Stay sharp, fail safe leading edge configuration for hypersonic and space access vehicles

US8844877B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Daniel E. Driemeyer · Manchester, US
• John C. Waldrop, III · Saint Peters, US
• Victor Blakemore Slaughter · Manchester, US
• Jonathan D. Embler · Tustin, US
• James P. Ledesma, JR. · Long Beach, US
• Robert D. Keeler · Stamford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 2, 2010
• Grant date: Sep 30, 2014
• Expiry date: Feb 15, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/14
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A passive non-ablating thermally protective structure body is disclosed. An improved-reliability heat pipe edge comprises a non-porous material formed into a wedge-shaped chamber, and a porous layer. The porous layer extends from interior surfaces of the non-porous material to provide capillary wicking.