Abstract: In a process for fabricating large structures, a composite material panel is continuously pultruded in a pultrusion die assembly and cut transversely to the process direction to provide panel sections. The panel sections can be sufficiently long to extend from one end to an opposite end of the structure. The panel sections are assembled with a joint along adjacent edges using steel-to-composite and composite-to-composite joining technology. The joints can be integrated into the panel longitudinal edges, or separate joint assemblies can be fabricated. In this manner, fewer joints are required. A variety of in-plane and out-of-plane joint assemblies are provided.

Abstract: A pultrusion die is usually fashioned of multiple pieces. One or more die components, and possibly all die components, can be formed by facing less precisely machined and finished tooling materials with highly polished sheet metal. Other possible die components can be formed from conventionally machined and polished steel surfaces. The surfaces that will form the inside of the die are highly polished. The components are fastened together in a pattern that will assure uniform pressure and good heat transfer among the components. The entrance and exit orifices are optionally provided with beveled edges to improve entrance of materials into and release of the finished product from the die.

Abstract: A damage-resistant structure suitable for ship's stanchions and other tube and post applications that are susceptible to permanent bending deformation from impacts or overloads is revealed. Multiple stiff, strong, axially oriented high aspect ratio reinforcements, in the form of fibers and/or prefabricated composite or metal parts, are arranged parallel to the main axis of the structural tube. A high strain-to-failure matrix material positions, supports and, in some cases, also encapsulates the prefabricated axial reinforcing materials. The axial reinforcements provide the required strength and stiffness properties of the overall structure, while the more resilient unreinforced or lightly reinforced high strain matrix of the global structure provides the assembly with the ability to undergo large elastic buckling.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seismic brace for both retrofit and new construction. The brace comprises a central strut of either multi-legged or homogeneous section fabricated from low strength aluminum, whose characteristics maximize the seismic energy absorption for a building installation. This central strut absorbs energy at high weight-specific levels by virtue of the hysteresis in its load-deflection relationship. In order to eliminate the possibility of buckling of the energy absorbing strut when it passes through the compression portion of a load cycle, it is surrounded by a system of spacers and an external sleeve providing very high bending rigidity at low weight. The spacers may be fabricated from low-density foams, pseudo-concrete, fibrous composites, or metals, depending upon the application. The outer sleeve may also be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending upon whether the embodiment calls for the principal bending rigidity to be provided by the spacers or sleeve.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seismic brace for both retrofit and new construction. The brace comprises a central strut of either multi-legged or homogeneous section fabricated from low strength aluminum, whose characteristics maximize the seismic energy absorption for a building installation. This central strut absorbs energy at high weight-specific levels by virtue of the hysteresis in its load-deflection relationship. In order to eliminate the possibility of buckling of the energy absorbing strut when it passes through the compression portion of a load cycle, it is surrounded by a system of spacers and an external sleeve providing very high bending rigidity at low weight. The spacers may be fabricated from low-density foams, pseudo-concrete, fibrous composites, or metals, depending upon the application. The outer sleeve may also be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending upon whether the embodiment calls for the principal bending rigidity to be provided by the spacers or sleeve.

Abstract: A hatch or door system secures and seals an opening in a surrounding structure, such as a horizontal or vertical surface of a marine vessel. A panel having at least two straight edges is rotatably mountable to the surrounding surface. An operating mechanism is mounted on the surrounding structure, rather than on the panel, to retain the panel in the closed position. The operating mechanism includes dogging members configured to apply a force along at least a portion extending continuously along each of the two straight edges when in a panel-securing position. A gasketing mechanism is included to seal the panel in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of lattice fins for fluid-born bodies is provided. In one embodiment, lattice fins having a metallic cell structure are manufactured from strips or sheets of metal. In another embodiment, composite lattice fins are manufactured from a log assembly of elongated mandrels covered with a fiber reinforced composite material. After curing, individual fins are sliced from the log assembly. Upon removal of the mandrels, a cell structure is obtained. Combinations of the two embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seismic brace for both retrofit and new construction. The brace comprises a central strut of either multi-legged or homogeneous section fabricated from low strength aluminum, whose characteristics maximize the seismic energy absorption for a building installation. This central strut absorbs energy at high weight-specific levels by virtue of the hysteresis in its load-deflection relationship. In order to eliminate the possibility of buckling of the energy absorbing strut when it passes through the compression portion of a load cycle, it is surrounded by a system of spacers and an external sleeve providing very high bending rigidity at low weight. The spacers may be fabricated from low-density foams, pseudo-concrete, fibrous composites, or metals, depending upon the application. The outer sleeve may also be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending upon whether the embodiment calls for the principal bending rigidity to be provided by the spacers or sleeve.

Abstract: A damage-resistant structure suitable for ship's stanchions and other tube and post applications that are susceptible to permanent bending deformation from impacts or overloads is revealed. Multiple stiff, strong, axially oriented high aspect ratio reinforcements, in the form of fibers and/or prefabricated composite or metal parts, are arranged parallel to the main axis of the structural tube. A high strain-to-failure matrix material positions, supports and, in some cases, also encapsulates the prefabricated axial reinforcing materials. The axial reinforcements provide the required strength and stiffness properties of the overall structure, while the more resilient unreinforced or lightly reinforced high strain matrix of the global structure provides the assembly with the ability to undergo large elastic buckling.

Abstract: An energy absorbing seismic brace for both retrofit and new construction. The brace comprises a central strut of either multi-legged or homogeneous section fabricated from low strength aluminum, whose characteristics maximize the seismic energy absorption for a building installation. This central strut absorbs energy at high weight-specific levels by virtue of the hysteresis in its load-deflection relationship. In order to eliminate the possibility of buckling of the energy absorbing strut when it passes through the compression portion of a load cycle, it is surrounded by a system of spacers and an external sleeve providing very high bending rigidity at low weight. The spacers may be fabricated from low-density foams, pseudo-concrete, fibrous composites, or metals, depending upon the application. The outer sleeve may also be fabricated from a variety of materials, depending upon whether the embodiment calls for the principal bending rigidity to be provided by the spacers or sleeve.

Abstract: A pultrusion die is usually fashioned of multiple pieces. One or more die components, and possibly all die components, can be formed by facing less precisely machined and finished tooling materials with highly polished sheet metal. Other possible die components can be formed from conventionally machined and polished steel surfaces. The surfaces that will form the inside of the die are highly polished. The components are fastened together in a pattern that will assure uniform pressure and good heat transfer among the components. The entrance and exit orifices are optionally provided with beveled edges to improve entrance of materials into and release of the finished product from the die.

Abstract: Energy-absorbing utility poles and replacement components comprising a composite material laminate are provided. In one embodiment, the poles of the present invention are designed to bring an impacting vehicle to a controlled stop. It is intended that the products of the presently claimed invention be formed using a pultrusion process that results in a pole having low to moderate diametric crush strength, so as to initiate a flattening and then folding response as the vehicle encounter, the pole. One of the critical features of the present invention is the provision of a socket/slip joint enabling connection of a composite lower section with a wooden upper section such that the connection securely joins the two elements during ordinary conditions, but releases when either the upper or lower element experiences force greater than a predetermined value, as where the pole is struck by a vehicle.

Abstract: A pultrusion method produces a composite structural member having rigid elements embedded therein. The structural member may be a sandwich structure in which one or more rigid, pre-rigidized, or rigidizable composite or non-composite structural elements are introduced at regular or irregular positions within core elements. The structural member may also be formed from layers of resin-matrix fiber fabric into a structural cross-section, such as an I-beam or T-beam, with a bundle of pre-pultruded rods located at the bends or the web-flange intersection points within layers.

Abstract: Self-contained, modular building systems that create temporary structures consisting of various panels that fold compactly for shipping, but that deploy into complete building segments, such that a large surface area of panels sufficient to provide a structure of superior size as compared with like known modular structures may be efficiently stored and conveniently deployed.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for wetting fiber reinforcements with plastic or resin matrix materials. The fibers are impregnated with matrix material, associated into a tow, passed through a pultrusion die and degassed by applying a reduced pressure. The apparatus includes a pultrusion die having an elongated body having a longitudinally extending channel through which the tow is pulled, entrance and exit ports, a first, enlarged diameter cavity portion, at least one matrix material injection port for injecting matrix material under pressure into the first cavity and into the tow, and a second enlarged cavity portion having a low pressure application port for applying a pressure substantially below that of the first cavity. The apparatus may alternatively have only one enlarged cavity portion, with both injection and vacuum application ports, or alternatively, may be used with conventional wet bath equipment, where an enlarged cavity portion is used for vacuum application.