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 manhole cover includes a support having an upper surface and a peripherally-extending portion. An outer insulating member is disposed over the entire upper surface of the support, and the support comprises a first material and the outer insulating member comprises a second material different from the first material. The peripherally-extending portion of the support is positionable over the lip of the manhole ring. The outer insulating member is positionable between the upper surface of the support and the upper surface of the rim of the manhole ring when the manhole cover is received in the manhole ring. In one aspect, the support comprises cross-members defining a grate having passageways through the support. In another aspect, the support comprises metal, and the outer insulating member comprises a composite of resin, reinforcement fibers, and stone aggregate. In another aspect, screen inserts are disposed in a plurality of passageways in the outer insulating member.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a prefabricated column assembly comprising a column having an external wall and an internal wall defining a channel for receiving a mounting post, the mounting bracket configured to be received by the channel having a body defining a hole for receivingly engaging the mounting post and having a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge defining a slot for receiving an elongated support strip for providing a lateral support anchor for the column assembly.

Abstract: A symmetrical load transfer device for use in insulated concrete wall panels. The symmetrical shape allows for forces induced in manufacturing, transportation, installation and nature to transfer through the device equally to both concrete wythes of the wall panel. The load transfer device is preferably made of a thermoplastic or thermoset resin matrix incorporating continuous filaments, such as glass rovings. The low thermal conductivity of the matrix of filaments and resins greatly reduce thermal bridging of the insulation layer while maintaining structural integrity of the wall panel.

Abstract: A composite structural element and a method for making same are provided. The element includes a polymer foam core and at least one fibrous layer adhered to the polymer foam core by epoxy. Nano-particles are suspended in the epoxy prior to curing; preferably they are mixed with the hardener before it is mixed with the resin. The polymer foam core is preferably an exothermic foam such as polyurethane, and heat generated by the exothermic foam cures the epoxy, thereby causing the fibrous layer to adhere to the foam core. The nano-particles may be made from at least one of carbon, a ceramic, tungsten, a carbide, titanium, zircon, aluminum, silver, or boron. When carbon nano-particles are used, the strength of the composite is greatly increased, and the curing time of the heat-curable epoxy is significantly reduced. Ceramic nano-particles can be used to increase penetration resistance and provide increased ballistic protection.

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 propulsive thrust device for an engine includes a rotor blade and a hub assembly on which the rotor blade is mounted. The rotor blade comprises an airfoil and at least two support members. A propeller thrust device includes a rotor blade, a central hub at which the rotor blade centrifugal load is supported, and an outer hub supporting a control mechanism mechanically connected to the rotor blade and controllable to vary the pitch of the rotor blade on the central hub. A rotor blade for an aircraft engine or in a separate ducted fan housing driven by a powered shaft or gearbox output shaft includes an airfoil and first and second support members attached to the airfoil. An extended arm or portion of the structure at the root of the airfoil of each blade is attached to a controllable mechanism that can vary the pitch of all blades simultaneously.

Abstract: Trays for positioning of an object within an imaging coil for imaging procedures. Tray embodiments include a body having sides, ends, an object-supporting wall between the sides and at least one protrusion extending laterally outward from each side of the body. The protrusions cooperate with the structure of the particular imaging coil to locate the tray at a proper imaging position within the imaging coil. Patient-immobilization devices and object-holding devices may be associated with the trays. The trays enable off-the-shelf imaging coils to be adapted for use with an expanded number of patient-immobilization devices and object-holding devices.

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 mounting bracket for a prefabricated column assembly comprising a column having an external wall and an internal wall defining a channel for receiving a mounting post, the mounting bracket configured to be received by the channel having a body defining a hole for receivingly engaging the mounting post and having a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge defining a slot for receiving an elongated support strip for providing a lateral support anchor for the column assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight boss system for use on a tank or pressure vessel. The boss system is preferably made of a composite or resin transfer molded (RTM) material. It is particularly useful for composite tanks, such as filament-wound composite tanks.

Abstract: A brake includes two rockers, two shoes attached to the rockers and two linings attached to the shoes. The brake pinches a rim without overheating the rim. 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 supports the second portion and a third portion beyond the bridge in order to clamp a tire. The two linings pinch the second portions of the walls. An anchor attaches the top of each of the shoes to the related rocker and is vertically spaced from the linings.

Abstract: A fiber composite connector element for production of concrete cavity walls having a shaft with anchorage ends and one or more locating flanges. The anchorage ends provide bi-directional force transfer between the connector body and surrounding concrete. The connector may include a flange for orientation of the connector shaft perpendicular to a plastic concrete layer and for setting the depth of penetration of the connector into a concrete layer.

Abstract: An insulated concrete panel having one or more tendons positioned in the insulation layer inside the panel which are put into tension after the concrete panel has been formed.

Abstract: A method for calculating using a digital computer an approximation of properties of a concrete sandwich panel. The method allows for a manufacturer of concrete sandwich panels to design sandwich panels using a range of available components to meet architectural specifications.

Abstract: A racquet for hitting a projectile has a stem, which is a handle or a shaft with a handle, and a racquet head with a frame extending from the handle and supporting a tensioned string bed defining a sweet spot. The frame has an upper portion on an opposing end of the frame relative to the handle and a longitudinal axis extending from the upper portion to the handle. The string bed includes main strings generally running parallel to the longitudinal axis and cross strings running generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The string bed has an upper end defined at an interior surface of the upper portion and a lower end disposed at an interior surface of a lower end of the frame near the handle. A length is defined from the upper end to the lower end of the string bed. The cross strings are only disposed at most within approximately an upper 70% of the length of the string bed.