Radiopaque foam
AssigneeBell Textron Inc.
InventorsGlenn Gerard Rodriguez, Tamika Thashane Noote
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments are directed to a radiopaque foam used to repair composite structures. A method for creating the radiopaque foam comprises providing first and second resin components that are radiolucent to x-ray imaging. A barium sulfate component is combined with the second resin component. After combining the barium sulfate component and the second resin component, the first resin component and the second resin component are mixed to create a pourable foam. An amount of barium sulfate combined with the second resin component is sufficient to render the pourable foam radiopaque to x-ray imaging.
Claims20
A method for creating a radiopaque foam, comprising:
- providing a first resin component that is radiolucent to x-ray imaging;
- providing a second resin component that is radiolucent to x-ray imaging;
- combining a barium sulfate component with the second resin component;
- and
- after combining the barium sulfate component and the second resin component, mixing the first resin component and the second resin component to create a pourable foam, wherein an amount of barium sulfate combined with the second resin component is sufficient to render the pourable foam radiopaque to x-ray imaging.
A method of repairing a composite structure, comprising:
- providing an assembled composite structure comprising a substantially rigid outer component, wherein the composite structure comprises a void space at least partially bounded by the outer component;
- inserting a pourable foam into the void space while the foam is in a substantially unexpanded state, wherein the pourable foam comprises a two-part resin mixture having a barium sulfate additive;
- and
- after inserting the pourable foam, performing a nondestructive evaluation of the composite structure using x-rays.
A method of repairing a composite structure, comprising:
- creating a two-part adhesive by mixing a barium sulfate component with a first adhesive part and then combining the first adhesive part with a second adhesive part;
- providing an assembled composite structure having an abnormality;
- preparing the area of the abnormality for repair by creating a repair surface;
- applying the two-part adhesive between the repair surface and a repair material;
- and
- performing a nondestructive evaluation of the composite structure using x-rays.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.