Apparatus, system, and method for reinforcing composite structure

A method of repairing a composite structure, the method comprising:

• applying a patch, comprising a plurality of plies comprising fibers embedded in a matrix material and a patch adhesive coupled to the plurality of plies, onto a first portion of a cured composite over and surrounding an abnormality in a solid laminate of the cured composite so that the plurality of plies is adhesively bonded directly to the first portion of the cured composite via the patch adhesive and the patch covers a predetermined area greater than the abnormality of the cured composite, wherein:
• the cured composite comprises a cured-composite plurality of unidirectional fibers;
• and
• the plurality of plies comprises:
• a first ply, wherein the first ply comprises a first-ply plurality of unidirectional fibers embedded in a matrix material and oriented in a first direction that is parallel to the cured-composite plurality of unidirectional fibers;
• and
• a second ply, wherein the second ply in the plurality of plies comprises a second-ply plurality of unidirectional fibers oriented in a second direction that is different than the first direction;
• and
• applying a pressure-sensitive tape, comprising a metallic material and a tape adhesive fixed to the metallic material, over the patch and the cured composite such that the tape adhesive of the pressure-sensitive tape adheres to the patch and a second portion of the cured composite surrounding the first portion of the cured composite.

A structural reinforcement for repairing an abnormal surface of a composite structure, comprising:

• a patch, having a patch strength and comprising:
• a plurality of plies in a stacked arrangement, wherein:
• a first ply of the plurality of plies is made of a fiber-reinforced polymeric material comprising a matrix material and a first-ply plurality of unidirectional fibers embedded in the matrix material and oriented in a first direction that is parallel to a cured-composite plurality of unidirectional fibers of the composite structure;
• a second ply of the plurality of plies comprises a second-ply plurality of unidirectional fibers oriented in a second direction that is different than the first direction;
• and
• the plurality of plies defines a first side and a second side of the plurality of plies, opposite the first side;
• and
• a patch adhesive fixed on the first side of the plurality of plies and comprising an adhesive material;
• and
• a pressure-sensitive tape, having a tape strength and comprising a metallic material and a tape adhesive, fixed to the metallic material,
• wherein:
• the pressure-sensitive tape is fixed to and covers an entirety of the second side of the patch;
• the patch strength is greater than the tape strength;
• and
• the plurality of plies of the patch is large enough so that the first side of the plurality of plies is adhesively bondable directly to a solid laminate of a cured composite of the composite structure via the patch adhesive such that the patch covers a predetermined area that is greater than an area of an abnormality in the solid laminate.