Joining A Plurality Of Superposed Fibrous Or Textile Layers Patents (Class 264/258)
  • Patent number: 11964439
    Abstract: A reinforcement structure includes an adherend, such as a metal plate, and a reinforcement sheet adhering thereto. The reinforcement sheet includes a front layer containing a plurality of fibers, a core material layer, and an adhesive layer. The reinforcement structure is capable of intensively reinforcing a first corner portion of the adherend and obtaining an improvement in strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fuke, Masatsugu Koso
  • Patent number: 11945147
    Abstract: A vehicle interior and exterior member comprises a fiber molded body and a synthetic resin member fixed to a surface of the fiber molded body. The fiber molded body has a fiber layer including thermoplastic synthetic resin as a base material layer. The base material layer has fiber layer surfaces on its both surfaces or, the base material layer has another fiber layer including the other type of thermoplastic synthetic resin on one of the fiber layer surface to form a fiber laminated body. The fiber molded body is formed by molding the fiber laminated body into a three-dimensional face shape. The synthetic resin member has a fixed portion which is fixed to the fiber molded body by solidifying it in a state that molten synthetic resin has seeped into the fiber layer of the fiber laminated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Howa Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayo Netsu, Yohei Sone, Masaki Namie
  • Patent number: 11933498
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing of aerospace structures are disclosed. More specifically, methods of manufacturing relatively lightweight yet strong aerospace structures. In one embodiment, the method includes the addition of a volume of a rigid and flexible polyurethane mixture into a mold to create a composite structure. In one aspect, the method includes the integration of special structures within a larger structure to remove traditionally structurally weak or vulnerable areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Venture Aerospace, LLC
    Inventors: Vaughan Lennox Clift, Sasha Mela
  • Patent number: 11884378
    Abstract: A multi-layer braided article and a method of making the multi-layer braided article. The multi-layer braided article includes a braid extending along a first axis, wherein the braid is folded over itself to form a first layer and a second layer; and a wrapper laid over the first layer of the braid and extending circumferentially around the first axis, wherein the wrapper defines an edge of the first layer about which the braid is folded. The multi-layer braided article may form part of a blade for an aircraft. A sleeve may be provided around a conical portion of the article to connect the article to something else, such as a propeller hub, where the multi-layer braided article is formed as part of a blade. The sleeve may provide a primary or secondary load path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: RATIER-FIGEAC SAS
    Inventors: Bruno Seminel, Pascal Amat, Arnaud Andrzejewski
  • Patent number: 11865790
    Abstract: A method involves heating fiber-reinforced semi-finished products of differing wall thickness to a required temperature above the glass transition range or the matrix melting temperature of a plastic matrix of the semi-finished product to be heated. In a first step, the semi-finished product to be heated is heated by thermal conduction to below the glass transition range or the matrix melting temperature. In a further step, the remaining amount of heat for reaching the required temperature above the glass transition range or the matrix melting temperature is introduced by thermal radiation or thermal convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ENGEL AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Wuschko, Paul Zwicklhuber
  • Patent number: 11858583
    Abstract: A bicycle subassembly includes a bicycle component having a socket and a tube having a first tube portion received in the socket and a second tube portion extending outwardly from the socket. The tube includes a cold worked region spanning at least a portion of the first tube portion and at least a first portion of the second tube portion. The tube includes a non-cold worked region spanning at least a second portion of the second tube portion. Methods for making the tube and subassembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas, Josh Lau, Sarah Blakeslee
  • Patent number: 11859386
    Abstract: A structural assembly utilizing a reinforced concrete support element with a flexibly-braided reinforcement sleeve and a cable system for building structures. The reinforced concrete BMASS element has an approximately cylindrical shape and includes a substantially solid concrete core. An outer reinforcement sleeve with a flexible multi-axially braided configuration is embedded on the perimeter, and an inner reinforcement sleeve is embedded within the outer sleeve. A cable tension system connected between the ends of the BMASS element transmits tensile force from the cable to the BMASS element. The structural assembly can be configured as a beam or a column. In a beam configuration, the tensioned cable can also provide beam curvature and greater strength. A multi-cable embodiment includes a second cable, providing additional strength and greater ability to control curvature. One or more of the braces may include an adjustable arm. The tension may be adjusted manually, or remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Raymond Alan Low
  • Patent number: 11821586
    Abstract: This manufacturing method is a manufacturing method of a high-pressure tank that is formed by joining dome-shaped side end members to both ends of a cylindrical tube member and that has a first reinforcing layer made of fiber-reinforced resin. The manufacturing method has a joining step of joining the side end members to both ends of the tube member such that an outer wall surface of the tube member and an inner wall surface of each side end member face each other. In the joining step, a margin for overlap between each side end member and the tube member in an axial direction of the tube member is within a range of 5% or more to 35% or less relative to the inside diameter of the tube member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Otsubo
  • Patent number: 11813812
    Abstract: A manufacturing method is disclosed herein. The method includes arranging a preform with a plurality of clamping assemblies, the plurality of clamping assemblies disposed along ends of the preform; and forming the preform into a shaped body, the forming including: incrementally tensioning the preform around a surface of an inner mold line using the plurality of clamping assemblies; and drawing the preform into a set of forming beads of the inner mold line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Luby R. Weaver, Katherine E. Waugh, Christopher C. Koroly, Anthony H. Becher, Vijay V. Pujar
  • Patent number: 11813602
    Abstract: A method of assembling and/or operating apparatus for undertaking a chemical reaction. The apparatus includes a housing in which a precursor of a receptacle is arranged. A fluid (F1) may be introduced into said precursor to cause the precursor to inflate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: INNOSPEC LIMITED
    Inventors: Carl Waterson, Richard David Hayton, Ian Malcolm McRobbie
  • Patent number: 11717991
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a mold comprising disposing a film having a textured surface on a support; where the support has a shape of an article to be manufactured; pressing the film onto the support to cover a surface of the support; disposing a backing on the film; separating the support from the backing; and molding a material in the backing. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising contacting a first mandrel with a first mold; where the first mold has a textured surface; texturing a surface of the first mandrel with the first mold; disposing the first mandrel in a die; disposing a first material in the die to contact the first mandrel; imparting a texture from the surface of the first mandrel onto the material to form a second mold; and disposing a texture from the second mold onto a second material; where the second material is different from the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SHARKLET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Van Harvey, Ryan Eugene Stoneberg
  • Patent number: 11670273
    Abstract: A sound absorption device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The sound absorption device includes a sound absorbing panel including first elements, second elements, third elements, and fourth elements arranged in different directions, wherein a cross-section of at least one of the first through fourth elements has a distorted circular shape, a distorted polygonal shape, or a distorted elliptical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Myoung-Woon Moon, O-Chang Kwon
  • Patent number: 11603276
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gripper bar body for a gripper bar in a gripper carriage arrangement in a machine for treating sheet material, the gripper bar body being configured to carry gripper brackets for movement between sheet gripping and sheet releasing positions. The gripper bar body is formed as a hollow structure comprising at least two different materials, the two different materials comprising at least a metal material and a composite material and the at least two different materials being at least partly arranged in a superposed manner. The resulting bar has a better resistance to wear than the ones of the state-of-the-art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventors: Stephane Chesaux, Jean-Claude Rebeaud
  • Patent number: 11597169
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a pickleball paddle that is formed using a plastic or composite molded material. A composite material is wrapped around a center and placed in a mold to form a paddle frame or arranged around a paddle frame. In some embodiments, additional composite material is wrapped at specific positions to tune the balance point and rebound characteristics of the finished paddle The mold is heated to cure the composite material within the mold cavity. Face shells are then added to complete the paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Indian Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Randall Simmons
  • Patent number: 11592096
    Abstract: A light-weight gear including: an annular tooth portion made of metal; a shaft extending along a central axis of the tooth portion and made of metal; and a coupling element configured to couple the shaft to the tooth portion and made of a resin, in which a joining part between the shaft and the coupling element and a joining part between the tooth portion and the coupling element are provided with irregularities configured to be engaged with one another in a circumferential direction, and corners of the irregularities are rounded to release a stress. Also, provided is a manufacturing method of a light-weight gear including: disposing the tooth portion and the shaft in a mold and injecting a molten resin into a cavity of the mold, thereby simultaneously performing injection molding of the coupling element and joining the coupling element to the tooth portion and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazutaka Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11578609
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced component for use in a gas turbine engine includes a first braided fiber sleeve forming a cooling channel and a plurality of fiber plies enclosing the first braided fiber sleeve, with the plurality of fiber plies forming first and second walls separated by the first braided fiber sleeve. The fiber-reinforced component further includes a matrix material between fibers of the braided fiber sleeve and the plurality of fiber plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Clark, Daniel J. Whitney, Kathryn S. Read, Andrew J. Lazur, William M. Barker
  • Patent number: 11548205
    Abstract: A process for post curing a composite product made from a filament winding process comprises the steps of: surrounding the composite product, that is disposed about a rotatable mandrel, with an outer jacket; and simultaneously rotating and heating the mandrel resulting in post curing of the composite product according to a process that can be referred to as being a combo-semi-centrifugal post curing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Hasan Ali Al-Hashmy, Kaamil Ur Rahman Mohamed Shibly
  • Patent number: 11541282
    Abstract: A racquet including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion is a tubular structure including inner and outer peripheral walls, each having inner and outer surfaces. The head portion of the racquet being formed of a fiber composite material. The fiber composite material includes a plurality of ply arrangements. Each includes a pair of plies defining first and second angles with respect to a composite axis. A section of the outer peripheral wall from the inner surface to the outer surface includes at least three ply arrangements overlaying each other, and the first and second angles of at least two of the at least three ply arrangements being at least 35 degrees. When the racquet is tested under a racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
  • Patent number: 11518491
    Abstract: A door arrangement for an aircraft comprising a door designed to close an aperture in an outer skin of the aircraft, and a articulated arm which is fixed by a first end to the door and which is designed to move the door in at least two translational directions and at least two rotational directions. An aircraft area with this door arrangement and an aircraft having such an aircraft area are furthermore provided. The aircraft area comprises a door aperture arranged in an outer skin of an aircraft, and a door arrangement. Here the door of the door arrangement may be designed to close the door aperture from an inside of the outer skin, and the articulated arm of the door arrangement may be fixed to the aircraft area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Linde, Matthias Hegenbart
  • Patent number: 11485096
    Abstract: A composite manufacturing system and method are provided. The composite manufacturing system comprises a press and a bladder. The press has an upper portion having a desired shape for a composite structure and a lower portion configured to receive layers of composite material. The bladder is associated with the upper portion of the press and is configured to reach a superplastic state when heated such that the bladder forms to the composite structure by applying heat and pressure to the layers of composite material. The bladder cools without appreciable shrinkage, applying a desired amount of pressure to the composite structure during the entire cooling cycle. Once one composite structure is formed using the bladder, the bladder may be reused to form similar structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Shewchuk, Justin Joseph Schell, Michael Palmore Matlack, Ravi Verma
  • Patent number: 11479002
    Abstract: An assembly for forming a gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a layup tool including a main body extending along a longitudinal axis and a flange extending radially from the main body, the flange defining an edge face slopes towards the main body to an axial face. At least one compression tool has a tool body having a first tool section and a second tool section extending transversely from the first tool section. The first tool section is translatable along a retention member in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the edge face such that relative movement causes the second tool section to apply a first compressive force on a composite article trapped between the axial face of the flange and the second tool section. A method of forming a gas turbine engine component is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonas S. Banhos, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Michael Parkin
  • Patent number: 11458661
    Abstract: A method and assembly for forming a multi-shot panel for a vehicle including the steps of providing a mold and forming therein a main body of the panel from a first rigid material, the step of forming the main body further including forming a multi-sided recess. The rigid material is transferred to a second reconfiguration of the mold for forming thereupon at least one second softer material. The panel is then transferred to a third reconfiguration of the mold for forming the heat deflecting shield. Alternative, a two shot injection molded panel can be removed from the mold and a previously formed heat deflecting shield can be attached along edges of the main body defining the multi-sided recess. In either variant, locking features are designed into the interface geometry between the heat deflecting shield and rigid main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: U.S. Farathane Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Bland, Gregory Paul Barthlow
  • Patent number: 11407253
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rim includes placing at least one braided sleeve on a core dimensioned to define a shape of an internal wall of the rim. The method includes inserting the braided sleeves placed on the core, inside a mold that is dimensioned to define a shape of an external wall shape of the rim. The method further includes injecting a resin inside the mold to contact the mold and impregnate the sleeves and other layers with resin. The method also includes curing the resin to form the internal and external walls of the rim and obtain a cured rim having the core connected thereto. The method further includes removing the cured rim and core from the mold and melting the core to get it out of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: FALCON COMPOSITES CORP.
    Inventors: Alexandre D'Armancourt, Julien Brazeau-Séguin
  • Patent number: 11407187
    Abstract: A process for resin transfer molding (RTM) with injection and overflowing of a resin through one or more troughs is provided that includes the injection of resin into a plurality of injection ports feeding the one or more troughs and overflowing the resin in into a mold. The temperature and pressure are controlled as applied to the mold. The injection ports are activated for injecting the resin in any order of individually, in groups, or pairings. A resin transfer molding (RTM) system for performing the process includes a mold having a cavity. A set of injection ports feed one or more continuous channels between the cavity and a reservoir of resin. A numerical controller selectively activates the injection ports to overflow the resin into the cavity in any order of individually, in groups, or pairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Teijin Automotive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Boyer, Philippe Bonte, Marc-Philippe Toitgans
  • Patent number: 11333036
    Abstract: An article includes a ceramic matrix composite wall that defines at least a side of a passage. The ceramic wall includes a ceramic matrix composite flow turbulator that projects into the passage. The flow turbulator is formed of ceramic matrix composite. The ceramic matric composite of the wall comprises woven fibers that are dispersed in a ceramic body matrix. An airfoil and a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley
  • Patent number: 11311058
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a garment is provided that includes applying an adhesive layer to a first ply and/or a second ply in a first amount in a first zone where structural support is desired and in a second amount in a second zone where breathability is desired; arranging the first and second plies with respect to one another so that the adhesive layer is therebetween; and activating the adhesive layer to secure the first and second plies to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Abbott
  • Patent number: 11235542
    Abstract: A complex-shaped, three-dimensional fiber reinforced composite structure may be formed by using counteracting pressures applied to a structural lay-up of wetted fibers with mechanical features embedded or encapsulated therein. The mechanical features may be located on or at least partially between two or more pressurizable members, which may be internally pressurized within a mold. The mechanical features may operate as bearing plates, attachment fittings, or other structural elements. Assemblies of pressurizable members, fiber plies and mechanical features may be arranged to create complex composite structures with predefined load paths, enhanced structural capability or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: William L. Rodman
  • Patent number: 11168202
    Abstract: For a fiber compound resin composition, a melt-kneading process is performed together with a base resin 1, a dispersant, etc. without performing a pretreatment through wet dispersion for the purpose of defibration treatment and modification treatment of a fibrous filler 2. As a result, each fiber of the fibrous filler 2 is defibrated from end portions in a fiber length direction, while a dispersant component put in at the same time is more selectively adsorbed to defibrated portions 3 at the end portions defibrated and increased in surface area. As a result, hydrophobization of the defibrated portions 3 is promoted as compared to a non-defibrated portion 4, so that a difference in hydrophobicity is formed in the fiber length direction of the fibrous filler 2. Therefore, even when the fibrous filler 2 is added in large amount, a melt viscosity during molding may be lowered without reducing a strength of a molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshifumi Nagino, Masashi Hamabe, Masayoshi Imanishi
  • Patent number: 11130317
    Abstract: A hybrid underlayment including a compliant material layer and a rigid material layer affixed to the compliant material layer. The compliant material layer exhibits a compression deflection as measured according to ASTM standard D-1056-14 in the range of from about 0.14 kilogram force per square centimeter to about 1.76 kilogram force per square centimeter, and a thickness of at least about 2 millimeters. The rigid material layer exhibits a thickness of at least about 0.5 millimeters and a flexural modulus of at least about 600 MPa and flexural strength of at least about 35 MPa in both the length and width directions, both flexural modulus and flexural strength as measured according to ASTM D790-17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sean Richard Hesslewood, Hongming Dong, David Eugene Sterling, Rick E. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 11059665
    Abstract: An article manufactured in a mould and which comprises a structural composite of plastics layers, the article having a wall defining an internal space for holding contents therein; wherein, the wall is formed from at least two layers of plastics materials; wherein a first of said layers comprises a thermoplastics material and at least a second layer comprises a thermosetting resin and a fibrous layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: OMNI TANKER TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD (ACN 135 294 772)
    Inventor: William Rodgers
  • Patent number: 11034406
    Abstract: A structural element of a cycle includes at least one tubular sheath provided with an outer wall delimiting, with an inner partition, at least one cavity in which a vibration damping system is accommodated. The sheath includes at least two internal cavities, each delimited between the inner partition and the outer wall, one of the internal cavities forming a housing in which the damping system is accommodated and attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: CARDINAL CYCLING GROUP
    Inventor: Tony De La Corte
  • Patent number: 11014313
    Abstract: A processing apparatus such as a heating and/or debulking apparatus that may be used to debulk a plurality of uncured composite layers to form an article such as an aircraft component may include a plurality of interconnected smart susceptor heater blankets. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be connected in series or in parallel, and may be controlled to uniformly heat the component during formation. The plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets may be supported by a deployment system that lowers the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets toward, and raises the plurality of smart susceptor heater blankets away from, a working surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew M. Hopkins, Joshua P. Carlsen, Taylor M. Williamson, Jeff D. Eastin, Robert D. Dennis, Thomas D. Wilson, Bianca M. Moran, Kari P. Larkin, John R. Henry, Isaac K. Jacob, James M. Kestner
  • Patent number: 10994510
    Abstract: A composite structure includes a structure that contains first reinforced fibers and first resin and a laminate that is disposed on at least one surface of the structure and has a plurality of layers containing second reinforced fibers and second resin, with the structure and the laminate integrated, the first reinforced fibers being discontinuous fibers and having a thickness-wise average fiber orientation angle in a range of 5 to 60°, the second reinforced fibers being discontinuous fibers and having a thickness-wise average fiber orientation angle in a range of 0 to 5°, the structure having a density in a range of 0.01 to 1 g/cm3, the laminate having a variation in volume content of the second reinforced fibers in a range of 0 to 10%, and the composite structure having a protruding portion on a laminate's surface opposite from a laminate's surface in contact with the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Takebe, Masato Honma
  • Patent number: 10961982
    Abstract: A segmented rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a first rotor blade segment, a second rotor blade segment, at least one thermoplastic material, and an internal pressure source. The first rotor blade segment includes a first joint end. The second rotor blade segment includes a second joint end. The first and second joint ends are arranged together in an end-to-end orientation so as to form at least one scarf joint. The at least one thermoplastic material is arranged at each of the first and second joint ends. The first and second joint ends of the first and second rotor blade segments are bonded together via thermoplastic welding of the at least one thermoplastic material. The internal pressure source provides pressure to the scarf joint during the thermoplastic welding. The internal pressure source remains within the rotor blade after thermoplastic welding is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Anthony Broome, Paul Trevor Hayden
  • Patent number: 10940782
    Abstract: A vehicle bucket seat (1) has a seat face (2) and a backrest (3). The backrest (3) has a shoulder support (4) and a head support (5). The shoulder support (4) has a shoulder rest (14) and right and left shoulder flanks (24) arranged to the right and left of the shoulder rest (14) in a laterally projecting manner. The head support (5) has a headrest (15) and right and left head flanks (25) arranged to the right and left of the headrest (15) in a laterally projecting manner. Reinforcing structures (6) run from the head flanks (25) toward an attaching structure (7) on the shoulder rest (14) for fixing the vehicle bucket seat (1) on a vehicle supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: Christoph Kutscheid, Martin Kinscher, Livio Galassi
  • Patent number: 10834991
    Abstract: Described are shoes, particularly a sports shoe, having an upper, and at least one of an outer sole and a midsole connected to the upper. At least one of the outer sole and the midsole is formed of knitwear. As examples, the upper is also formed of knitwear. In the examples, the knitwear in an area of outer sole and/or the midsole and the knitwear in an area of the upper are formed as one-piece knitwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: Stefan Tamm, Carl Arnese, James Carnes
  • Patent number: 10822482
    Abstract: Provided is a composite resin composition to be used as a material for a molded article produced by a molding machine. The composite resin composition includes a main ingredient resin 1 and a fibrous filler 2, and the fiber length direction end of the fibrous filler 2 is defibrated. The length of the defibrated portion 3 is 5% or more and 50% or less of the fiber length of the entire fibrous filler 2. The fiber diameter in the defibrated portion 3 of the fibrous filler 2 is 1/1000 or more and 1/10 or less the fiber diameter in the undefibrated portion. The modulus of elasticity of the fibrous filler 2 is higher than the modulus of elasticity of the main ingredient resin 1, and the difference between these moduli of elasticity is within 20 GPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Hamabe, Toshifumi Nagino
  • Patent number: 10791779
    Abstract: A mold for casting a micro-scale structure includes an upper surface including a first cavity having a first depth. A negative pattern for an array of micro-scale structures is defined in a surface of the first cavity. The mold includes at least one second cavity having a second depth defined in the cavity outside of the negative pattern for the array of micro-scale structures. The at least one second cavity defines a negative pattern for a standoff of the micro-scale structure. A fabric retaining frame is disposed in the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: David J. Carter, Tirunelveli S. Sriram, Parshant Kumar, Clayton Morris, William W. McFarland, Eugene H. Cook, John LeBlanc, Alla Gimbel
  • Patent number: 10751956
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic products. This method comprises: preparing a fiber preform on a mold; disposing first and second flow meshes and first and second demolding cloths; sealing the fiber preform to form a vacuum system by pumping; penetrating the resin through the first peel ply via the first flow mesh and impregnates the fiber preform from bottom to top; penetrating the resin through the second peel ply via the second flow mesh and impregnates the fiber preform from top to bottom; and attaining a resin-impregnated fiber perform and finally attaining fiber-reinforced plastic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG
    Inventors: Yongming Gu, Yuan Cheng, Yichen Zheng, Guobin Sun, Shuangyin Xiao
  • Patent number: 10744602
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a suspension. In one embodiment, a method includes altering a temperature of a first suspension component and then pressing the first suspension component and a second suspension component into engagement while the temperature remains substantially altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Becker, Derek D. Beich
  • Patent number: 10688944
    Abstract: A vehicle wire harness assembly is provided that, in addition to carrying electricity to and from a vehicle closure, acts as a tether that provides structural reinforcement to the vehicle closure during a crash event. The vehicle wire harness assembly includes a wire harness having electrical wires and a sheath. The electrical wires have an electrical wire tensile strength. The wire harness includes one or more reinforcing tendons configured such that the electrical wires and the reinforcing tendon(s) have a combined tensile strength that is at least 50 percent greater than the electrical wire tensile strength. Anchors retain the wire harness to a vehicle body and a body panel closure. Each anchor has a pull-out strength of at least 50 pounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: John E Hilliker, Duane A Koehler
  • Patent number: 10677215
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade and a method of moulding a wind turbine blade tip section. The overall wind turbine blade has an elongate structure extending in a radial sense in a finished wind turbine. The blade comprises a fairing that one is supported along its length by a spar extended along the full length of the fairing from the root end to the tip. The fairing is in two parts with a main part extending from the root for most the of the longitudinal length of the blade and the tip section forming the remainder of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Blade Dynamics Limited
    Inventors: Paul Trevor Hayden, Harald Behmer
  • Patent number: 10513302
    Abstract: The described bicycle has a frame made of a composite material and defining a monocoque shell which is monolithic, entirely formed of the composite material, and includes: a rear upper portion, a head tube portion, and a rear mounting portion; and first and second side panels each extending between, and integrally formed with, at least the head tube portion at a forward end and the rear upper portion and the rear mounting portion at a rearward end. The first and second side panels are integrally interconnected along their respective top and bottom edges to form a substantially hollow shell structure at least partially enclosing a shell cavity defined between the laterally spaced apart first and second side panels. The hollow shell structure defines a rear opening between the rear upper portion and the rear mounting portion that communicates with the shell cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: INDUSTRIES RAD INC.
    Inventors: Joanne Hastie, Paolo Feraboli
  • Patent number: 10487671
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a reinforcing edge (10?) of a turbine engine blade (70) in which there is provided a blank (10) of the reinforcing edge and an indentation is imprinted in said blank so as to form a rough surface (S). A reinforcing edge (10?) obtained by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Gilles Charles Casimir Klein, Léon Tham
  • Patent number: 10434731
    Abstract: A complex-shaped, three-dimensional fiber reinforced composite structure may be formed by using counteracting pressures applied to a structural lay-up of wetted fibers with mechanical features embedded or encapsulated therein. The mechanical features may be located on or at least partially between two or more pressurizable members, which may be internally pressurized within a mold. The mechanical features may operate as bearing plates, attachment fittings, or other structural elements. Assemblies of pressurizable members, fiber plies and mechanical features may be arranged to create complex composite structures with predefined load paths, enhanced structural capability or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: VISION COMPOSITE PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: William L. Rodman
  • Patent number: 10391684
    Abstract: Cauls and methods of using cauls to produce composite articles are provided. The caul transitions from a rigid state to an elastomeric state and from an elastomeric state to a rigid state in response to a stimulus and has a reinforcement density of from 100 kg/m3 to 500 kg/m3. Methods of using cauls to produce composite articles involve positioning one or more fiber layers between a caul and a cure mold surface when the caul is in a rigid state. The fiber layers, caul, and cure mold surface may be covered with a sealed barrier and a pressure gradient may be applied. Before, after, or before and after performing the vacuum the fiber layers may be impregnated with resin. The fiber layers may be cured, which may provide a stimulus to transition the caul from a rigid to an elastomeric state, and the composite article is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Spintech, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. Margraf, Jr., Matthew C. Everhart, David E. Havens, Robert V. Graziano, Craig S. Jennings
  • Patent number: 10358206
    Abstract: A self-destruction device adapted to be installed in a propeller blade, the self-destruction device including a detector adapted to detect a release of the propeller blade, a warning mechanism adapted to send a release alarm in the event of the detector detecting release of the propeller blade, and a destruction mechanism adapted to destroy the propeller blade in the event of receiving a release alarm from the warning mechanism. An engine and an aircraft are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignees: Airbus Operations, S.L., Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Javier Toral Vázquez, Diego Folch Cortes, Esteban Martino González, Pablo Goya Abaurrea, Vasillis Votsios, Michel Fouinnetau, Sylvain Roumegas
  • Patent number: 10245793
    Abstract: For forming profile elements, in particular trapezoidal or ?-shaped profile elements, from a multilayer stacking of pre-impregnated fibers, the stacking is moved in feed direction with feed speed by sets of conveyor belts which engage with the upper and lower surfaces of the lateral edge sections of the stacking and hold the edge sections in a starting plane. The sets of conveyor belts are arranged so that the distance between the sets engaging with opposite edge sections decreases in feed direction. To conduct the forming step a middle portion of the stacking is moved over a ramp upwardly inclined in feed direction with respect to the starting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Tassilo Witte, Hannes Winter
  • Patent number: 10213954
    Abstract: A method includes the step placing composite laminate material onto a three dimensional forming tool with an external surface and at least four junctures associated with the external surface. Each juncture is positioned between two adjacent planar surfaces in which each of the two adjacent surfaces extend in a different plane, the junctures converge and each juncture defines a line of direction. The three dimensional forming tool arranged in a two dimensional pattern, has the lines of direction and the two adjacent planar surfaces positioned on opposing sides of each of the at least four junctures are all positioned in a common plane. The line of direction of each of the at least four junctures in the two dimensional pattern converge to a common point. At least one line of direction is not in alignment beyond the common point with another line of direction. Tool apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Stanley Warren Stawski
  • Patent number: 10213994
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for manufacturing a spar cap for a wind turbine rotor blade may generally include stacking a plurality of plates together to form a plate assembly, wherein each of the plates is formed from a fiber-reinforced composite including a plurality of fibers surrounded by a thermoplastic resin material. The method may also include positioning the plate assembly relative to a mold defining a mold surface, wherein the mold surface is shaped so as to correspond to at least one blade parameter of the wind turbine rotor blade. In addition, the method may include applying pressure to the plate assembly via the mold such that at least a portion of the plate assembly conforms to the shape of the mold surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Robert Tobin, Christopher Daniel Caruso, Aaron A. Yarbrough, Daniel Alan Hynum