Abstract: The method or process described is directed at conditioning and packaging freshly chopped biomass such that it can be stored for a long period of time without spoilage and such that the packaged chopped biomass is easily transportable and its composition and other properties remain stable.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a base portion, a bonding stage arranged on the base portion and having a placement surface for placing a substrate; and one or more connecting members which connect the base portion and the bonding stage, wherein at least one of the one or more connecting members is a connecting plate that deflects following the expansion and contraction of the bonding stage in the plane direction caused by a temperature change.

Abstract: A train window structure and a train with the train window structure, the train window structure comprises a train window frame; train window glass arranged on the train window frame and internally provided with a hollow structure; and a display arranged in the hollow structure to display information on the train window glass, and information is displayed on the display in the hollow structure and is provided for passengers.

Abstract: A machine (1) and a method for thermobonding using an emission of electromagnetic waves (13), for example microwaves, to activate one or a plurality of adhesive layers located between a support and one or a plurality of layers of flexible covering, through a bed of particles (4) fluidized by a humidified gas. A multi-layer upholstery item including at least one non-permeable layer and produced in a single operation is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a package of a filter tow bale made of cellulose acetate packed with a packing material in a non-hermetic state, which can be stacked in multistage and in which tows in the same bale can be uniformly maintained. The package of the filter tow bale made of cellulose acetate is packed with the packing material in the non-hermetic state, in which the filter tow bale is tightened with the packing material in the package, the filter tow bale has a cubic shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape with 800 to 1,400 mm in length, 800 to 1,150 mm in width, and 800 to 1,100 mm in height, and a packing initial pressure between a top surface of the filter tow bale and the packing material is 6.3 kPa or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a package of a filter tow bale made of cellulose acetate packed with a packing material in a non-hermetic state, which can be stacked in multistage and in which tows in the same bale can be uniformly maintained. The package of the filter tow bale made of cellulose acetate is packed with the packing material in the non-hermetic state, in which the filter tow bale is tightened with the packing material in the package, the filter tow bale has a cubic shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape with 800 to 1,400 mm in length, 800 to 1,150 mm in width, and 800 to 1,100 mm in height, and a packing initial pressure between a top surface of the filter tow bale and the packing material is 6.3 kPa or less.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pressing a door assembly involve one or more die sections installed in a press, wherein the die sections each have a raised section that contacts and supports a recessed panel portion of a door skin of the assembly during the pressing operation to facilitate crushing of portions of a core of the door assembly that underlie the recessed panel portion of the door skin. The die sections may be made of plastic and readily changed out for different sizes or styles of doors.

Abstract: Embodiments related to press machines, including presses to extract juice from food matter contained within a cartridge. The cartridge is compressible by the press and juice can be expelled through a cartridge outlet extendible though the press region.

Abstract: An earth-boring tool for drilling a subterranean formation includes a bit body having a central axis and a cavity extending into the bit body from an outer surface thereof. A bearing element assembly may be mounted within the cavity. The bearing element assembly comprises a lower retaining member, an upper retaining member mounted over to the lower retaining member, the upper retaining member comprising an aperture formed therethrough, and a spherical bearing element disposed over the lower retaining member and extending through the aperture formed through the upper retaining member. The spherical bearing element is rotatable about three axes of rotation within the lower retaining member and the upper retaining member.

Abstract: A machine is provided including a receptacle for loading waste, a shredder, and a pusher to push waste toward the shredder. The receptacle has a constant cross-section between a waste loading opening and a communication opening with the shredder, and the pusher is a plate translatable in the receptacle, parallel to the axis along which the receptacle has the constant cross-section. The plate is dimensioned such that only an interstice exists between the plate edge wall and the walls defining the receptacle; the plate is movable between a withdrawn position able to be freed from said waste loading opening, and an end-of-travel position situated near the communication opening. The machine comprises a sealing gasket movable between a retracted position, which does not hinder the mobility of the plate in the receptacle, and a sealing position, which produces, in the end-of-travel position of the plate, sealing between the plate and the receptacle walls.

Abstract: The current invention relates to self-supporting cables that often are aerial mounted between cable fixing points (800) and where the conductors in the cables act as the bearing elements. In this type of cables, slip-page between the surfaces of different layers in the cable is undesirable. On the other hand, it must be possible to easily bend the cable, even for larger dimensions. Both these requirements are difficult to meet with the solutions from prior art. The present invention overcomes this by introducing an intermediate layer (130) in the cable (100) located between and adhered to the surfaces (112, 121) of the layers and having a frictional inner structure allowing the two surfaces (112, 121) to slip relatively each other in longitudinal direction enough so that the cable (100) can be bent but prevents the two surfaces {112, 121) from slipping in response to an inwardly directed radial pressure force (F) at the cable fixing points (800).

Abstract: A cutting mat includes two baseboards, at least one foldable sheet connecting the two baseboards and multiple back antiskid units. Each baseboard has a cutting surface formed on a front thereof and a back, wherein the two baseboards are adjacent to each other and the foldable sheet is attached to the back of each of the two baseboards for connecting the two adjacent baseboards. The foldable sheet has a pre-folding line formed thereon along an abutment between the two adjacent baseboards such that the foldable sheet is folded along the pre-folding line to make the two baseboards completely abutting each other. The multiple back antiskid units are formed by printed antiskid layers that are distributed on the back of each of the two baseboards and a back of the foldable sheet.

Abstract: A baler and method are described for forming and wrapping bales of crop material. A baler may include a baling chamber, a crop-moving device for compressing crop material into a bale within the baling chamber, a bale chute oriented outside the baling chamber, and a wrap frame supported by the bale chute. Once formed within the baling chamber, the bales may be ejected from the baling chamber to the bale chute. A sheet of wrap material may be wrapped about the wrap frame, such that a sleeve of wrap material is formed from the sheet. The bale may be moved through the wrap frame, such that the bale engages the sleeve to pull the sleeve from the wrap frame and the bale is wrapped by the sleeve.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for testing and maintaining hydraulic tools and, in particular, devices and methods for testing and maintaining hydraulic forcible entry tools that are used to forcibly open locked doors, for example, in emergency situations.

Abstract: A mold for the manufacture of plastic objects has a plurality of cavities which are formed by clamping together a plurality of individual insert straps. The insert straps each have a shape corresponding to a portion of the desired cavity and the insert straps in combination form the desired cavity The insert straps may be rearranged and straps may be added or withdrawn to provide cavities of different lengths and configurations. The mold also has a sub-ejector assembly which may be positioned to accommodate changes in the size of the individual cavities formed by the combination of insert straps The method for making a mold includes the steps of forming a mold cavity using a plurality of insert straps and then clamping the individual insert straps together.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for a leadframe includes a track defining a longitudinally extending passage through which the leadframe travels. A magnetic clamping system and a plurality of first guide magnets are provided on the track. A gripping device is provided for securing to the leadframe. At least one clamping magnet and a plurality of second guide magnets are secured to the gripping device. The first and second guide magnets cooperate to move the gripping device in a first direction along the length of the passage. The magnetic clamping system and the at least one clamping magnet cooperate to selectively move the gripping device in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between a first condition spaced from the track to a second condition magnetically fixed to the track.

Abstract: A mold clamping device for an automatic mold opening and closing machine is used to clamp or release an upper mold which has a pair of wings. The mold clamping device is provided with two pressure cylinder units located at two lateral surfaces of the mold mounting unit, two pivot units pivoted to the two pressure cylinder units, respectively, and two clamping members pivotally disposed between the pressure cylinder units and the pivot units. When the first piston is in the first position, the clamping member will be rotated an angle to disengage the inner portion from the wing of the upper mold, and when in the second position, the piston will drive the clamping member to rotate an angle in a reverse direction, so that the wing of the upper mold is clamped between the inner portion and the bottom surface of the mold mounting unit.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a display device and a method for manufacturing the display device. The apparatus for manufacturing a display device comprises a jig having a seating surface that is formed to be bent at least partly and on which a target object is seated, a gasket covering the seating surface at least partly, and a roller pressing the target object.

Abstract: A seismic isolation apparatus is provided between a structure and a foundation floor, and the seismic isolation apparatus includes: a support plate that is provided so as to face the structure at a predetermined interval; a base plate that is fixed to the foundation floor; and an elasto-plastic damper that is provided between the support plate and the base plate to be fixed to the support plate and the base plate. The elasto-plastic damper includes an inner cylinder inside which an elasto-plastic member is provided and an outer cylinder, and the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are configured to mutually slide in an axis direction thereof.

Abstract: A material handling system including a receptacle; a loading opening disposed within the receptacle; a transfer opening disposed within the receptacle in adjacent angled relation to the loading opening; and a first compaction plate rotatably coupled proximate the receptacle between the loading opening and the transfer opening. As to particular embodiments, the material handling system can further include a second compaction plate movably disposed proximate the transfer opening. Upon rotation of the first compaction plate toward the second compaction plate in an immovable condition, material disposed between the first and second compaction plates is compacted to generate compacted material. As to particular embodiments, the material handling system can further include a rotatable arm and a rotatable gripper rotatably coupled to a rotatable arm first end. As to particular embodiments, the rotatable arm can be rotatably coupled to an extendable arm which can reversibly extend laterally outward.

Abstract: A powered square baler is operable to form a bale by compressing loose material. The powered square baler broadly includes a chassis and a reciprocating plunger assembly. The chassis includes a baler frame that presents a baling chamber to receive the loose material. The reciprocating plunger assembly includes a plunger head and an energy storage device. The plunger head is slidably mounted relative to the frame and is operable to be driven by a power source to reciprocate into and out of the chamber and apply a compressive force against the loose material. The energy storage device stores energy from the power source and transmits the energy to the plunger head in response to the applied compressive force, with the transmitted energy causing an impulse force to be applied against the loose material by the plunger head.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting bulk material has a container mounted on a chassis and wheeled suspension. The container has opposing sidewalls, a floor, a front wall, and a rear opening. The trailer further has an unloading system comprising a plow and a plow motor system. The plow is disposed in the container and shaped and sized to span substantially a transverse cross-section of the container. The plow motor system is operable to move the plow longitudinally in the container to urge or push the bulk material in the container toward and out of the rear opening of the container. At least one of the sidewalls comprises a removable panel installed longitudinally along a bottom of the sidewall, wherein an inward-facing surface of the removable panel and an inward-facing surface of the sidewall are substantially coplanar.

Abstract: In a mold mounting platen for an injection molding machine, at least one of a mold mounting member and a clamping force transmission member constituting the mold mounting platen has a central bearing surface in a central portion thereof and a peripheral bearing surface outside the central bearing surface. The amount of protrusion of the central bearing surface is larger than that of the peripheral bearing surface.

Abstract: A front loading garbage truck with a unique packing blade that creates a self-cleaning garbage truck without the need for manual clean outs and construction for the accomplishment of same. The packing blade includes a top vertical portion that is in a fixed position and a second bottom vertical portion that is retractable into a horizontal position to allow for repeated pass-throughs to collect all debris prior to emptying the garbage from the truck. Additionally, a unique cab shield sits atop the cab portion that contains a plurality of holes on the sides and along the top sloping face to allow ventilation therethrough and prevent damage to the engine caused by excessive heat.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming bundles of printed products includes a lift element that moves vertically inside a holding area. The printed products are deposited on the lift element when the lift element is in an upper position. The lift moves the deposited printed products downward into the holding area so that the printed products are in position to subsequently be compressed into a bundle by pressing the printed products with an upward movement against a pressing element. The lift transports the compressed bundle to a lower position in the holding area where the lift element moves out of the holding area to a position in which the bundle is released to drop onto a support element. The lift element thereafter is moveable from the lower position to the upper position for the depositing of additional printed products. An ejection element conveys the compressed bundle out of the holding area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a surface structure (4) of a workpiece (1) in the form of a pressed sheet, endless belt, or cylindrical embossing roller using at least one water-jet device with a machining head (25). The method according to the invention allows workpiece surfaces (2) to be machined in an environmentally friendly and inexpensive manner such that the 3D topography of a surface structure of a template or of the negative of the template is reproduced. The surface (2) of the workpiece (1) is partially removed using a water jet device in the method according to the invention. Using the pressed parts machined in this manner, different materials can be pressed for example, such as particle boards with support films, wherein the 3D topography of the surface structure is reproduced on the surface of the pressed material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a press base assembly, a strengthening ring for use with press bases and related methods. In one embodiment, a press base assembly includes a press base having a body that includes a piston cavity at one end. The body, at a second end opposite that of the piston cavity, may exhibit a desired geometry. A strengthening ring may be shaped, sized and configured to substantially mate with the geometry of the second end of the body and be placed thereover. For example, the geometry of the second end may be substantially circular exhibiting a particular diameter and circumference. The strengthening ring may have substantially circular internal surface sized and configured such that the strengthening ring is positioned on the second end of the body in a manner that results in an interference fit between the two components.

Abstract: A compression-type wastebasket includes: a body which has an opened upper part and a space formed therein in order to accommodate a garbage bag; a body cover which is configured to cover the upper part of the body, wherein an opening unit for connecting the inside and the outside of the body is formed on the central part thereof, a bag fixing unit is formed along the outer girth of the opening unit to fix the girth of an inlet end portion of the garbage bag, and a gripping unit is formed on a part of the opening unit; and a compression member which has a compression surface capable of entering the opening unit in order to compress the waste contained within the body, and is configured to be gripped on the gripping unit while rotating at a predetermined angle on the basis of a compression direction in the opening unit.

Abstract: A lawn caddy for receiving and transporting waste such as grass clippings, leaves, plant vegetation and compost waste. The lawn caddy transports yard waste from one location to another without heavy lifting. It is light and durable, having a maximum weight of 10 to 12 pounds and can contain up to 40 pounds of waste or less. By filling refuge bags and transporting waste to a curb side shortens time spent in cutting and cleaning lawns.

Abstract: A pressure roller for an apparatus for compaction of empty (disposable) hollow bodies (beverage containers), particularly plastic bottles or tin cans, having at least one rotating roller that is disposed at a distance from a counter-bearing, forming a gap, has an essentially cylindrical mantle surface that possesses multiple profiled partial regions of the same type and the same width in its working region, following one another in the axial direction. These profiled partial regions are separated from one another, in each instance, by a circumferential recess. Each of these profiled partial regions—viewed axially—has multiple sections that follow one another. At least one cam-shaped projection that projects radially away from the mantle surface is disposed in one of these sections.

Abstract: The invention is a trash compacting device with a handle configured horizontally, so a person can grip the handle with the palm of their hand facing downward to maximize compression force and minimize slippage. The frame supports one or more smite plate receivers that may extends horizontally from the frame to increase the distance between center regions of two smite plates. Each smite plate receiver may extends downward at different heights to ensure that bulky trash, such as boxes, does not impede the downward movement of every smite plates. The frame may houses a telescoping tube to ensure ergonomic operations when a garbage can is less than full. Smite plates of different shapes and sizes may be attached to the smite plate receiver to further ensure more uniform compaction of trash. Smite plates and handle grips are pivotally attached to allow for portable transport and compact storage.

Abstract: System and methods for piling and compressing pieces of insulation wool. The system includes a piling tower for receiving and piling multiple pieces of insulation wool and compression plates for compressing multiple pieces of insulation wool. The system includes a first and a second compression plate having plane and smooth upper and lower surfaces, whereby the compression plate can be slid out from between two compressed pieces of insulation wool. The compression plates receive a batch between the compression plates and compress the batch by moving one compression plate towards the other. The pressure on the insulation wool does not need to be relieved after the pieces have been compressed once as the system and method makes it possible to gradually increase compression toward the bottom of the piling tower by shifting between the first and second compression plate being used for compressing a batch of pieces of insulation wool.

Abstract: Provided is a tooling system for use in an associated press comprising a lower tool shoe, an upper tool shoe, a first set of tooling plates, and a second set of tooling plates. The lower tool shoe comprises an upwardly facing surface, part of a shoe locator set defining an axis of elongation, a first locator element defining an axis of elongation, and an offset second locator element defining an axis of elongation. The upper tool shoe comprises a downwardly facing surface, part of a shoe locator set defining an axis of elongation, a first locator element defining an axis of elongation, and an offset second locator element defining an axis of elongation. The first set of tooling plates comprises a first lower tooling plate and a first upper tooling plate. The second set of tooling plates comprises a second lower tooling plate and a second upper tooling plate.

Abstract: Manufacture process scientific formula mechanically refined and nanoparticle dispersion preform slurry non ionic or electrolyte carbon nanofoam CNFs with or without ionic suspension elements manufactured, Preform slurry high wear-heat resistant parts electronic component composite coils, composite windings, drawn, annealing, spun, coils, windings, wire, woven textile mesh, shielding, brushes, inductors, antinode couplers, electric rheostats, starters, motors, alternators, generators, ionic suspension element enhanced composite coils, composite windings, drawn, annealing, spun, coils, windings, wire, woven textile mesh, shielding, brushes, capacitors, battery cells, rheostats, electronic resistors, transformers, transducers, rectifiers, power supplies, or heat sinks, Preform slurry carbon nanofoam CNFs extrusion high wear-heat resistant parts aerospace, automotive, and transportation brake calipers, rotors, pads, washers, spacers, and bushings, Preform slurry carbon nanofoam CNFs extrusion high wear-heat resis

Abstract: A manual compactor that includes an air ventilation system and also a lid that is capable of being forced downward onto trash within a trash can. The trash can has a wheel base. The air ventilation system includes an internal aerated ring with a series of vent holes, with the ring being attached to a pair of internal air channels that open to the outside air. The lid is capable of either being mounted on top of the trash can or in the alternative, can be shoved downward onto trash within the trash can. A series of serrated blades mounted on the underside of the lid are used to cut up and shred the trash within the compactor while it is being compacted.

Abstract: A caul plate system for a laminate structure includes a plurality of layers of curable caul plies disposed over a laminate structure and substantially conforming to a surface of the laminate structure. A resin is applied to the plurality of layers of caul plies. Co-curing of the plurality of layers of caul plies with the laminate structure hardens the plurality of layers of caul plies such that a normal pressure is applied to the laminate structure during cure of the laminate structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for compressing the lamination stack for a dynamoelectric machine. The apparatus includes a plurality of weight distribution plates and a plurality of pressing plates. The plurality of weight distribution plates are placed on one end of the lamination stack of the dynamoelectric machine. The plurality of pressing plates are placed on the plurality of weight distribution plates. A compressive force is applied to the lamination stack via the plurality of weight distribution plates and the plurality of pressing plates.

Abstract: A lawn caddy for receiving and transporting waste such as grass clippings, leaves, plant vegetation and compost waste. The lawn caddy transports yard waste from one location to another without heavy lifting. It is light and durable, having a maximum weight of 10 to 12 pounds and can contain up to 40 pounds of waste or less. By filling refuge bags and transporting waste to a curb side shortens time spent in cutting and cleaning lawns.

Abstract: A self-contained garbage or trash container system with an integrated removable, manual compaction device designed primarily for home or industrial use. The system includes an outer receptacle with attached hinged lid; an internal receptacle; a compaction device; and an attachment mechanism integrated into the lid and/or the compaction device as part of the system to house compaction device.

Abstract: Mechanism for controlling pressure during the adhesive thermal compression bonding provides benefits of higher production yield, improved adhesive bonding performance and quality. Springs and pneumatic pistons are utilized to provide improved pressure control during the adhesive thermal compression bonding process. All production parts have certain geometric tolerances and automatically accommodating these tolerances increases production yield by reducing waste of incompletely adhesive bonded parts. The gaps caused by the parts tolerance are closed in a controlled manner using the mechanism and the pressure is controlled for effective adhesive bonding.

Abstract: An anvil including a hard phase and a metal matrix in which the hard phase is dispersed, a concentration of the metal matrix phase varying according to a concentration gradient, is disclosed. The anvil may be used in a high pressure press. Methods of making an anvil including forming a hard phase dispersed in a metal matrix phase, a concentration of the metal matrix phase varying according to a concentration gradient, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an electric press for the compression of tobacco cut filler provided with at least one electric motor (1) and a control unit (2) driving a movable compressing element (3) by means of a drive train (4) characterised in that the compressing element (3) of the piston rod has an openwork design and is driven while keeping controllable driving torque.

Abstract: Various systems for compressing and loading an expandable medical device into a sheath are disclosed. One system comprises an array of moveable blades radially disposed about a central axis and forming a radially contractible aperture. The blade array includes at least a first plurality of blades and a second plurality of blades. The first plurality of blades is independently moveable with respect to the second plurality of blades. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of using the various compressor systems to compress and load an expandable medical device into a sheath.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for providing a pressed beverage using a press and lid system. In one aspect, a beverage material is pressed to the bottom of a beverage container by means of a press ring including a filter. The walls of the beverage container exert a force on the press ring, folding flaps (perimeter portions) that are attached to the press ring by means of a flexible attachment member. Any beverage material or other debris that is not collected by the filter in the press ring is collected by a filter in the lid. Other variations and features consistent with the present invention exist.

Abstract: A biomass cooking device including: a treatment vessel having an biomass inlet adapted to receive biomass material to a processing chamber of the vessel, a biomass outlet adapted to discharge from the processing chamber the biomass material processed in the vessel, an extraction region of the vessel and a liquids outlet to the extraction region to discharge dissolved hemi-cellulosic material extracted from the biomass material in the processing chamber; a piston press in the cooking vessel defining a moveable wall of the processing chamber, wherein the piston press moves to reduce the processing chamber and thereby compress the biomass material; and a screen plate in the vessel forming a barrier between the processing chamber and an extraction region of the vessel, the screen plate having apertures to pass the dissolved hemi-cellulosic material through the screen plate from the processing chamber to the extraction region.

Abstract: The present invention is a garbage bin cover with compressing function which has a bin cover and a garbage compression plate. The bin cover is disposed with a through hole. The garbage compression plate is disposed with a handle which corresponds to the through hole. The bin cover is disposed at a bottom side thereof with two or more first connecting members. The garbage compression plate is disposed with two or more corresponding second connecting members. An extendable member is disposed between each of the first connecting members and the corresponding second connecting member. The extendable member comprises a first coupling rod, a second coupling rod hingedly connected with the first coupling rod, and a spring rod connected between the first coupling rod and the second coupling rod. When in use, the garbage compression plate compresses the garbage and thereby decreasing the garbage volume, and preventing the garbage from making the hand or foot dirty and the bad odor from escaping.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for compensating for such deformations as occur in operation in first and second clamping surfaces intended for a tool in a press. The clamping surfaces are reciprocally moveable towards and away from one another in order to move a first and second part of the tool towards and away from one another, and the first and second tool parts have a first and second abutment surface for abutment against the first and second clamping surfaces and the deformations cause uneven pressure in at least one contact region between the tool and the clamping surfaces. According to the present invention, there is disposed, in at least one contact region between a clamping surface and an abutment surface, a power unit which, on activation, is operative to press, away from the clamping surface located in the contact region at least a part of the abutment surface of the tool located there.

Abstract: A compactor device is provided including a cylindrical housing having an elongate channel for receiving a bottle to be compacted therein and elongate guide slots, an end cap attached to a first end of the housing for seating the bottle and protecting the neck end of the bottle, a piston slidably disposed within the channel and having a forward ram for stuffing the bottle, and a lever for actuating linear movement of the piston within the channel, whether manually or automated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressing arrangement for a cover, in particular in a laboratory thermostat, having at least: a first component disposed to exert an excitation force, a second component, in particular a plate component disposed to exert a pressing force Fz in at least one target position, a transmission device disposed for transmitting force from the first component to the second component, characterized in that the transmission device comprises a transmission component disposed to be driven by the first component and to drive the second component, and the transmission device comprises at least one elastic tensioning member disposed to be driven by the first component so as to change its tension and to drive the transmission component, and the transmission device or the transmission component causes the setting of the pressing force Fz in dependence on the target position. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for pressuring.

Abstract: A turbine blade assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the turbine blade assembly may generally include a turbine blade having a root portion and an airfoil. The airfoil may extend radially from the root portion to an airfoil tip. Additionally, the turbine blade assembly may include a composite rod extending within the turbine blade. The composite rod may include a first end coupled to the airfoil at the airfoil tip and a second end coupled to the root portion. Moreover, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite rod may be designed to be less than or equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the airfoil.