FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to heat shield systems and methods, and more particularly, to heat shield systems and methods for aircraft braking systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aircraft should complete a successful Rejected Takeoff (RTO) without allowing a sustained tire fire for a time period thereafter. In that regard, heat shields may be used to tend to prevent such a fire.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A heat shield may comprise a first layer comprising a first material, a second layer radially outward of the first layer comprising a second material, and a third layer radially outward of the second layer comprising a third material, wherein the first layer is coupled to the second layer by at least one post or at least one support extending from a radially outer surface of the first layer.

In various embodiments, the second material comprises a carbon nanotube sheet and the first material and third material comprise one of a steel or steel alloy material. The first material and third material may comprise a carbon nanotube sheet and the second material may comprise a steel or steel alloy material. The first material and third material may comprise a composite material and the second material may comprise a carbon nanotube sheet. The first material and third material may comprise a first carbon nanotube sheet comprising a first density of carbon nanotube fibers and the second material may comprise a second nanotube sheet comprising a second density of carbon nanotube fibers. The heat shield may further comprise a coating surrounding at least one of the first, second, or third layers. At least one of the first, second, or third layers may comprise a plurality of sublayers coupled together. The third layer may be coupled to the second layer by at least one post or at least one support extending from a radially inner surface of the third layer. The heat shield may comprise more than one radial structure along an axial length of the heat shield.

A brake assembly for an aircraft may comprise a heat shield comprising a first layer comprising a first material, a second layer radially outward of the first layer comprising a second material, and a third layer radially outward of the second layer comprising a third material, wherein the first layer is coupled to the second layer by at least one post or at least one support extending from a radially outer surface of the first layer.

In various embodiments, the third layer may be coupled to the second layer by at least one post or at least one support extending from a radially inner surface of the third layer. A radially inner surface of the first layer may be proximate to a brake stack and a radially outer surface of the third layer may be proximate to a wheel. The heat shield may comprise more than one radial structure along an axial length of the heat shield. The heat shield may comprise a first structure, a second structure, and a third structure, the first structure transitioning into the third structure at the second structure. The third layer may form a ramp and extend radially outward from the first structure to the third structure at the second structure.

A method of manufacturing a heat shield may comprise forming a first layer defining a cylindrical inner surface, forming a second layer radially outward of the first layer, forming a third layer radially outward of the second layer, coupling a radially outer surface of the first layer to a radially inner surface of the second layer by at least one post or at least one support extending from a radially outer surface of the first layer, and coupling a radially outer surface of the second layer to a radially inner surface of the third layer.

In various embodiments, coupling the radially outer surface of the second layer to the radially inner surface of the third layer comprises coupling the third layer to the second layer by at least one post or at least one support extending from the radially inner surface of the third layer. At least one of the first layer, second layer, and third layers comprises a carbon nanotube sheet. At least one of the first, second, or third layer comprises a plurality of sublayers coupled together. The method may further comprise applying a coating to at least one of the first, second, or third layers.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

