SURROGATE PATCH FOR COMPOSITE REPAIR PROCESS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surrogate patch assembly for a rework area of a structure, comprising:
- a surrogate patch body formed of a material for drawing moisture from the rework area; and
at least one sensor mounted to the surrogate patch body and being configured as one of the following;
a thermal sensor for sensing a temperature of at least one of the rework area and the surrogate patch body; and
a moisture sensor for sensing moisture in the surrogate patch body.
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Abstract
A surrogate patch assembly for a rework area of a structure comprises a surrogate patch body which may be formed of a material for drawing moisture from the rework area. The patch assembly may include a sensor mounted to the surrogate patch body. The sensor may comprise a thermal sensor for sensing the temperature of the rework area and the surrogate patch body. The sensor may comprise a moisture sensor for sensing moisture drawn into the surrogate patch body.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A surrogate patch assembly for a rework area of a structure, comprising:
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a surrogate patch body formed of a material for drawing moisture from the rework area; and at least one sensor mounted to the surrogate patch body and being configured as one of the following; a thermal sensor for sensing a temperature of at least one of the rework area and the surrogate patch body; and a moisture sensor for sensing moisture in the surrogate patch body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A surrogate patch assembly for a rework area of a composite structure, comprising:
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a surrogate patch body having top and bottom surfaces and defining a substantially uniform thickness, the surrogate patch body being formed of felt for drawing moisture from the rework area, the felt having a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.01 to 1.0 W/mK and a specific heat capacity of approximately 600 to 1100 J/(kgK); a plurality of thermal sensors mounted to the surrogate patch body for sensing a temperature of the rework area and the surrogate patch body, at least one of the thermal sensors being embedded within the surrogate patch body between the top and bottom surfaces; and a plurality of moisture sensors mounted to the surrogate patch body on the top surface for sensing moisture absorbed from the rework area.
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13. A surrogate patch system for repairing a structure with a patch receivable within a rework area, the system comprising:
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a surrogate patch body formed of non-composite material having thermal properties substantially similar to thermal properties of the patch, the thermal properties comprising at least one of specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity; at least one thermal sensor mounted on the surrogate patch body for sensing a temperature of the surrogate patch body; and at least one thermal sensor mounted on the rework area for sensing a temperature of the rework area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. The surrogate patch system of 13 wherein the structure includes upper and lower surfaces and having at least one heat sink mounted on the lower surface adjacent to the rework area, the system further comprising:
at least one thermal sensor mounted on the upper surface opposite the location of the heat sink on the bottom surface.
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19. A method of repairing a composite structure having upper and lower surfaces, comprising the steps of:
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forming a surrogate patch body of material for drawing moisture from a rework area of the composite structure; mounting at least one sensor on the surrogate patch body; installing the surrogate patch body in the rework area; and performing at least one of the following; conducting a thermal survey of the rework area; removing moisture from the rework area. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of repairing a composite structure comprised of a plurality of plies, the structure having upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface including a rework area for receiving a patch, the lower surface having at least one heat sink disposed thereon, the method comprising the steps of:
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forming a surrogate patch body of material for drawing moisture from the rework area, the surrogate patch body having a specific heat capacity and a thermal conductivity substantially similar to the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the patch; mounting a thermal sensor on the surrogate patch body for sensing a temperature of at least one of the rework area and the surrogate patch body; mounting a moisture sensor on the surrogate patch body for sensing moisture drawn from the rework area; mounting a thermal sensor on the upper surface of the composite structure opposite a location of the heat sink on the lower surface; mounting a thermal sensor in at least one of a bottom center and a scarf of the rework area; covering the rework area with a porous parting film; installing the surrogate patch body in the rework area over the parting film; covering the surrogate patch body with a breather layer; installing a heating blanket over the breather layer; installing a breather layer over the heating blanket; vacuum bagging the surrogate patch body and heating blanket with a bagging film; heating the rework area; drawing a vacuum on the bagging film; and performing at least one of the following; conducting a thermal survey of the rework area; removing moisture from the rework area.
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Specification