Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing, by welding, a link between an element made from any material, for example metal, and an element made from a thermoplastic-matrix composite material, the second element being produced by depositing a textile yarn pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic material on the surface of the first element. The method mainly includes an operation consisting of producing an interface coating consisting of an epoxy resin filled with a thermoplastic material powder, coating the surface of the element made from any material with same, and leaving the coating to polymerize. It next includes an operation consisting simultaneously of forming the second element and welding same to the coating deposited on the surface of the first element by locally heating the two elements, when depositing the pre-impregnated textile on the first element.

Abstract: A method and a toolset for manufacturing a metal liner for a composite vessel includes a mandrel configured in several mandrel elements forming support elements of primary parts constituting the metal liner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling pre-impregnated plies by local isolated polymerization of the assembly region (30) under the action of a radiation to which the resin of the prepreg is sensitive. The assembly method makes it possible in particular to produce very large sized gossamer structures (7) in the form of a concertina-folded tube which is deployed by injecting pressurized gas once in space then stiffened by polymerization under the effect of the same radiation. The pylon concerned (7) thus comprises two structural elements (10, 20) secured end to end while at the same time maintaining its flexibility and firmness qualities.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing, by welding, a link between an element made from any material, for example metal, and an element made from a thermoplastic-matrix composite material, the second element being produced by depositing a textile yarn pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic material on the surface of the first element. The method mainly includes an operation consisting of producing an interface coating consisting of an epoxy resin filled with a thermoplastic material powder, coating the surface of the element made from any material with same, and leaving the coating to polymerise. It next includes an operation consisting simultaneously of forming the second element and welding same to the coating deposited on the surface of the first element by locally heating the two elements, when depositing the pre-impregnated textile on the first element.

Abstract: A method and a toolset for manufacturing a metal liner for a composite vessel includes a mandrel configured in several mandrel elements forming support elements of primary parts constituting the metal liner.

Abstract: The invention relates to the stiffening of inflatably deployable structures, in particular for space use. More specifically, the invention relates to a flexible membrane for inflatably deployable structures, that comprises one layer of a composite and at least one polymer film that is permeable to visible radiation covering one of the faces of this layer, said composite being formed from a fibrous material impregnated with a composition incorporating an epoxide or epoxy/acrylate resin and a photoinitiator, and which is characterized in that the photoinitiator is an iron-arene complex salt of general formula (I): where A is an arene group, while X is a non-nucleophilic anion. Applications: manufacture of devices of the following types: radars, solar panels, reflectors, solar shields, antennas, solar mirrors or sails, intended to equip orbital vehicles or vehicles for space or planetary exploration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling pre-impregnated plies by local isolated polymerization of the assembly region (30) under the action of a radiation to which the resin of the prepreg is sensitive. The assembly method makes it possible in particular to produce very large sized gossamer structures (7) in the form of a concertina-folded tube which is deployed by injecting pressurized gas once in space then stiffened by polymerization under the effect of the same radiation. The pylon concerned (7) thus comprises two structural elements (10, 20) secured end to end while at the same time maintaining its flexibility and firmness qualities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the deployment of an inflatable structure including, in the non-deployed state, a flexible tube (12) which is folded in zigzags and fixed to one end of a plug (13) provided with a buoyant gas admission (15), the other end of the tube being closed; means (25 to 29) for controlling the change of state of the tube from the folded state (12a) to the deployed state (30), the means being arranged inside the tube (12) and consisting of a set of interconnected flexible blades (25) which are radially arranged around the strut (16) in the form of petals, in such a way that the set can be displayed along the strut; and means (28, 29) for bringing the set of petals (25) towards the plug (13) in such a way as to press the folded part (12a) of the tube, each petal (25) being applied to a series of superimposed folds (21 to 24) of the folded part of the tube.

Abstract: A multilayer wall includes Gossamer-type rigidifiable and inflatable structures, the wall including a layer of a composite material that can be rigidified by polymerisation, and is flanked, on the inside, by a gas-impermeable layer, and, on the outside, by at least one anti-adhesion and protection layer. The multilayer wall is characterised in that the external layer is partially permeable to gas and impermeable to liquid or viscous phases of the matrix of the composite material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the deployment of an inflatable structure including, in the non-deployed state, a flexible tube (12) which is folded in zigzags and fixed to one end of a plug (13) provided with a buoyant gas admission (15), the other end of the tube being closed; means (25 to 29) for controlling the change of state of the tube from the folded state (12a) to the deployed state (30), the means being arranged inside the tube (12) and consisting of a set of interconnected flexible blades (25) which are radially arranged around the strut (16) in the form of petals, in such a way that the set can be displayed along the strut; and means (28, 29) for bringing the set of petals (25) towards the plug (13) in such a way as to press the folded part (12a) of the tube, each petal (25) being applied to a series of superimposed folds (21 to 24) of the folded part of the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to the stiffening of inflatably deployable structures, in particular for space use. More specifically, the invention relates to a flexible membrane for inflatably deployable structures, that comprises one layer of a composite and at least one polymer film that is permeable to visible radiation covering one of the faces of this layer, said composite being formed from a fibrous material impregnated with a composition incorporating an epoxide or epoxy/acrylate resin and a photoinitiator, and which is characterized in that the photoinitiator is an iron-arene complex salt of general formula (I): where A is an arene group, while X is a non-nucleophilic anion. Applications; manufacture of devices of the following types: radars, solar panels, reflectors, solar shields, antennas, solar mirrors or sails, intended to equip orbital vehicles or vehicles for space or planetary exploration.

Abstract: A method for producing a high dimensional precision composite element using ionization polymerization and an element made by such method. The element includes a support panel flanked on at least one side with a skin fixed by an adhesive resin and including at least one lap of organic or mineral fibers and an organic linking matrix. The method includes placing at least one lap of fibers preimpregnated with an ionization polymerizable resin on a mold to form the skin, the mold having a predetermined shape and dimensions for the element to be produced; placing a film of an ionization polymerizable adhesive resin on the skin; placing the support panel on the film to form a skin/film/panel unit, the support panel having a predetermined thickness; compacting the skin/film/panel unit; and polymerizing the polymerizable resins during the compacting by subjecting the skin/film/panel unit to ionization.