Abstract: Tethered flange comers including at least one ply of barrier fibers and at least one fiber tow wrapped about the barrier fibers. Also included are flanges having a tethered corner containing at least one ply of barrier fibers, at least one fiber tow wrapped about the barrier fibers, at least one ply of filler fibers applied over the fiber tow, and at least one ply of flange fibers applied over the filler fibers. Additionally included are articles incorporating a composite structure having a flange with a tethered corner containing at least one ply of barrier fibers and at least one fiber tow wrapped about the barrier fibers.

Abstract: Continuous debulking systems including in combination a spool for providing a fabric, a heating apparatus for heating the fabric as the fabric is unrolled from the spool to produce a heated fabric, a composite structure forming tool for wrapping the heated fabric thereabout, a resin applicator for applying resin to the heated fabric as the heated fabric is wrapped about the composite structure forming tool to produce a resin rich fabric surface to which a subsequent ply of heated fabric is applied to produce an impregnated composite material, and a pressure roller for concurrently debulking and cooling the impregnated composite material to produce a composite structure preform.

Abstract: Continuous debulking methods involving providing a spool of fabric, heating the fabric to produce a heated fabric while concurrently transferring the heated fabric to a composite structure forming tool, wrapping the heated fabric about the composite structure forming tool, applying resin to the heated fabric to obtain a resin rich fabric surface, applying a subsequent ply of heated fabric to the resin rich fabric surface to obtain an impregnated composite material, and debulking and cooling the impregnated composite to obtain a composite structure preform.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a turbine engine composite containment casing is provided. The method comprising impregnating a plurality of fiber-reinforced layers with a resin to form a preform, heating the preform to a first temperature, applying a vacuum to the preform, varying an amount of pressure applied to the preform when the temperature reaches the first temperature, heating the preform from the first temperature to a second temperature at a first temperature rate, and heating the preform from the second temperature to a third temperature at a second temperature rate to facilitate curing of the preform.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a composite structure having at least one mounting flange involving providing a composite structure forming tool having a first endplate and a second endplate, fabricating a composite structure preform about the tool, the composite structure preform having at least one mounting flange preform circumferentially oriented thereabout, placing at least one extended flange shoe having a first side and a second side circumferentially about the composite structure preform so that the first side lies adjacent to the first endplate, removeably coupling the first endplate to the first extended flange shoe, placing at least one flange shoe circumferentially about the composite structure preform adjacent to the second end of the extended flange shoe, removeably coupling the flange shoe to the extended flange shoe to form a cavity about the mounting flange preform, and curing the composite structure preform having the at least one mounting flange preform to obtain a composite structure having at lea

Abstract: An apparatus including a composite structure forming tool having a circumferential core, a first endplate and a second endplate, at least one extended flange shoe having a first side and a second side, the first side removeably coupled to the first endplate, and at least one flange shoe removeably coupled to the second side of the extended flange shoe such that when a composite structure preform having at least one mounting flange preform is fabricated about the composite structure forming tool and the extended flange shoe and flange shoe are removeably coupled, a cavity is formed about the mounting flange preform by the extended flange shoe and flange shoe.

Abstract: Methods for making a structure having an integral mounting flange involving providing a primary composite structure having a circumference, applying at least one circumferentially oriented core fiber about the circumference of the primary composite structure, applying at least one layer of attachment fibers to operably connect the core fiber to the primary composite structure about the circumference to obtain an integral mounting flange preform, and curing the mounting flange preform to obtain an integral mounting flange.

Abstract: A portable computer device, comprising a circuit board; a connector in communication with the circuit board, the connector adapted for insertion into a computer port; a light source associated with the circuit board; and a housing encasing at least the circuit board and the light source, the housing comprising a substantially opaque body portion and a substantially transparent or translucent lens portion, the lens portion located proximate the light source.

Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A motorcycle power transmission assembly including an engine, a transmission, a drive assembly, and a starter assembly. The engine includes a crankcase, and the transmission includes a transmission case coupled to the crankcase to define an engine-transmission assembly. The drive assembly includes a drive housing coupled to the engine-transmission assembly to define a drive chamber. The drive housing including an opening, and the drive assembly further includes a starter gear. The starter assembly is mounted to the drive housing and includes a nose portion that extends through the opening. The nose portion includes a pinion gear adapted to engage the starter gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for presenting data such as CAD data and three-dimensional graphic design data. The presentation method includes a set of one or more pages upon which objects are arranged. The objects may be associated with models, images, text, or buttons. For example, an object may be a walkthrough object associated with a three-dimensional model. The method also includes a means for synchronizing data sets. For example, a two-dimensional floor plan may be synchronized with a three-dimensional walkthrough. Further, the system includes a means for determining collisions and climbing of an actor in a first person walkthrough object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that classifies a seat occupant into one of several different weight classes based on an estimated value of the seat occupant weight. An occupant's measured weight varies when the occupant's seating position changes or when the vehicle travels over adverse road conditions. A plurality of weight sensors are used to measure the weight exerted by a seat occupant against a seat bottom and are used to determine center of gravity for the seat occupant. A seat belt force sensor is also used to assist in classifying the seat occupant. Compensation factors using the seat belt force and center of gravity information are used to generate an estimated weight value. The estimated value of the occupant weight is compared to a series of upper and lower weight thresholds assigned to each of the weight classes to generate an occupant weight sample class. Over a period of time, several estimated weight values are compared to the weight class thresholds.

Abstract: A modular automotive light device is provided. The light device may include multiple light emitting diodes (LED). Multiple light devices may be arranged in a desired manner comprising an automotive headlamp, for example. The light devices may be stacked on top of each other and/or positioned side by side to form the headlamp. Using multiple light devices provides a sufficient amount of radiated light rays in order to comply with regulations and standards for light output of light devices for use on the exterior of an automobile, for example.

Abstract: Weight sensor assemblies for measuring weight on a vehicle seat are mounted at the connecting points between a seat bottom frame and a seat mounting member. The weight sensor assemblies each include a beam member having a bendable center body portion for supporting a strain gage. The strain gage and associated traces are screen printed on the surface of the beam. The beam acts similar to a dual constrained cantilever beam, concentrating the bending at a reduced neck section that narrows in the middle of the center body portion. The strain gage measures strain resulting from bending in the center body portion caused by a weight force being applied against the seat.

Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A modular automotive light device is provided. The light device may include multiple light emitting diodes (LED). Multiple light devices may be arranged in a desired manner comprising an automotive headlamp, for example. The light devices may be stacked on top of each other and/or positioned side by side to form the headlamp. Using multiple light devices provides a sufficient amount of radiated light rays in order to comply with regulations and standards for light output of light devices for use on the exterior of an automobile, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for presenting data such as CAD data and three-dimensional graphic design data. The presentation method includes a set of one or more pages upon which objects are arranged. The objects may be associated with models, images, text, or buttons. For example, an object may be a walkthrough object associated with a three-dimensional model. The method also includes a means for synchronizing data sets. For example, a two-dimensional floor plan may be synchronized with a three-dimensional walkthrough. Further, the system includes a means for determining collisions and climbing of an actor in a first person walkthrough object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for presenting data such as CAD data and three-dimensional graphic design data. The presentation method includes a set of one or more pages upon which objects are arranged. The objects may be associated with models, images, text, or buttons. For example, an object may be a walkthrough object associated with a three-dimensional model. The method also includes a means for synchronizing data sets. For example, a two-dimensional floor plan may be synchronized with a three-dimensional walkthrough. Further, the system includes a means for determining collisions and climbing of an actor in a first person walkthrough object.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sending graphical images through networks to an end-use-device. Image data along with image details is sent from a user computer to an end-use-device designated by recipient end-use-device data. The present invention comprises a user computer operated by a user, a first server, a second server and an end-use-device operated by an end-use-device user. The first server comprises a first server front end which provides an interface via a wireline network between the user computer and the first server. One function of the second server is to provide an interface between a wireless network and the second server. The invention also provides software in the end-use-device for converting data received over the wireless network to a format usable by the end-use-device.