Abstract: An automated, close-loop system for controlling the autoclave cure of fiber reinforced composites uses multiple expert systems hosted on different microprocessors running concurrently to control the cure process. This qualitative process controller uses sensory feedback to determine matrix material state-of-cure and then makes control decisions and executes control commands to the autoclave to attain desired material properties. The sensory information is interpreted and translated into a qualitative cure-state description by a system known as a parser hosted on a 68000 processor. The cure state description is then analyzed by the expert system known as the thinke hosted on another 68000 processor. The control decisions are determined using symbolic logic programmed as a rule-based paradigm generated from a human expert on the cure process. Once made, these control decisions are then posted to a blackboard hosted on an 80286 processor for execution by the autoclave feedback controller.

Abstract: An air inflated bag of flexible sheet material includes a front portion which is mounted on the body or cab of a vehicle such as a tractor hitched to a semi-trailer. A rear portion of the inflated bag extends between the cab and the trailer body to provide for a smooth non-turbulentflow of air around the cab and to the side and top walls of the trailer body for significantly reducing the aerodynamic drag on the tractor-trailer vehicle. The front portion of the bag is provided with a generally horizontal inlet which is located directly above the front windshield of the cab to direct a portion of the upward flow of air over the cab into the bag and thereby effect dynamic inflation of the bag at a predetermined road speed. The bag may be collapsed to a folded condition adjacent the cab for when the tractor is being driven without a trailer, and a bottom recess is formed within the rear portion of the bag to provide for extending service lines between the cab and the trailer.

Abstract: An air inflated bag of inflexible sheet material includes a front portion which is mounted on the body or cab of a vehicle such as a tractor hitched to a semi-trailer. A rear portion of the inflated bag extends between the cab and the trailer body to provide for a smooth non-turbulent flow of air around the cab and to the side and top walls of the trailer body for significantly reducing the aerodynamic drag on the tractor-trailer vehicle. The front portion of the bag is provided with a generally horizontal inlet which is located directly above the front windshield of the cab to direct a portion of the upward flow of air over the cab into the bag and thereby effect dynamic inflation of the bag at a predetermined road speed. The bag may be collapsed to a folded condition adjacent the cab for when the tractor is being driven without a trailer, and a bottom recess is formed within the rear portion of the bag to provide for extending service lines between the cab and the trailer.