US 12,258,118 B2
Thermal protection systems and methods for vehicles moving through a free stream of air
Andrew R. Tucker, Glendale, MO (US); and David Conradi, St. Louis, MO (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed on Feb. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/166,079.
Prior Publication US 2024/0262487 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. B64C 1/40 (2006.01); B32B 3/12 (2006.01); B32B 3/26 (2006.01); B32B 5/18 (2006.01); B32B 7/12 (2006.01); B32B 15/04 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 1/40 (2013.01) [B32B 3/12 (2013.01); B32B 3/266 (2013.01); B32B 5/18 (2013.01); B32B 7/12 (2013.01); B32B 15/046 (2013.01); B32B 2262/105 (2013.01); B32B 2266/057 (2016.11); B32B 2266/06 (2013.01); B32B 2307/304 (2013.01); B32B 2307/732 (2013.01); B32B 2605/18 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thermal protection system for a vehicle moving with velocity through a free stream of air, the thermal protection system comprising:
a substrate layer having coolant feed holes through which coolant can pass;
an insulation layer bonded to the substrate layer and covering the coolant feed holes of the substrate layer; and
a honeycomb layer including (i) a first major surface bonded to the insulation layer, (ii) a second major surface opposite the first major surface and exposed to the free stream of air, and (iii) a cell structure that shifts a thermal boundary interface from between the insulation layer and the first major surface of the honeycomb layer to the second major surface of the honeycomb layer such that surface cooling of the insulation layer and the substrate layer is provided by coolant passing through the coolant feed holes of the substrate layer into the insulation layer as the vehicle moves with velocity through the free stream of air.