Abstract: A composite article includes a first segment and a second segment spaced apart form the first segment. The composite article includes continuous fibers that extend from the first segment to the second segment. The composite article also includes discontinuous fiber distributed throughout the composite article.

Abstract: A braided sleeve with complex geometry, including changes to the geometry along the braided sleeve's longitudinal axis are described. In particular, along a first portion of the braided sleeve's longitudinal axis, multiple tows are intertwined with each other. Along a second portion, one of tows is removed from being intertwined with the other tows and is relocated to an interior or an exterior of the braided sleeve. A third portion includes the removed tow being intertwined with the plurality of tows again. In this manner, the braided sleeve may provide coverage of preforms with varying diameters along the longitudinal axis of the preforms.

Abstract: A spacing component comprising a longitudinal axis wherein the structural spacing component may be configured to provide a boundary between a first object and a second object along its longitudinal axis is described. The structural spacing component may further comprise a restrictive layer enclosing an interior region wherein the restrictive layer may comprise a first length along the longitudinal axis and at least one second length transverse to the longitudinal axis. In examples, the restrictive layer may be formed of a plurality of braided strands. Additionally, the restrictive layer may define at least a partially enclosed interior region and may have flexural stiffness to maintain the first length as greater than the second length.

Abstract: A system and method directed to an inflatable aerial beam transported by aerial vehicles for dispensing, among others, power and fluids using the inflatable aerial beam that may be mounted between two or more aerial vehicles. The beam, may become rigid when inflated or flexible when deflated. The beams may be coupled to one or more aerial vehicles via a pivotable joint or a flexible juncture to maintain flexibility of movement of the aerial beams. The beams may include a fluid dispenser that distributes fluid to spray nozzles to dispense fluids from the inflatable beam. The fluid, chemicals, and/or power may be obtained from a remote fixed or mobile source, one or more aerial vehicles, and other types of aerial vehicles. The aerial vehicles may be controlled remotely from a fixed location or from a movable remote-control source and may include sensors for navigation and for controlling the dispensing of the fluid or power.

Abstract: Braided material with multiple braided components formed of continuous tows and connected by one or more intersections are described. Each of the multiple braided components is formed by sets of tows. Each set of tows includes a respective plurality of tows, which are substantially adjacent and parallel to each other at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the braided material. Each set of tows is further composed of multiple subsets of tows. The subsets of tows separate at the intersections and combine with different subsets of tows in adjacent components of the multiple braided components.

Abstract: A braided sleeve with complex geometry, including changes to the geometry along the braided sleeve's longitudinal axis are described. In particular, along a first portion of the braided sleeve's longitudinal axis, multiple tows are intertwined with each other. Along a second portion, one of tows is removed from being intertwined with the other tows and is relocated to an interior or an exterior of the braided sleeve. A third portion includes the removed tow being intertwined with the plurality of tows again. In this manner, the braided sleeve may provide coverage of preforms with varying diameters along the longitudinal axis of the preforms.

Abstract: A three dimensional braid includes a plurality of first plaits adjacent one another oriented in a first direction and a plurality of second plaits adjacent one another oriented in a transverse second direction intertwined forming a braid with each first plait intersecting each of the plurality of second plaits in succession. Each first plait includes a first group of tows and a second group of tows, each of the tows in the first group of tows corresponding to one of the tows in the second group of tows in pairs of first plait tows. Each second plait includes a plurality of tows. For each first plait, one of the first plait pairs crosses over a subset of second plait tows at each intersection of the first plait and successive second plaits forming a series of braid points along the first plait.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing deformable tube having a first end, a second end, and a reduced portion there between, a proximate tube portion between the reduced portion and the first end and a distal tube portion between the reduced portion and the second end, where a first cross section dimension in the reduced portion is smaller than a corresponding second cross section dimension in the proximal tube portion, distal tube portion, or both, and a cover spanning the reduced portion connected to the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion, the cover provided over at least a portion of the reduced portion, the distal tube portion or the proximal tube portion or both moves relative to the cover after the deformable tube receives an axial force exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A braiding system having a plurality of mobile carrier devices movable under its own power, each mobile carrier including a plurality of wheels, a motor driving the wheels, a power source, a controller, and a pick-up unit having a receiver. Each of the plurality of mobile carriers has a tow carrier positioned in the receiver, and each mobile carrier is simultaneously movable along a virtual track-less path predetermined for each individual carrier, such that the simultaneous movement of the mobile carrier devices along their predetermined paths form a braid.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade may include a plurality of longitudinal composite members each having a fiber and resin layer around a predetermined cross-sectional shape and each comprising at least one longitudinal outer surface and at least one longitudinal mounting surface, each of the outer surfaces of the plurality of longitudinal composite members corresponding to a different portion of a desired airfoil shape, the plurality of longitudinal composite members assembled such that the outer surfaces of the composite members form at least a majority of the airfoil shape. An outer skin may be provided. The composite members may be made up of transportable segments. A method of assembly may include transporting the segments to a desired location such as an installation site for assembly of the wind turbine blade at the installation site.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade may include a plurality of longitudinal composite members each having a fiber and resin layer around a predetermined cross-sectional shape and each comprising at least one longitudinal outer surface and at least one longitudinal mounting surface, each of the outer surfaces of the plurality of longitudinal composite members corresponding to a different portion of a desired airfoil shape, the plurality of longitudinal composite members assembled such that the outer surfaces of the composite members form at least a majority of the airfoil shape. An outer skin may be provided. The composite members may be made up of transportable segments. A method of assembly may include transporting the segments to a desired location such as an installation site for assembly of the wind turbine blade at the installation site.

Abstract: A method for applying a braided fabric over a mandrel using a braiding apparatus having a central axis and providing braiding yarns drawn toward a braiding point where a braid is formed on the mandrel, the method comprising the steps of advancing the mandrel through the braiding point of the braiding apparatus, determining a current position of the mandrel; and controlling the position of the mandrel transversely to the central axis of the braiding apparatus responsive to the current position such that a center point of a mandrel cross-section passing through the braiding apparatus is coincident with the braiding point.

Abstract: A mandrel and method of making a mandrel for use as a substrate in the manufacture of woven or braided articles. The mandrel may have an inner core of foam; at least a first layer of carbon fiber-reinforced resin, and an outer layer of glass fiber-reinforced resin. The foam core may be a high density, closed cell polyurethane foam that is formed of a desired size and shape. The fibers in the first layer and outer layer may be, for example, chopped fibers, continuous longitudinally aligned fibers, circumferentially wound fibers, obliquely aligned fibers, or the fibers may have a woven or braided pattern. Multiple mandrels may be joined together to form complex mandrel shapes such as curves, ovals, and circles.

Abstract: By the present invention method and apparatus is disclosed whereby a triaxial braided composite reinforcing fabric having axial yarns of varying length may be wrapped about a cylindrical shipping spool without deformation of the braided fabric. A tensioning device is interposed between the braiding tool and shipping or storage spool whereby the individual variable length axial yarns are subjected to constant tensioning. As the braided fabric is wound upon a cylindrical shipping spool, a conformable foam layer is interposed between each layer of braided fabric thereby permitting each axial yarn to seek out its own diameter by compressing the layer of conformable foam upon which it is wrapped.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying braid by means of a braiding machine to a mandrel, where the mandrel has a shape that approximates a wheel but has an irregularly varying radius of curvature. The machine includes drive/positioning wheel assemblies that are used to continuously reposition a cross-section of the mandrel relative to the braiding machine such that a center point of cross-section of the mandrel is maintained to be coaxial with a braiding point of the braiding machine as the mandrel 18 is rotationally advanced by the drive/positioning wheel assemblies. Repositioning of the drive/positioning wheel assemblies is controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) controller, based on information describing one or more radiuses of curvature for sections of the mandrel and a current position of the mandrel relative to the drive/positioning wheel assemblies.

Abstract: By the present invention method and apparatus is disclosed whereby a triaxial braided composite reinforcing fabric having axial yarns of varying length may be wrapped about a cylindrical shipping spool without deformation of the braided fabric. A tensioning device is interposed between the braiding tool and shipping or storage spool whereby the individual variable length axial yarns are subjected to constant tensioning. As the braided fabric is wound upon a cylindrical shipping spool, a conformable foam layer is interposed between each layer of braided fabric thereby permitting each axial yarn to seek out its own diameter by compressing the layer of conformable foam upon which it is wrapped.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying braid by means of a braiding machine to a mandrel, where the mandrel has a shape that approximates a wheel but has an irregularly varying radius of curvature. The machine includes drive/positioning wheel assemblies that are used to continuously reposition a cross-section of the mandrel relative to the braiding machine such that a center point of cross-section of the mandrel is maintained to be coaxial with a braiding point of the braiding machine as the mandrel 18 is rotationally advanced by the drive/positioning wheel assemblies. Repositioning of the drive/positioning wheel assemblies is controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) controller, based on information describing one or more radiuses of curvature for sections of the mandrel and a current position of the mandrel relative to the drive/positioning wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A method and device for forming composites using a pre-consolidated tubular braid (i.e., a braid removed from the braiding machine on which it was produced prior to use in further processing) including feeding the pre-consolidated tubular braid over a supporting mandrel, impregnating the braid with a resin using a pressurized resin injection chamber with a mandrel adapted to provide adequate impregnation, feeding the resin saturated braid into a pultrusion die with a mandrel for forming and heating and pulling the cured composite from the die for finishing the end product.

Abstract: A triaxial braided sleeve in which the axial strands are reinforcing and the bias strands are elastic. Due to the elastic bias strands, the sleeve can be used as the reinforcement in a fiber-reinforced plastic part having a tapered, curved, or other irregular shape.

Abstract: A method of producing an air beam having at least one curved portion, including braiding a sleeve having substantially regularly spaced axial fibers along the circumference thereof, taking-up the braided sleeve using at least one non-cylindrical take-up member, and inserting a gas-barrier tube into the sleeve.