Composite Repair System will be a tool that can be used to quickly repair damaged cryotanks in assembled states while on the launch pad. Its application to the repair of thin-laminate cryotanks can easily be extended to the repair of other pre-existing cryotanks of varying thickness. Future development will expand the applications of the CRS to in-vitro repairs for more general laminates. In this vein, the CRS could be applied to the repair of a multitude of aerospace structures in addition to cryotanks. This repair technique would also be useful in repairing space habitat structures as minor space related damages are incurred into the composite structure.
CRS can be developed as a general composite repair technology, with possible application to laminates ranging from highly specialized (e.g. GTL?s BHL cryotank) to more general. In terms of general composite structures, CRS can be used to repair composite military structures including fixed and rotary wing aircraft, tanks, and missiles. The CRS technology is just as applicable to existing composite structure within the commercial market. It could also be used to repair both military and civilian space vehicles and tankage.
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