Abstract: A composite article includes a first segment and a second segment spaced apart form the first segment. The composite article includes continuous fibers that extend from the first segment to the second segment. The composite article also includes discontinuous fiber distributed throughout the composite article.

Abstract: A composite article includes a first segment and a second segment spaced apart form the first segment. The composite article includes continuous fibers that extend from the first segment to the second segment. The composite article also includes discontinuous fiber distributed throughout the composite article.

Abstract: A composite article includes a first segment and a second segment spaced apart form the first segment. The composite article includes continuous fibers that extend from the first segment to the second segment. The composite article also includes discontinuous fiber distributed throughout the composite article.

Abstract: A fan assembly for directing fluid flow in a hybrid radial and axial direction includes a backplate having an inner diameter portion and a substantially frusto-conical outer diameter portion positioned about a center axis (CL), a plurality of blades extending from the backplate, and an annular fan shroud positioned adjacent to the plurality of blades and configured for co-rotation therewith. The backplate, the plurality of fan blades and the fan shroud form a fan subassembly, and an overall depth of the fan subassembly is approximately 20-35% of an overall fan subassembly diameter (øD1).

Abstract: A method of making a fan (20) includes making a subassembly (48) comprising a backplate (22) and a plurality of blades (24) extending from the backplate (22), making a fan shroud (26), positioning the fan shroud (26) adjacent to the blades (24) of the subassembly (48), providing ferromagnetic particles at a first weld location, and directing electromagnetic energy toward the ferromagnetic particles at the first weld location to melt surrounding material and structurally join the fan shroud (26) and at least one of the blades (24).

Abstract: The invention provides a more durable composite fan assembly with a metal hub including a portion adapted for rotation and for engagement with a plastic body and including at least one peripheral portion offset from its plane of rotation, and a plastic body forming a plurality of air-moving blades molded in engagement with the offset peripheral portion of the metal hub. The offset peripheral portion of the metal hub can comprise a number of configurations, for example, it can comprise one or more annular portions formed adjacent the periphery of the hub, including but not limited to, a complete annulus offset from the plane of rotation of the hub periphery. The offset peripheral portion can also comprise one or more portions at the periphery of the metal hub, which are out of the plane of rotation, preferably so that at least two offset portions extend out of the plane of rotation at an acute angle of about 10.degree. to 30.degree. on one or both sides of their plane of rotation.