Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a heating method and apparatus in which a plurality of heated regions is superimposed in order to improve energy density control.

Abstract: A novel composite beam is disclosed. The composite beam may comprise variations in the surface that can be used to create open and closed surfaces for the modulation of natural light. The composite beam may also be optimized for the applied loads by placing the fibers in the direction of the applied loads and/or increasing the fiber density in the regions of higher loads.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure having lightning strike protection includes receiving at least one structural layer, receiving at least one lightning strike protection strip disposed on at least one reinforcement layer, automatically applying the at least one lightning strike protection strip disposed on the at least one reinforcement layer onto the at least one structural layer, and forming the at least one structural layer, the at least one lightning strike protection strip, and the at least one reinforcement layer, into the structure. The at least one lightning strike protection strip comprises a first material, and the at least one reinforcement layer comprises a second material different from the first material. The automatically applying may include using at least one of fiber placement equipment, tape laying equipment, and similar automated equipment.

Abstract: A pressure head for use in a fiber placement system for thermoplastic composite materials is disclosed. Plies of thermoplastic composite tape are placed onto a mandrel to form a shaped object. The pressure head includes a nozzle and at least one delivery tube for providing fluid medium mixture to the nozzle body, wherein the nozzle directs the fluid medium onto a surface of the shaped object thereby providing a pressure on the surface without direct physical contact of the nozzle with the plies of thermoplastic composite tape.

Abstract: An improved thermoplastic composite prepreg tape is disclosed. The prepreg tape is optimized for high-speed, high quality in-situ consolidation during automated fiber placement. Embodiments of the prepreg tape have uniform dimensions (cross section, width, and thickness), uniform energy absorption, uniform surface roughness, and sufficient resin at the surface to affect a bond between layers.

Abstract: A pressure head for use in a fiber placement system for thermoplastic composite materials is disclosed. Plies of thermoplastic composite tape are placed onto a mandrel to form a shaped object. The pressure head includes a nozzle and at least one delivery tube for providing fluid medium mixture to the nozzle body, wherein the nozzle directs the fluid medium onto a surface of the shaped object thereby providing a pressure on the surface without direct physical contact of the nozzle with the plies of thermoplastic composite tape.

Abstract: A fully automated method and apparatus is disclosed to laminate various structural articles with multiple layers of a resin impregnated fiber tape. The fiber tape is deposited with a tape laying member moving alternately in different travel directions. The tape laying member removes all backing layers from the tape being employed, then deposits the unbacked tape on the surface of the structural article and finally severs the end of the tape being deposited. An automated cut and restart procedure is employed in the present apparatus to increase throughput.

Abstract: A fully automated method and apparatus is disclosed to laminate various structural articles with a layer of resin impregnated fiber tape. The tape laying member removes a releasable backing layer from the tape being employed, then deposits the unbacked tape on the surface of the structural article, and finally severs the end of the tape being deposited. An automated cut and restart procedure is employed in the present tape laying member to increase tape throughput.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reinforcement of thin wall hollow thermoplastic storage vessels with one or more wraps of continuous fibers. This method requires thermal bonding between the reinforcement fibers and the outer surface of the thermoplastic storage vessel while the interior cavity of the storage vessel is being pressurized. The fiber wraps can also be oriented in spatial directions further resisting internal stress on the storage vessel walls when put in service.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced thermoplastic pipe member is obtained by a novel continuous process in which the reinforcement fibers are wrapped about the outer pipe surface in an unbonded condition while the pipe member continuously moves in a linear direction and which is followed by sufficient heating of the moving fiber wrapped pipe member to cause thermal bonding between the applied fibers and the pipe member. Automated apparatus for carrying out the continuous process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reinforcement of thin wall hollow thermoplastic storage vessels with one or more wraps of continuous fibers. This method requires thermal bonding between the reinforcement fibers and the outer surface of the thermoplastic storage vessel while the interior cavity of the storage vessel is being pressurized. The fiber wraps can also be oriented in spatial directions further resisting internal stress on the storage vessel walls when put in service.

Abstract: A continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic pipe coupling is disclosed having improved resistance to applied stress when used with pipe lengths being joined together. The fiber reinforcement is aligned during placement in a particular manner and placed at a predetermined fiber angles dictated mechanical forces being applied such as by internal fluid pressures in the coupled pipe lengths.