Contouring pile-brush seals
Variety of shapes are produced by simple flat machining. Freeze-cut method is cost-efficient by eliminating necessity to cut brushes individually.
Norwood, L. B.↗
Engineering topics
Norwood, L. B.
Publications and source records attributed to Norwood, L. B..
Low-cost fabrication and installation of ablative heat shields for the space shuttle orbiter.
Description of the formulation and evaluation of low-density elastomeric ablative compounds and low-cost techniques for fabricating and installing ablative panels being considered for the Space Shuttle orbiter's thermal protection system. Sixteen large panels, both flat and contoured, were successfully fabricated and time-studied to develop and refine tooling and manufacturing methods and to establish a realistic baseline for estimating costs. Six of the panels were bonded to a DC-3 airframe. The work included a detailed estimate of fabrication and installation costs.
Norwood, L. B.↗
Low-cost fabrication and direct bond installation of flat, single-curvature and compound-curvature ablative heat shield panels
Procedures for low cost fabrication and direct bond installation of flat, single curved, and compound curvature ablative heat shields on a DC-3 aircraft are discussed. The panel sizes and attachment locations are identified. In addition to the bonding of the four contoured panels, two flat panels were bonded to the nearly flat, lower surface of the center wing section. The detailed requirements and objectives of the investigation are described.
Norwood, L. B.↗
Study of low-cost fabrication of ablative heat shields
The major objectives were accomplished in three tasks: (1) modification of the ablative material composition for ease of fabrication as well as thermal and mechanical performance; (2) scaled-up, simplified, manufacturing techniques which resulted in cost reductions; and (3) the identification of a significant design problem caused by the differential pressure buildup imposed on mechanically attached ablative heat shield panels during launch.
Norwood, L. B.↗
System remotely inspects, measures, and records internal irregularities in piping
Video electromechanical probe visually inspects and measures internal offset and peaking of welds in relatively large piping. Irregularity dimensions are recorded on peripheral equipment consisting of video tape and X-Y plotter. The probe is used for inspection of vacuum-jacketed liquid lines that cannot be inspected externally.
Burry, F. H.↗