An Alternative Heat Blanket “Thermal Diffusing Apparatus”

This paper describes the evolution of the Thermal Diffusing Apparatus (TDA) (patent pending) and elaborates on the specific problems in bonded repair of complex composite structures. The use of composite materials in current and future aircraft presents both factory and field-level technicians with unique repair problems. Precise temperature control over the entire repair area is required if damaged composite aircraft structures are to be restored to mission-ready status. The TDA uniformly heats thermally complex components and is a direct replacement for conventional heat blankets, resulting in significant improvements in the repair process and better control of variations in cure temperature.