US4436569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for forming a protective cover for aircraft having conical radomes
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1981-09-21
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Granted: 1984-03-13
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Expires: 2001-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A rain erosion resistant protective covering for aircraft having pointed or conical radomes and method of forming the protective covering. The protective covering is a layered material of polyurethane, contact adhesive, and polyethylene which is formed into the desired shape by precutting the material to the shape of the radome, placing the material in a mold, heating the material, and drawing a vacuum between the mold and material to draw the material into the shape of the mold, thus producing a cover having the shape of the mold.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold H. Somerfleck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:03
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C49/00; B29C49/02; B29C49/06905; B29C49/0691; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/42; H01Q1/422; B29C2791/00; B29C2791/004; B29C2791/006; B29K; B29K2023/00; B29K2023/04; B29K2023/06; B29K2075/00; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/34; B29L2031/3456; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1036; Y10T156/1038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of forming a protective covering for pointed radomes on aircraft, comprising: forming a sheet of layered polyurethane, adhesive and polyethylene into a cone having an overlapping portion; placing the conically formed sheet around a conically shaped male form with the polyethylene facing inwardly; removing the polyethylene at the overlapping portion and bonding the polyurethane; placing the male form with the conically formed sheet therearound into a female mold having a shape corresponding to the desired shape for aircraft radomes; heating the female mold; reducing the pressure in the female mold to draw the sheet of layered material into the shape thereof; cooling the mold while still under reduced pressure; removing the formed protective covering from the female mold; and removing the inwardly facing sheet of polyethylene to expose the adhesive prior to applicaion to a radome.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of forming a protective covering for pointed radomes on aircraft, comprising: forming a sheet of layered polyurethane, adhesive and polyethylene into a cone having an overlapping portion; placing the conically formed sheet around a conically shaped male form with the polyethylene facing inwardly; removing the polyethylene at the overlapping portion and bonding the polyurethane; placing the male form with the conically formed sheet therearound into a female mold having a shape corresponding to the desired shape for aircraft radomes; heating the female mold; reducing the pressure in the female mold to draw the sheet of layered material into the shape thereof; cooling the mold while still under reduced pressure; removing the formed protective covering from the female mold; and removing the inwardly facing sheet of polyethylene to expose the adhesive prior to applicaion to a radome.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming a protective covering for adherence to a variably contoured aircraft surface, comprising the steps of: forming a composite sheet of layered sheet material consisting of polyurethane and polyethylene sheets sandwiching a layer of adhesive therebetween; forming the composite sheet about a male form with the polyethylene facing inwardly; placing the male form with the composite sheet thereabout into a female mold having a shape contour corresponding to the aircraft surface to be covered; heating the female mold and drawing a vacuum thereon for causing the composite sheet to conform thereto; cooling the mold, releasing the vacuum, and removing the formed protective covering; and, removing the inwardly facing polyethylene sheet to expose the adhesive for fitting over an aircraft surface to provide a protective covering therefor.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of forming a protective covering for adherence to a variably contoured aircraft surface, comprising the steps of: forming a composite sheet of layered sheet material consisting of polyurethane and polyethylene sheets sandwiching a layer of adhesive therebetween; forming the composite sheet about a male form with the polyethylene facing inwardly; placing the male form with the composite sheet thereabout into a female mold having a shape contour corresponding to the aircraft surface to be covered; heating the female mold and drawing a vacuum thereon for causing the composite sheet to conform thereto; cooling the mold, releasing the vacuum, and removing the formed protective covering; and, removing the inwardly facing polyethylene sheet to expose the adhesive for fitting over an aircraft surface to provide a protective covering therefor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-13 | 1987-09-12 | 1988-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-13 | 1991-09-12 | 1992-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-13 | 1995-09-12 | 1996-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |