Abstract: Systems and methods of forming fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites with electrostatic dissipative properties are described herein. The FRP composite is bonded to a surface and integrates a grounding system to dissipate electro-static energy, thus eliminating the potential risk of explosion. The system can be used for structures that require reinforcement and that are susceptible to electro-static explosions.

Abstract: Systems and methods of forming fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites with electrostatic dissipative properties are described herein. The FRP composite is bonded to a surface and integrates a grounding system to dissipate electro-static energy, thus eliminating the potential risk of explosion. The system can be used for structures that require reinforcement and that are susceptible to electro-static explosions.

Abstract: The machine comprises a solid matrix (1), a deformable body (2) joined to the surface of said matrix (1), a shaping mould (3) and a securing system system (5) for the fibre structure (4). The matrix (1) is a solid element having a functional face, the geometry of which depends on the part to be manufactured. The deformable body (2) has an initial geometry that depends on the geometry to be given to the fibre structure (4). The shaping mould (3) has the geometry to be given to the fibre structure (4) during the process of adaptation to the shaping mould (3), and the shaping mould (3) is located such that the deformable body (2) is located between said shaping mould (3) and the matrix (1).

Abstract: A decking system is made up of a variety of decking boards and other components are disclosed. In some aspects, the decking boards are connectable to each other so that adjacent boards will provide a water barrier and a drainage channel. Some versions of the boards may have a hollow region to accept the provision of heating elements or other accessory structures. A connector piece is disclosed in various embodiments span the gap between the butt ends of the boards to provide a water barrier at the butt ends of the boards. A gutter and downspout system is disclosed, as well as structures for protecting the ends or sides of the deck structure.

Abstract: A support structure for a propulsor blade includes at least one sleeve configured to support a root portion of the propulsor blade, the at least one sleeve fixedly attached to a surface of the root portion. The support structure also includes a preloading component configured to apply a residual compressive force to the at least one sleeve and the root portion of the propulsor blade, the residual compressive force configured to maintain an attachment of the at least one sleeve to the root portion. The propulsor blade and root portion may incorporate composite structural materials. The support structure and/or the preloading component increases the high cycle fatigue strength and bending capacity of blade retention assemblies (including, e.g., composite-to-metal joints) when subjected to high cycle bending loads under reduced centrifugal load conditions, thereby making further reductions in the size and weight of blade retention assemblies feasible.

Abstract: A leaf spring manufactured from composite material has a variable cross sectional area. The leaf spring is manufactured by die forming a core of a constant cross section, then winding fibers onto the core to create a spring with a variable cross section and then cutting the spring to size. A ply lay-up station is shown which winds fiber onto a die formed workpiece as it moves through the station.

Abstract: A decking system is made up of a variety of decking boards and other components are disclosed. In some aspects, the decking boards are connectable to each other so that adjacent boards will provide a water barrier and a drainage channel. Some versions of the boards may have a hollow region to accept the provision of heating elements or other accessory structures. A connector piece is disclosed in various embodiments span the gap between the butt ends of the boards to provide a water barrier at the butt ends of the boards. A gutter and downspout system is disclosed, as well as structures for protecting the ends or sides of the deck structure.

Abstract: A leaf spring manufactured from composite material has a variable cross sectional area. The leaf spring is manufactured by die forming a core of a constant cross section, then winding fibres onto the core to create a spring with a variable cross section and then cutting the spring to size. A ply lay-up station is shown which winds fibre onto a die formed workpiece as it moves through the station.

Abstract: A sports racquet with increased string vibration damping has grommets with elongated barrels. The barrels conform closely to the strings, are capable of absorbing vibration, and may be placed on the main strings, the cross strings, or both.

Abstract: A rotor for a propulsive thrust device comprises a hub having a peripheral surface; a plurality of rotor blades received at the peripheral surface of the hub; a first bearing assembly located in the hub and around a shank of a respective rotor blade to support the rotor blade in the hub under centrifugal loading and to allow the rotor blade to rotate about a longitudinal axis; and a second bearing assembly located in the hub and around a shank of a respective rotor blade and inward of the first bearing assembly to preload the first bearing assembly. A preload bearing assembly comprises an outer race; a plurality of rolling elements located therein; and a plurality of studs located in communication with the outer race. Adjustment of the studs distributes a tensile load around the outer race to exert a preload force on a bearing assembly supporting the rotor blade.

Abstract: A shield for shielding structures, vehicles and personnel from a projectile and/or an explosive blast generally includes a substantially planar shield plate adapted for attachment to a structure to provide protection to the structure. The shield plate includes a chassis having an interior surface facing the structure and an opposite outer surface, and a ballistic liner disposed on the outer surface of the chassis such that the chassis is more proximal the structure than the ballistic liner. The ballistic liner has an exterior surface facing the exterior environment.

Abstract: A system for providing support to a fan blade of an aircraft engine includes a rotatable hub; a cradle pivotally mounted on the rotatable hub, the cradle comprising a flexible member and an adjacently positioned support member; a fan blade attached at a first end thereof to the cradle such that the flexible member engages a first surface of the fan blade at the first end of the fan blade and the support member engages a second opposing surface of the fan blade at the first end of the fan blade and such that the flexible member and the support member provide support to the fan blade relative to the rotatable hub; and means for rotating the cradle relative to the rotatable hub to vary the pitch of the fan blade. The system may include spherical support surfaces located on sides of the cradle.

Abstract: A system for providing variable pitch to a rotor blade of an aircraft engine includes a rotatable hub; at least one blade mounted on the rotatable hub; a gear mechanism operably connected to the rotatable hub; a timing ring rotatably and operably connected to the gear mechanism; and a pitch arm operably connecting the timing ring and the at least one blade mounted on the rotatable hub. In the operation of the system, the gear mechanism facilitates the rotation of the timing ring to vary the pitch of the at least one blade mounted on the rotatable hub.

Abstract: A web-like or sheet-like semi-finished product capable of forming a polymeric foam composite material by heat treatment, which semi-finished product is formed by a web-like or sheet-like fibrous material and a mixture having curable resin and unexpanded thermoplastic particles of at least two different qualities with mutually different expansion temperature introduced into the fibrous material are provided, in which thermoplastic particles of at least one of these qualities remain unexpanded in the semi-finished product. A polymeric foam composite material is also formed by such a semi-finished product. Furthermore, methods for producing such a semi-finished product and such a polymeric foam composite material are provided.

Abstract: A method for forming integrally insulated concrete sandwich walls or wall components is disclosed. The walls are fabricated by casting the walls vertically and pumping the concrete from the bottom of the form or from sides near the base. Walls fabricated thus can be used in commercial, industrial, residential, and agricultural buildings. These walls can be cast on-site or in a manufacturing plant.

Abstract: A sports racquet frame is built of a composite of laminations of fibrous material as impregnated by a thermosetting resin. The head section of the frame has an upper tube preferably disposed above the string bed plane and a lower tube preferably disposed below the string bed plane. A solid bridge of material integrally joins the upper tube to the lower tube. In a preferred embodiment the bridge is disposed radially exteriorly of the center line of the tubes, to maximize the length of string segments, which are strung to the bridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brake for pinching a rim without overheating it. The rim includes two walls and a bridge. Each of the walls includes a first portion within the bridge, a second portion beside the bridge so that the bridge performs as a heat sink and support for the second portion and a third portion beyond the bridge in order to clamp a tire. The brake includes two rockers, two shoes attached to the rockers and two linings attached to the shoes in order to pinch the second portions of the walls. A phantom line intersecting the centers of the linings is different from a phantom line intersecting the centers of the anchors.

Abstract: A sports racquet strung with a bypass string pattern has a frame with a first side and an opposed second side. The second side of the frame has a plurality of spaced apart string anchoring points. A string bed including a string having a plurality of string segments each strung between the first side and the second side of the frame using the string anchoring points. The string bed includes first and second string segments that are adjacent each other on the string, substantially parallel to each other in the string bed, but are spaced apart from each other in the string bed by at least two other string segments strung substantially parallel to the first and second string segments.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for molding a part, such as a point-of-purchase display, is shown. The system comprises a plasticator and press. The molded part comprises an in-molded graphics sheet which becomes molded integral with the part.