Abstract: There is provided a box structure for carrying load having upper and lower composite integrated sandwich panels. The panels have facesheets sandwiching one or more core portions and adjacent dense packs oriented in an axial direction. The box structure further has a plurality of spars. Each spar has a web and web attachments and has a spar length in the axial direction. The plurality of spars are connected to the panels with the web attachments located at the dense packs. The facesheets are configured to carry primarily torsion and pressure loads in shear and no significant axial loads. The dense packs are configured to carry all significant box bending in axial tension and compression loads.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for joining structural members. In one embodiment, an apparatus for joining a first member to a second member includes a first part and a second part configured to be engaged with and bonded to the first part. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first part includes a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction different than the first direction, a first recess at least proximate to the first surface, and a second recess at least proximate to the second surface. In another aspect of this embodiment, the second part includes a third surface facing a third direction, a fourth surface facing a fourth direction different than the third direction, a first protuberance at least proximate to the third surface, and a second protuberance at least proximate to the fourth surface.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for joining structural members. In one embodiment, an apparatus for joining a first member to a second member includes a first part and a second part configured to be engaged with and bonded to the first part. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first part includes a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction different than the first direction, a first recess at least proximate to the first surface, and a second recess at least proximate to the second surface. In another aspect of this embodiment, the second part includes a third surface facing a third direction, a fourth surface facing a fourth direction different than the third direction, a first protuberance at least proximate to the third surface, and a second protuberance at least proximate to the fourth surface.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for joining structural members. In one embodiment, an apparatus for joining a first member to a second member includes a first part and a second part configured to be engaged with and bonded to the first part. In one aspect of this embodiment, the first part includes a first surface facing a first direction, a second surface facing a second direction different than the first direction, a first recess at least proximate to the first surface, and a second recess at least proximate to the second surface. In another aspect of this embodiment, the second part includes a third surface facing a third direction, a fourth surface facing a fourth direction different than the third direction, a first protuberance at least proximate to the third surface, and a second protuberance at least proximate to the fourth surface.

Abstract: A wind powered system utilizes a free-flying airfoil tethered to a conveyance device such as a water ski, a skegged hull slab or a wheeled land vehicle which either defines or inherently has tracking means defining a preferred traverse vector across an underlying surface. The tractive force of the airfoil is applied at the center of lateral resistance of the conveyance device such that there is no destabilizing moment caused by the airfoil, thereby removing an artificial limit on the sail area that is imposed upon fixed mast sailing craft. A control bar provides a mount for a tether reel which enables the conveyance device, when same is a kite, to be launched from the water without requiring the assistance of a boat.

Abstract: A helical torsion spring (10) composed of unidirectional graphite fibers (26) encased in an epoxy resin matrix of rectangular cross section. The graphite fibers are longitudinally oriented relative to the core of the coil spring and can be located adjacent the inner and outer surfaces of each of the coils.

Abstract: A hinge arrangement between a lifting foil and a flap. The flap comprises a plurality of sections. Each section is mounted by one coupling restraining hinge device to the foil, the hinge device has a hinge pin that extends into a socket located in an adjacent section so that both sections are supported by the hinge. In addition, each two sections are interconnected by a shear key protruding from one section into the same socket of the adjacent section.