Abstract: A belt for an elevator system includes one or more tension members extending along a belt length, and a jacket at least partially encapsulating the one or more tension members. The jacket defines a traction surface configured to interface with a traction sheave of the elevator system, a back surface opposite the traction surface, and two edge surfaces extending between the traction surface and the back surface. The traction surface includes a convex shaped segment extending at least partially across the traction surface between the two edge surfaces.

Abstract: A composite drive shaft includes a web-based body defining a longitudinal axis. The web-based body has a first composite layup end section, a second composite layup end section that is opposite to the first composite layup end section, a first spiral composite element extending between the first composite end section and the second composite layup end section, and a second spiral composite element extending between the first composite end section and the second composite layup end section. The first spiral composite element and the second composite spiral element are embedded into the first composite layup end section, and the second composite layup end section. The first composite spiral element and the second composite spiral element are arranged in a bi-directional orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. The first spiral composite element and the second spiral composite element are arranged at pre-determined angles and possess a uni-directional fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composite structure.

Abstract: A testing device includes a first member to be positioned on one surface of a part to be tested. A second member to be positioned on an opposed surface of the part to be tested. One of the first and second members have an ultrasonic transmitter and the other has an ultrasonic receiver. At least one of the first and second members have at least one magnetic element and the other of the first and second member have at least one magnetic or at least one ferromagnetic metallic element such that when one of the first and second members moves along the surface of the tested part the other of the first and second members will move along an opposed surface with the one of the members.

Abstract: A method of testing a part includes placing a first member on a part to be tested. A second member is placed on an opposed surface of the part. One of the members has an ultrasonic transmitter and the other has an ultrasonic receiver. At least one of the members has at least one magnetic element and the other has at least one of a magnetic element or a ferromagnetic metallic element which is attracted to magnets. One of the members moves along the surface of the part such that magnetic attraction causes the other to move along the opposed surface of the part with the one of the members. A controller causes an ultrasonic signal to be sent from the transmitter through the part to be tested which is received by the receiver and then analyzed by an ultrasonic testing machine.

Abstract: A lavatory system includes a toilet having a front end, a back end, a top end, and a bottom end, and a tube having a first end coupled to the toilet toward the top end and a second end extending above the top end. The toilet includes a toilet bowl defined by the front end, the back end, the top end, and the bottom end, and a toilet seat coupled to the toilet bowl on the top end.

Abstract: A flexible diaphragm coupler includes a flange having a central support and a flange element extending radially outwardly from the central support. The flange element includes a rim portion having an axially facing surface. The axially facing surface includes a plurality of interlock elements. A diaphragm member is disposed between the first flange and the second flange. The diaphragm member includes a diaphragm element. The diaphragm element includes a central support element and a disc member extending radially outwardly from the central support element. The disc member includes a rim element having an axially facing surface portion including a plurality of interlock members that connect with the plurality of interlock elements.

Abstract: A rotor includes a base member including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a central opening passing through the first side and the second side. The second side includes an outer circumferential edge having a first dimension and the central opening having an inner circumferential edge having a second dimension. A plurality of blades extend outwardly from the first side. The plurality of blades extend about the central opening. A fuse element is formed in the second side and extends along one of a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The fuse element has a length that is less than the first dimension.

Abstract: A joint for a composite frame includes a first composite rod, a first shell abutting the first composite rod, a second shell abutting the first composite rod and disposed opposite the first shell relative to the first composite rod. The first and second shells are joined together such that composite rod is fixed therebetween. A method of forming joints of composite frame includes forming a composite frame by interconnecting a plurality of composite rods formed by an Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) manufacturing method around a mandrel, applying a first shell to the plurality of composite rods at a first location where composite rods are interconnected, applying a second shell at the first location opposite the first shell relative to the composite rods, and joining the first and second shells together with the composite rods at the first location disposed between the first and second shells.

Abstract: A method of forming a degassing system includes the step of forming a bundle of hollow tube membrane members by wrapping hollow tube membrane members to form the bundle at a temperature above 100° F. (38° C.). Another method of forming a degassing system includes the step of the inserting bundle into an outer canister at a temperature above 100° F. (38° C.). A fuel supply system made by these methods is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive shaft body has an axial cross-sectional shape, which includes a plurality of undulations increasing a drive shaft body diameter through an infinite number of diameters across at least 15% of an axial length between axial ends. There is at least one reinforcing belt associated with adjacent ones of the plurality of undulations. In another drive shaft, a drive shaft body has an axial cross-sectional shape which includes undulations increasing a drive shaft body diameter through an infinite number of diameters across at least 15% of an axial length between the axial ends. The undulations extend along a non-zero angle relative to a circumferential direction defined relative to a drive axis of the drive shaft, such that the undulations form a spiral with an intermediate smaller diameter spiral portion. There is at least one reinforcing belt associated with at least one of the undulations and the intermediate portion.

Abstract: A composite/metal joint includes a composite member, a metallic member, a cylindrical liner, and a fastener. The composite member has a first aperture. The metallic member is disposed adjacent to the composite member and has a second aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture. The cylindrical liner extends longitudinally from a first end to a second end. The cylindrical liner has a cylindrical outer liner surface and a longitudinally extending third aperture coaxial with the first and second apertures and defined by an inner liner surface. The cylindrical liner is disposed in the first and second apertures with the outer liner surface adjacent to aperture walls of the first and second apertures. The cylindrical liner has a plurality of grooves intersecting the outer liner surface. The fastener is disposed through the third aperture of the cylindrical liner and is configured to attach the metallic member to the composite member.

Abstract: A polymer-matrix fiber-reinforced composite structure includes a plurality of polymer composite layers having at least one polymer composite layer that includes a first polymer-matrix and a first fluorescent agent interspersed through the first polymer-matrix. Damage to the polymer composite structure results in a change in fluorescence at the point of damage. A method for detecting damage in the polymer composite structure described above including the steps of applying light having a wavelength selected to induce fluorescence in the first fluorescent agent to the polymer composite structure, detecting a detected fluorescence pattern, and comparing the detected fluorescence pattern to a predetermined normal fluorescence pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite beam structure having: an end piece, an end piece outer periphery surface, and an end piece mating end defining an end piece axial boundary, the end piece includes wedge-shaped inner locking features that are formed to project outwardly from the end piece outer periphery surface at the end piece mating end and are spaced apart from one another in the hoop direction; and a composite tube configured to surround at least a portion of the end piece mating end to form a beam joint, wedge-shaped imprints are formed through the composite tube, corresponding to the wedge-shaped inner locking features, the wedge-shaped imprints define respective composite tube wedge-shaped depression surfaces about a composite tube inner periphery and composite tube wedge-shaped boss surfaces about a composite tube outer periphery, and the wedge-shaped inner locking features of the end piece are covered by the composite tube wedge-shaped depression surfaces.

Abstract: A rotor includes a base member including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a central opening passing through the first side and the second side. The second side includes an outer circumferential edge having a first dimension and the central opening having an inner circumferential edge having a second dimension. A plurality of blades extend outwardly from the first side. The plurality of blades extend about the central opening. A fuse element is formed in the second side and extends along one of a radial direction and a circumferential direction. The fuse element has a length that is less than the first dimension.

Abstract: A drive shaft has a tubular member extending between axial ends and being hollow. The tubular member is formed of a thermoplastic matrix with embedded fibers. At least one ring member is positioned radially of the tubular member. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides assemblies, systems and characterization methods of welded joints for thermoplastic components. More particularly, the present disclosure provides assemblies, systems and characterization methods of welded joints for thermoplastic components (e.g., thermoplastic-based fiber-reinforced composites) utilizing visualization agents (e.g., pigments and/or fluorescent agents). The present disclosure provides for assemblies, systems and characterization methods of welded joints for thermoplastic components and/or thermoplastic-based composites with enhanced visualization, sufficient for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the welded interconnected areas.

Abstract: A drive shaft for transferring torque including a tubular insert extending along an axis and defining a first layer of the drive shaft including at least one straight portion and at least one undulation, wherein the tubular insert includes a first material having a first deformation temperature, and a polymeric tubular covering defining a second layer of the drive shaft surrounding the tubular insert including a second material having a deformation temperature lower than the deformation temperature of the first material, wherein the covering includes at least one straight portion adjacent to the straight portion of the tubular insert and at least one undulation adjacent to the at least one undulation of the tubular insert.

Abstract: A joint for a composite frame includes a first composite rod, a first shell abutting the first composite rod, a second shell abutting the first composite rod and disposed opposite the first shell relative to the first composite rod. The first and second shells are joined together such that composite rod is fixed therebetween. A method of forming joints of composite frame includes forming a composite frame by interconnecting a plurality of composite rods formed by an Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) manufacturing method around a mandrel, applying a first shell to the plurality of composite rods at a first location where composite rods are interconnected, applying a second shell at the first location opposite the first shell relative to the composite rods, and joining the first and second shells together with the composite rods at the first location disposed between the first and second shells.

Abstract: An active system and a computer-implemented method for reducing vibrations of seats in a vehicle is described. The system and method adjust a damping and/or a stiffness of a vibration damper based on system input signals from the vehicle or seat system. The signals include one or more of a signal associated with a user weight, a signal associated with time-dependent movement of a vehicle frame, and a signal associated with time-dependent movement of a seat back or a seat pan. The damping or the stiffness are adjusted by a closed loop control.

Abstract: A fiber de-gassing membrane includes a plurality of membrane fibers. At least one of the membrane fibers has a first stiffness. The membrane includes reinforcing fibers. The reinforcing fibers are positioned adjacent to at least one of the membrane fibers. The reinforcing fibers have a second stiffness. The second stiffness is greater than the first stiffness.