thermoplastic film while the thermoplastic film is attached to a surface of an aircraft structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical roller having a circumferential outer surface including a plurality of riblets extending in parallel around the circumferential outer surface and defining a plurality of valleys, respective ones of the valleys being located between and defined by two adjoining ones of the riblets, the riblets and the valleys collectively defining a first microscopic pattern, the circumferential outer surface configured to rotate relative to and while in contact with the thermoplastic film with a rotational speed that is sufficient to generate heat via friction between the circumferential outer surface and the thermoplastic film to heat the thermoplastic film to malleability to form a second microscopic pattern in the thermoplastic film.
An apparatus for forming a microscopic pattern in a thermoplastic film while the thermoplastic film is attached to a surface of an aircraft structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical roller having a circumferential outer surface including a plurality of riblets extending in parallel around the circumferential outer surface and defining a plurality of valleys, respective ones of the valleys being located between and defined by two adjoining ones of the riblets, the riblets and the valleys collectively defining a first microscopic pattern, the circumferential outer surface configured to rotate relative to and while in contact with the thermoplastic film to heat the thermoplastic film to malleability to form a second microscopic pattern in the thermoplastic film.
An apparatus for forming a microscopic pattern in a thermoplastic film while the thermoplastic film is attached to a surface of an aircraft structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a cylindrical roller having a circumferential outer surface including a plurality of riblets and a plurality of valleys, the riblets and the valleys collectively defining a first microscopic pattern, the circumferential outer surface configured to rotate relative to and while in contact with the thermoplastic film to heat the thermoplastic film to malleability to form a second microscopic pattern in the thermoplastic film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.