Color applications for aerodynamic microstructures

• US 9,714,083 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2015
• Issued: 07/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Rawlings, Diane C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Richard G
• Application Number:
  US14/705,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20160325824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 244 1 R, 2441291, 244130, 244200
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 1/28 performed by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. brushes, pads, rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 3/12 by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/06 to obtain multicolour or other optical effects B05D5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/063 Reflective effect B05D5/067 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/065 having colour interferences or colour shifts or opalescent looking, flip-flop, two tones
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 15/00 Screen printers
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 15/0872 for printing on articles having essentially cylindrical surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/324 Reliefs
• CPC Class Codes: B44B 5/0047 by rolling B44B5/0061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B44B 5/0095 using computer control means
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/02 produced by reflected light, e.g. matt surfaces, lustrous surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 21/10 using other surface properties, e.g. roughness
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2230/26 by using rib lets or hydrophobic surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 23/00 Influencing air flow over aircraft surfaces, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/004 oriented essentially parallel to the direction of flow
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/12 by influencing the boundary layer
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/00 Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/12 using special optical effects
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/08 the advertising matter being arranged on the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 : Drag reduction

Abstract

Color applications for aerodynamic microstructures are disclosed herein. One disclosed example apparatus includes an aerodynamic microstructure of a vehicle, sub-microstructures superimposed on the aerodynamic microstructure, and a color application defined on or within the microstructure.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an at least partially transparent aerodynamic microstructure of a vehicle;

sub-microstructures superimposed on the aerodynamic microstructure; and

a color application including a color sub-layer disposed below the aerodynamic microstructure, wherein the color sub-layer is textured at an interface between the color sub-layer and an adjacent surface of the aerodynamic microstructure.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the color sub-layer is embedded within the aerodynamic microstructure.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including an ink or dye that is applied to an external surface of the aerodynamic microstructure.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein spacing between the sub-microstructures is less than about 0.4 microns.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the color sub-layer includes an applique defining an image.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the color sub-layer extends from the color sub-layer to ridges of the aerodynamic microstructure.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a colored portion embedded within the aerodynamic microstructure and above the color sub-layer.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sub-microstructures include distinct sub-microstructure groups that vary in at least one of sub-microstructure shape or size.

9. An apparatus comprising:

an at least partially transparent aerodynamic microstructure of a vehicle;

sub-microstructures superimposed on the aerodynamic microstructure; and

a color application including a color sub-layer disposed below the aerodynamic microstructure, wherein the color sub-layer extends into an external ridge of the aerodynamic microstructure.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the color sub-layer is textured at an interface between the color sub-layer and an adjacent surface of the aerodynamic microstructure.

11. A method comprising:

maneuvering a vehicle, wherein sub-microstructures are superimposed on an at least partially transparent aerodynamic microstructure of the vehicle, wherein a color application includes a color sub-layer that is below the aerodynamic microstructure, and wherein the color sub-layer is textured at an interface between the color sub-layer and an adjacent surface of the aerodynamic microstructure.

12. The method as defined in claim 11, wherein the sub-microstructures are machined onto the aerodynamic microstructure.

13. The method as defined in claim 11, wherein distances between the sub-microstructures are less than about 0.4 microns.

14. The method as defined in claim 11, further including a color layer, dye or ink that is applied to an external surface of the aerodynamic microstructure.

15. A method comprising:

providing sub-microstructures on an at least partially transparent aerodynamic microstructure of a vehicle; and

providing a color application including a color sub-layer to a surface embedded within the aerodynamic microstructure, wherein the color sub-layer is textured at an interface between the color sub-layer and an adjacent surface of the aerodynamic microstructure.

16. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein distances between the sub-microstructures are between about 0.4 and 0.7 microns.

17. The method as defined in claim 15, further including ink or dye that is applied to an external surface of the aerodynamic microstructure.

18. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the surface includes a bottom surface of the aerodynamic microstructure, and wherein providing the color application comprises applying an applique to provide an image to the bottom surface of the aerodynamic microstructure.

19. The method as defined in claim 18, wherein the applique is printed by cylindrical printing.

20. The method as defined in claim 15, wherein the surface comprises a bottom surface of the aerodynamic microstructure, the color application to be positioned adjacent to a vehicle surface.