An acoustic structure presenting a front surface and a back surface is provided. The acoustic structure includes a support layer comprising the back surface, a honeycomb core comprising a thickness defined between a back and a front, and a plurality of walls that define a plurality of honeycomb cells, wherein the plurality of honeycomb cells extend through the thickness of the honeycomb core opening out toward at least the front, and wherein the back of the honeycomb core is affixed to the support layer, a mesh layer affixed to the front of the honeycomb core, and a knit fabric layer affixed to the mesh layer and conforming to the front surface of the acoustic structure.

An autonomous or semi-autonomous cell for inspecting composite parts, verifying repairs made to such parts, and facilitating repairs to composite parts. The cell employs automated inspection, damage assessment, and repair systems. An industrial robot automatically attaches to a set of interchangeable inspection and repair end effectors to carry out the inspection, verification, and repair processes. The cell can be equipped with fixtures for supporting a rotorcraft blade and rotating the blade within the cell so that the robot can access the entire blade. Processes are provided for performing inspections, tracking the inspection data for parts in a database, and carrying out repairs. Over time, a software applicant can use the inspection data to train a machine learning model for recognizing damage to the composite part based on inspection images.

An autonomous or semi-autonomous cell for inspecting composite parts, verifying repairs made to such parts, and facilitating repairs to composite parts. The cell employs automated inspection, damage assessment, and repair systems. An industrial robot automatically attaches to a set of interchangeable inspection and repair end effectors to carry out the inspection, verification, and repair processes. The cell can be equipped with fixtures for supporting a rotorcraft blade and rotating the blade within the cell so that the robot can access the entire blade. Processes are provided for performing inspections, tracking the inspection data for parts in a database, and carrying out repairs. Over time, a software applicant can use the inspection data to train a machine learning model for recognizing damage to the composite part based on inspection images.

A hole plug that can be used during rework or repair of a composite fiber assembly includes various features that allow placement of a vacuum force to the surface being reworked or repaired. In some implementations, the hole plug can include a plurality of nubs positioned around a shank. The nubs can secure the hole plug to the composite fiber assembly until a cure of an adhesive. The hole plug can further include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves extending along the shank and positioned between the plurality of nubs, and can include a notch positioned circumferentially around the shank. The grooves and notch can be used as adhesive carriers that assist with dispersal of a sufficient volume of the adhesive onto other portions of the shank and the composite fiber assembly during insertion of the hole plug into a hole in the composite fiber assembly.

A hole plug that can be used during rework or repair of a composite fiber assembly includes various features that allow placement of a vacuum force to the surface being reworked or repaired. In some implementations, the hole plug can include a plurality of nubs positioned around a shank. The nubs can secure the hole plug to the composite fiber assembly until a cure of an adhesive. The hole plug can further include a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves extending along the shank and positioned between the plurality of nubs, and can include a notch positioned circumferentially around the shank. The grooves and notch can be used as adhesive carriers that assist with dispersal of a sufficient volume of the adhesive onto other portions of the shank and the composite fiber assembly during insertion of the hole plug into a hole in the composite fiber assembly.

A method of forming parts uses a forming tool having a forming surface, and an ultrasonic transducer array on the forming surface.

A method eliminates voids in the bond line and manipulates a thickness of the bond line. This method includes: applying an adhesive at a center of an area of a structure; placing a doubler on the adhesive over the area of the structure, wherein the doubler has a peripheral edge; and maintaining a negative pressure at the peripheral edge of the doubler while simultaneously maintaining a positive pressure at the doubler to purge entrapped gases and control a thickness of the bond line at the peripheral edge of the doubler.

A pressure tool for rotor blade repair including a mobile support system including a support surface, a first bladder support assembly including a first inflatable bladder fixedly mounted to the support surface, a second bladder support assembly including a second inflatable bladder pivotally mounted relative to the support surface, and an activation mechanism operatively coupled to the second bladder support assembly. The activation mechanism is operable to selectively shift the second bladder support assembly relative to the first bladder support assembly. A fluid delivery system is operable to direct a fluid into each of the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder.

A repair patch for an elastomeric element, particularly for a vehicle tire, use thereof and method for bonding a repair patch to an elastomeric element. The repair patch (1) comprises: a top layer (10), a bonding layer (30) for covering a wall (80) of the elastomeric element (40), and at least one intermediate layer (20) arranged between the bonding layer (30) and the top layer (10), wherein prior to vulcanization with the elastomeric element (40), the bonding layer (30) has a first and a second natural rubber component, wherein the first natural rubber component has a lower molecular weight Mw than the second natural rubber component, such that a mixture of the first and second natural rubber components has a bimodal molecular weight distribution.

A repair patch for an elastomeric element, particularly for a vehicle tire, use thereof and method for bonding a repair patch to an elastomeric element. The repair patch (1) comprises: a top layer (10), a bonding layer (30) for covering a wall (80) of the elastomeric element (40), and at least one intermediate layer (20) arranged between the bonding layer (30) and the top layer (10), wherein prior to vulcanization with the elastomeric element (40), the bonding layer (30) has a first and a second natural rubber component, wherein the first natural rubber component has a lower molecular weight Mw than the second natural rubber component, such that a mixture of the first and second natural rubber components has a bimodal molecular weight distribution.