An acoustic panel (200) for an aircraft nacelle (100) may comprise a perforated first skin (220), a second skin (230), and a core (210) sandwiched between them. A camera system (330) may scan a perforation pattern of a damaged portion (311) of the perforated first skin (220). The damaged portion (311) of the perforated first skin (220) may be removed. A replacement patch (660) may be formed. A CNC machine (450) may drill the replacement patch (660) according to the perforation pattern. The perforations (425) in the replacement patch (660) may be aligned with perforations (325) in the perforated first skin.

A method for repair of a damaged stiffened panel of isogrid type, wherein the repair method comprises a step of removal of material with the aim of removing at least one damaged rib and also steps of fitting at least one structural reinforcement connecting at least two nodes positioned about the damaged zone and of at least one wall reinforcement connecting the wall of the stiffened panel and the structural reinforcement.

A method for repair of a damaged stiffened panel of isogrid type, wherein the repair method comprises a step of removal of material with the aim of removing at least one damaged rib and also steps of fitting at least one structural reinforcement connecting at least two nodes positioned about the damaged zone and of at least one wall reinforcement connecting the wall of the stiffened panel and the structural reinforcement.

A ceramic matrix composite member including a ceramic matrix composite reinforced by ceramic fiber, includes a body portion and a joint portion joined integrally to the body portion, the joint portion occupying a part of a surface of the ceramic matrix composite member, wherein the body portion includes at least one hole extending toward an inside of the body portion from a boundary surface between the body portion and the joint portion, and the at least one hole is filled with a matrix of the ceramic matrix composite, wherein the body portion includes a first region where a density of the ceramic fiber is relatively high and a second region where the density of the ceramic fiber is lower than that in the first region, and wherein the at least one hole exists so as to cut off a part of bundles of the ceramic fiber in the second region.

A ceramic matrix composite member including a ceramic matrix composite reinforced by ceramic fiber, includes a body portion and a joint portion joined integrally to the body portion, the joint portion occupying a part of a surface of the ceramic matrix composite member, wherein the body portion includes at least one hole extending toward an inside of the body portion from a boundary surface between the body portion and the joint portion, and the at least one hole is filled with a matrix of the ceramic matrix composite, wherein the body portion includes a first region where a density of the ceramic fiber is relatively high and a second region where the density of the ceramic fiber is lower than that in the first region, and wherein the at least one hole exists so as to cut off a part of bundles of the ceramic fiber in the second region.

Methods and apparatus for performing repair operations using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A UAV carries a repair patch ensemble containing all repair materials (including a repair patch, a heating blanket and other ensemble materials) in a prepackaged form to the repair area. During flight of the UAV, the repair patch is vacuum adhered to the heating blanket. Vacuum pressure is also used to hold the repair patch ensemble in position on the composite surface of the structure. Then the hot bond process is enacted to bond the repair patch to the repair area. In accordance with one embodiment, the hot bond process involves heating the repair patch to adhesively bond the repair patch while applying vacuum pressure to consolidate the composite material. Then the repair patch is released from the ensemble and residual ensemble materials (heating blanket, bleeder material, and release films) are removed by the UAV.

Methods and systems for characterizing holes in a combustor liner of a gas turbine engine, and associated repair methods are provided. One method comprises receiving first measured data of the combustor liner in an uncoated state. The method includes determining a first location and a first orientation of a first hole and a first location and a first orientation of a second hole in the combustor liner using the first measured data. The method includes receiving second measured data of the combustor liner in a coated state where the second hole is at least partially obstructed by a coating and the first hole is substantially unobstructed by the coating. The method includes inferring a second location of the second hole of the combustor liner in the coated state using a known spacing between the first location of the first hole and the first location of the second hole. The characterization of the holes may be used to re-drill the obstructed second hole.

Methods and systems for characterizing holes in a combustor liner of a gas turbine engine, and associated repair methods are provided. One method comprises receiving first measured data of the combustor liner in an uncoated state. The method includes determining a first location and a first orientation of a first hole and a first location and a first orientation of a second hole in the combustor liner using the first measured data. The method includes receiving second measured data of the combustor liner in a coated state where the second hole is at least partially obstructed by a coating and the first hole is substantially unobstructed by the coating. The method includes inferring a second location of the second hole of the combustor liner in the coated state using a known spacing between the first location of the first hole and the first location of the second hole. The characterization of the holes may be used to re-drill the obstructed second hole.

Disclosed herein is a duplicator assembly for forming a first void, which can be layered, in a laminated material of a part that matches a second void in a scarf repair guide. The duplicator assembly comprises an arm that comprises a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is spaced apart from the second end portion. The duplication assembly also comprises a probe that is fixed to the first end portion of the arm and configured to trace the second void in the scarf repair guide. The duplication assembly further comprises a milling tool that is fixed to the second end portion of the arm such that the milling tool is co-movably coupled with the probe via the arm.

A method is provided during which a composite preform is provided that includes an electric heater, fiber-reinforcement and thermoset material. The composite preform is consolidated to provide a composite aircraft component. The consolidating includes heating the thermoset material using the electric heater to cure the thermoset material. The electric heater and the fiber-reinforcement are embedded within the cured thermoset material. The electric heater is configured as a part of a thermal anti-icing system for melting and/or preventing ice accumulation on an exterior surface of the composite aircraft component.