Patent ID: 10890504

Abstract:
In an example, method of inspecting a thermal protection apparatus is described. The apparatus comprises a composite wall and a thermal insulation blanket, where the thermal insulation blanket is coupled to the wall by way of a sealant disposed around, and offset from, a perimeter of the composite wall and disposed between the composite wall and the thermal insulation blanket, and where the wall, the thermal insulation blanket, and the sealant form a plenum chamber within the apparatus. The method includes pressurizing the plenum chamber with pressurized air, heating the pressurized air within the plenum chamber, and inserting a liquid crystal sheet between the wall and the thermal insulation blanket and proximate to a periphery of the sealant, where the liquid crystal sheet is configured to change color when heated pressurized air exits a gap in the apparatus and heats the liquid crystal sheet.