Using Nitinol to Measure the Dynamic Structural Behavior of Parachutes During Inflation

Not Available Repairs to composite structural parts on aircraft require cure by temperature cycling to precise specifications. The environment is not isothermal, and standard heat blankets applied to complex shapes have non-uniform heat transfer characteristics. The presence of metallic structure contiguous to the repair area makes heat capacity effectively non-uniform as well. Consequently there is a need for practical means to provide uniform temperature cycling of such parts in field repairs. Jona proposes to address this need with a system that independently measures temperature at multiple zones in a control grid over the repair area, and applies heat as required at each grid point to follow a specified cycle. Compensation for heat transfer coefficients and heat capacity that vary with position is automatic. Objectives of Phase I are: 1. Identify other, comparably demanding field applications and determine what technologies and/or components may be transferable to the current application. 2. Determine the minimum density of grid points with which temperature uniformity can be maintained within specifications. 3. Develop alternative approaches to the conceptual design stage for comparative evaluation. 4. Compare and rate the design alternatives against specifications and select one concept for development to the prototype stage.