Abstract: A method of making a dial table is provided. A foam layout is interposed between a base assembly and a top assembly to form a composite layout. The base assembly includes a first segmented carbon fiber layout therein and the top assembly includes a second segmented carbon fiber layout therein. A caul plate is then placed adjacent to the composite layout. The caul plate includes a plurality of caul plate apertures. A vacuum is thereafter generated proximate the composite layout. A resin is drawn through the plurality of caul plate apertures using the generated vacuum until the composite layout is infused with the resin. The caul plate is removed from adjacent the composite layout and the resin-infused composite layout is baked. Thus, the dial table is made.

Abstract: A mandrel for use in tin box manufacturing apparatus is described. The mandrel is provided with a base component and a plurality of side wall components which are indirectly coupled to said base component such that the movement of said base component towards the center of said mandrel causes laterally outward displacement of said side wall components. The coupling is achieved by connecting a rod member to the base component which moves vertically within the mandrel when the base component moves and providing inclined cam surfaces on either side of said rod member against which cam followers provided on lateral actuating members are springingly biased. The cam surfaces of the rod member and the actuating members are ideally disposed within the mandrel in a plane parallel with the base component and at the mid point of the depth of the mandrel.

Abstract: The difficulty and expense of fabricating a support strut for a ram air driven turbine are reduced by providing an axially opening channel in a central portion of the strut. Blockage of a portion of the airstream flowing through the ram air turbine and past the strut is reduced by extending the axially opening channel through the entire axial length of the strut. Apparatus for converting or transferring power generated by the ram air turbine to a point of use, such as an aircraft, is routed through the axially opening channel, thereby allowing convenient access to such apparatus. A strut design is provided which may be readily manufactured as a single unitary structure from a variety of metallic and non-metallic materials including fiber reinforced composites.

Abstract: A turbine blade (1), for example, for a ram air turbine engine, and method of making the turbine blade, wherein the turbine blade (1) includes a blade retention insert member (2) having a hub connector (3). The turbine blade (1) is fabricated by using sheet molding compound consisting essentially of discontinuous short fibers (7) initially random spaced within a polymer matrix sheet. A plurality of sheets of sheet molding compound are precut to a desired configuration or shape and placed in a heated blade mold. Heat and pressure are applied to the mold causing the sheet molding compound to flow around the blade retention insert member (2) and fill the mold cavity. The flow of the sheet molding compound causes the initially randomly oriented short fibers (7) to preferentially align in the direction of flow to rigidify the turbine blade (1).

Abstract: Leakage of a coolant into the air gap (16) of a dynamoelectric machine so as to cause undesirable windage losses may be avoided through the use of a composite rotor sleeve (44) including a continuous film (46) of polyimide material on its radially inner surface and surrounding the machine rotor (22).

Abstract: A root attachment for a turbine blade is integrally molded with a composite turbine blade for a ram air turbine. The root attachment includes an insert at the one end of the root attachment for integrally molding within the blade and a hub connector at an opposite end for connecting the blade to a rotor hub. The insert has a geometry and surface area such that a dual load carrying capability is achieved during molding by the formation of an adhesive bond between the material of the blade and the insert and also a mechanical locking which resists failure in bearing. Each of the adhesive bond and the mechanical locking is designed to fail above an ultimate design load.