초록 ▼

The present invention discloses an insulated reentry heat shield for minimizing heat transfer to a spacecraft structure or the like during atmospheric reentry. The heat shield (10) comprises an outer heat resistant layer (12) including an ablative first material backed by an inner insulating layer (

The present invention discloses an insulated reentry heat shield for minimizing heat transfer to a spacecraft structure or the like during atmospheric reentry. The heat shield (10) comprises an outer heat resistant layer (12) including an ablative first material backed by an inner insulating layer (14) including an insulating second material. The outer and inner layers (12, 14) are bonded to one another by a middle layer (16) disposed therebetween. The middle layer is formed by disposing at least one layer of a phenolic loaded third material between the outer and inner layers and heating all three layers simultaneously to remove phenolic volatiles from the middle layer. In one embodiment, the ablative first material is carbon-carbon, the insulating second material is carbon foam, and the phenolic loaded third material is carbon scrim cloth. The present invention also discloses a method for use in constructing a heat shield. The method includes the steps of preparing an outer heat resistant layer comprised of an ablative first material and attaching the outer heat resistant layer to an inner insulating layer comprised of an insulating second material. The outer heat resistant layer is attached to the inner insulating by disposing at least one layer of a phenolic loaded scrim cloth or felt material between the outer heat resistant layer and the inner insulating layer and heating the outer heat resistant layer, the layer(s) of phenolic loaded scrim cloth or felt material, and the inner insulating layer simultaneously to remove phenolic volatiles from the scrim cloth or felt material.

대표청구항 ▼

The present invention discloses an insulated reentry heat shield for minimizing heat transfer to a spacecraft structure or the like during atmospheric reentry. The heat shield (10) comprises an outer heat resistant layer (12) including an ablative first material backed by an inner insulating layer (

The present invention discloses an insulated reentry heat shield for minimizing heat transfer to a spacecraft structure or the like during atmospheric reentry. The heat shield (10) comprises an outer heat resistant layer (12) including an ablative first material backed by an inner insulating layer (14) including an insulating second material. The outer and inner layers (12, 14) are bonded to one another by a middle layer (16) disposed therebetween. The middle layer is formed by disposing at least one layer of a phenolic loaded third material between the outer and inner layers and heating all three layers simultaneously to remove phenolic volatiles from the middle layer. In one embodiment, the ablative first material is carbon-carbon, the insulating second material is carbon foam, and the phenolic loaded third material is carbon scrim cloth. The present invention also discloses a method for use in constructing a heat shield. The method includes the steps of preparing an outer heat resistant layer comprised of an ablative first material and attaching the outer heat resistant layer to an inner insulating layer comprised of an insulating second material. The outer heat resistant layer is attached to the inner insulating by disposing at least one layer of a phenolic loaded scrim cloth or felt material between the outer heat resistant layer and the inner insulating layer and heating the outer heat resistant layer, the layer(s) of phenolic loaded scrim cloth or felt material, and the inner insulating layer simultaneously to remove phenolic volatiles from the scrim cloth or felt material.