Abstract: A swimming pool wall, and method for forming same, including a plurality of layers of reinforced composite material. Each layer includes a thermoplastic resin and a plurality of elongate glass strands of reinforcing material. A first set of the plurality of layers has the strands running in a first direction, and a second set of the plurality of layers has the strands running in a second direction. The first direction is offset in angle from the second direction, and the first and second set of layers are fused together to form a unitary composite wall. The pool wall permits the use of a composite material which provides sufficient strength and resists degradation. The wall structure may be a plurality of interconnected panels both arcuate and arcuate and planar in shape to determine the overall shape of the composite wall enclosing an area where water or ice is retained.

Abstract: A swimming pool wall, and method for forming same, including a plurality of layers of reinforced composite material. Each layer includes a thermoplastic resin and a plurality of elongate glass strands of reinforcing material. A first set of the plurality of layers has the strands running in a first direction, and a second set of the plurality of layers has the strands running in a second direction. The first direction is offset in angle from the second direction, and the first and second set of layers are fused together to form a unitary composite wall. The pool wall permits the use of a composite material which provides sufficient strength and resists degradation. The wall structure may be a plurality of interconnected panels both arcuate and arcuate and planar in shape to determine the overall shape of the composite wall enclosing an area where water or ice is retained.

Abstract: A swimming pool wall, and method for forming same, including a plurality of layers of reinforced composite material. Each layer includes a thermoplastic resin and a plurality of elongate glass strands of reinforcing material. A first set of the plurality of layers has the strands miming in a first direction, and a second set of the plurality of layers has the strands miming in a second direction. The first direction is offset in angle from the second direction, and the first and second set of layers are fused together to form a unitary composite wall. The principles of hoop strength applicable to the swimming pool wall also apply to other cylindrical structures needing hoop strength arising from pressures inside or outside the cylindrical structure. The wall structure may be a plurality of interconnected panels both arcuate and arcuate and planar in shape to determine the overall shape of the composite wall enclosing an area where water or ice is retained.

Abstract: A swimming pool wall, and method for forming same, including a plurality of layers of reinforced composite material. Each layer includes a thermoplastic resin and a plurality of elongate glass strands of reinforcing material. A first set of the plurality of layers has the strands miming in a first direction, and a second set of the plurality of layers has the strands miming in a second direction. The first direction is offset in angle from the second direction, and the first and second set of layers are fused together to form a unitary composite wall. The principles of hoop strength applicable to the swimming pool wall also apply to other cylindrical structures needing hoop strength arising from pressures inside or outside the cylindrical structure. The wall structure may be a plurality of interconnected panels both arcuate and arcuate and planar in shape to determine the overall shape of the composite wall enclosing an area where water or ice is retained.

Abstract: A product sheet of composite material can be made by disposing composite materials of composite material in adjacent (side-by-side) relation with each other. The composite materials comprise fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material. The adjacent composite materials are bonded together to provide a product sheet of composite material. Preferably, a cross ply of composite material is disposed on the composite materials. The cross ply may be a unidirectional sheet and the fibers in the cross ply may be disposed in transverse relation to the fibers in the composite materials.

Abstract: A blade comprises a lightweight core, a composite material disposed on the core, and a skin located on the composite material. The composite material comprises fibers incorporated into a thermoplastic resin matrix in the form of a prepreg sheet or wet layup. The rotor blade may also comprise a front edge member attached along at least a portion of a leading edge of the core, a rear edge member attached along at least a portion of a trailing edge of the core, and a skin located over the core, the front edge member, and the rear edge member. The rotor blade may also comprise a spar extending through the core along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, and a skin located over the core and the spar. The edge members and the spars may be fabricated from thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A structural tie 10 is made from at least one layer of composite material 20. The composite material has a polymer matrix filled with at least one reinforcing material. In one embodiment, the matrix is a thermoplastic and the reinforcing material is fibers encapsulated by the thermoplastic. A structural tie 10 may be selectively formable, in situ, by applying heat to cause the matrix material to soften. Once softened, the structural tie can be conformed to an adjacent surface. The structural tie may include layers 20, 22 of composite material bonded to one another. Optionally, the structural tie is a hybrid of a composite material and a metallic material bonded together. A structural tie may be heat-bondable to a structural member 24.

Abstract: A blade comprises a lightweight core, a composite material disposed on the core, and a skin located on the composite material. The composite material comprises fibers incorporated into a thermoplastic resin matrix in the form of a prepreg sheet or wet layup. The rotor blade may also comprise a front edge member attached along at least a portion of a leading edge of the core, a rear edge member attached along at least a portion of a trailing edge of the core, and a skin located over the core, the front edge member, and the rear edge member. The rotor blade may also comprise a spar extending through the core along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade, and a skin located over the core and the spar. The edge members and the spars may be fabricated from thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A structural tie 10 is made from at least one layer of composite material 20. The composite material has a polymer matrix filled with at least one reinforcing material. In one embodiment, the matrix is a thermoplastic and the reinforcing material is fibers encapsulated by the thermoplastic. A structural tie 10 may be selectively formable, in situ, by applying heat to cause the matrix material to soften. Once softened, the structural tie can be conformed to an adjacent surface. The structural tie may include layers 20, 22 of composite material bonded to one another. Optionally, the structural tie is a hybrid of a composite material and a metallic material bonded together. A structural tie may be heat-bondable to a structural member 24.