Abstract: A composite part is provided and includes a component, a first set of first composite plies with finite lengths and a second set of second composite plies with finite lengths. A respective end of each of the first composite plies is wrapped around the component in a clockwise wrapping direction and includes first fibers. A respective end of each of the second composite plies is wrapped around the component in a counter-clockwise wrapping direction and includes second fibers.

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 flexible composite driveshaft is formed by modifying the shape of a preliminary composite driveshaft. A fiber tape is applied to a temporary mandrel using automated fiber placement to form a preliminary composite driveshaft having a flexible shaft element with an initial geometry. The temporary mandrel from the preliminary composite driveshaft is removed and the initial geometry of the flexible shaft element is modified to form the flexible composite driveshaft having a flexible shaft element with a final geometry.

Abstract: A metallic/composite joint may comprise a composite member extending along a centerline axis and a metallic member. The composite member may comprise a cylinder having a flared end. An outer surface of the flared end may be oriented at a first angle relative to the centerline axis. An inner surface of the metallic member may be oriented at a second angle relative to the centerline axis. The inner surface of the metallic member and the outer surface of the composite member may be separated by a first gap at a first location and may be separated by a second gap at a second location. In various embodiments, the composite member may comprise a cylinder having an angled end, an inner surface of the angled end oriented at the first angle and an insert having an outer surface oriented at the second angle.

Abstract: A drive shaft extends between axial ends and has at least one portion through which an outer diameter of the drive shaft changes through an infinite number of diameters, with the at least one portion extending across at least 15% of an axial distance between the axial ends of the drive shaft. A drive shaft with a generally spiral undulation at its outer periphery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a tension member extending along a length of the belt, the tension member including a plurality of fibers bonded in a first polymer matrix, the plurality of fibers extending parallel to and discontinuous along a length of the belt and arranged with one or more lengthwise extending gaps between lengthwise adjacent fibers. A jacket substantially retains the tension member. A method of forming a tension member for an elevator system belt includes arranging a plurality of fibers into a fiber bundle. The plurality of fibers extend parallel to a length of the belt and have one or more lengthwise extending gaps between lengthwise extending fibers. The plurality of fibers is bonded to a first polymer matrix.

Abstract: An illustrative example elevator control system includes a plurality of sway sensors situated within a hoistway of the building. The sway sensors respectively include a contact surface situated to be contacted by a vertically extending elongated member of an elevator when the elongated member moves laterally in the hoistway. The sway sensors respectively provide an indication of contact between the contact surface and the elongated member. A controller receives an indication of building movement and the indications from the sway sensors. The controller determines whether at least one condition exists in the hoistway based on the indications and implements an adjustment to elevator movement control when the at least one condition exists.

Abstract: A drive shaft has a central tubular portion formed of a polymer composite with imbedded fibers. It extends between a first end and a second end. The central tubular portion has an outer peripheral surface. There is at least one ring on the outer peripheral surface of the central tubular portion. A method of repairing a composite material tube includes the steps of (a) identifying a damaged area on a composite tube, and (b) placing a patch on a surface of the tube and over the damaged area.

Abstract: A drive shaft has a tubular portion extending between axial ends and is hollow. There are deformations on the tubular portions. The deformations extend for a circumferential extent that is less than 180° about a central axis of the tubular portion.

Abstract: A composite structure may comprise a composite core comprising a composite material, and a heat resistant system coupled to the composite core comprising a binder and/or at least one of a heat dissipation material or a thermal barrier material. The heat dissipation material may comprise boron nitride, graphene, graphite, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, aluminum foil, and/or copper foil, and the thermal barrier material may comprise montmorillonite, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, silicate glass, mica powder or flake, aluminum oxide powder, titanium dioxide powder, and/or zirconium oxide powder. The binder may comprise at least one of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol copolyacetate, polyacrylamide, polyethylene glycol, polyethylenimine, polyurethane, polyester, or latex.

Abstract: A method of forming a component having grooves formed into an outer surface of a component includes the steps of applying at least one mold to an outer surface of a component preform. The mold is forced into contact with the outer surface to form a detent into the outer surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a structured panel. During this method, a cellular core is formed that comprises a corrugated ribbon configured with a plurality of baffles and a plurality of septums. Each of the septums extends longitudinally between and connected to a respective adjacent pair of the baffles. At least one element of the corrugated ribbon includes a structural reinforcement. The forming includes: feeding a ribbon of material between a first roller and a second roller, corrugating the ribbon of material with the first roller and the second roller to provide the baffles and the septums, and stamping the structural reinforcement into the element with the first roller and the second roller. The cellular core is bonded to a first skin. The cellular core is bonded to a second skin. The cellular core is vertically between the first skin and the second skin, and the first skin is configured with a plurality of perforations.

Abstract: A structured panel is provided that includes a first skin with a plurality of perforations, a second skin and a core. The core forms a plurality of cavities vertically between the first skin and the second skin. Each of the cavities is respectively fluidly coupled with one or more of the perforations. The cavities include a first cavity. An element of the core is configured with a multi-layered structure. The multi-layered structure includes a first layer and a second layer attached to the first layer. The first layer is configured with a first rib projecting into the first cavity.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a tension member extending along a length of the belt, the tension member including a plurality of fibers bonded in a first polymer matrix, the plurality of fibers extending parallel to and discontinuous along a length of the belt and arranged with one or more lengthwise extending gaps between lengthwise adjacent fibers. A jacket substantially retains the tension member. A method of forming a tension member for an elevator system belt includes arranging a plurality of fibers into a fiber bundle. The plurality of fibers extend parallel to a length of the belt and have one or more lengthwise extending gaps between lengthwise extending fibers. The plurality of fibers is bonded to a first polymer matrix.

Abstract: A drive shaft is for selectively connecting a drive input to an output. The drive shaft has a tubular portion, a first diaphragm member, and a second diaphragm member displaced axially along the shaft from the first diaphragm member. The first and second diaphragm members each are formed with two axial ends. At least one undulation extends radially of the ends. The tubular portion connects the first and second diaphragm members. The first and second diaphragm members and the tubular portion are formed of fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites. The first and second diaphragm members are connected to first and second axial ends of the tubular portion through a mechanical connection at joints. A method of forming a drive shaft is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite structure may comprise a composite core comprising a composite material, and a heat resistant system coupled to the composite core comprising a binder and/or at least one of a heat dissipation material or a thermal barrier material. The heat dissipation material may comprise boron nitride, graphene, graphite, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes, aluminum foil, and/or copper foil, and the thermal barrier material may comprise montmorillonite, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, silicate glass, mica powder or flake, aluminum oxide powder, titanium dioxide powder, and/or zirconium oxide powder. The binder may comprise at least one of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol copolyacetate, polyacrylamide, polyethylene glycol, polyethylenimine, polyurethane, polyester, or latex.

Abstract: An easily inspected shaft assembly is provided and includes a shaft, a sleeve receptive of a portion of the shaft and an optically activatable layer including first and second sections disposed on respective exterior surfaces of the shaft and the sleeve, respectively, such that the first and second sections move relative to one another as the shaft and the sleeve move relative to one another.

Abstract: A drive shaft for an aircraft according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an elongated core extending between a pair of opposed couplings, an energy absorption layer made of a composite comprising metal, the energy absorption layer disposed on the core, and a first composite ballistic layer disposed along a length of the core.

Abstract: A landing gear arrangement may comprise a first composite layer, the first composite layer having a cylindrical geometry, a metallic ring comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the metallic ring perimetrically surrounding at least a portion of the first composite layer, the inner surface being in contact with the first composite layer, a metallic connecting tab extending away from the outer surface, and a second composite layer at least partially perimetrically surrounding the metallic ring and at least partially perimetrically surrounding the first composite layer, the outer surface being in contact with the second composite layer.

Abstract: The composite tube may include a body having a longitudinal centerline axis and at least one end portion. The at least one end portion may include a plurality of segments that are angled relative to the longitudinal centerline axis and are circumferentially separated from each other by a plurality of slits. The composite tube may be implemented in a joint assembly that includes a support wedge. The support wedge may at least partially engage at least one of a radially inward surface of the at least one end portion and a radially outward surface of the at least one end portion.