Abstract: A preform is infused with a resin to form a composite laminate. The preform is placed between a mold and a vacuum bag. An offset tool is placed to permit the vacuum bag to lift away from a surface of the preform in a controlled amount. A charge of the resin is injected between the vacuum bag and the preform to lift the vacuum bag off the surface of the preform and move the vacuum bag toward the offset tool, so that the resin occupies a volume between the vacuum bag and the preform. The preform is infused with the resin by applying a super-atmospheric pressure to an outer surface of the vacuum bag to transport the resin from the volume between the vacuum bag and the preform into a volume within the preform. The resin in the preform is cured, forming the composite laminate.

Abstract: A fan spacer for placement between a pair of adjacent blades in a fan assembly and a related method of making. The fan spacer has a spacer body including an airflow surface shaped to direct air between the pair of adjacent blades in which the airflow surface is shaped on opposing sides to correspond to the pair of adjacent blades. An over molded feature is molded onto the airflow surface of the spacer body in which the over molded feature both includes an erosion coating on the airflow surface and, on the two opposing sides, seals configured to seal against the pair of adjacent blades on the opposing sides of the airflow surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a flange has a laminate component and a drum supporting the laminate component. A forming tool selectively engages the laminate component. A diaphragm member extends between the drum and the laminate component and selectively engages the forming tool. Movement of the diaphragm member deforms the laminate component away from the drum about an edge of the forming tool, and the laminate component maintains a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A method of infusing a preform with a resin for the formation of a composite laminate in which the preform is placed between a mold and a vacuum bag. An offset tool is placed outside of the vacuum bag so as to permit the vacuum bag to lift away from a surface of the preform in a controlled amount. A charge of the resin is injected between the vacuum bag and the preform so as to lift the vacuum bag off the surface of the preform and move the vacuum bag toward the offset tool, so that the resin occupies a volume between the vacuum bag and the surface of the preform. The preform is infused with the resin by applying a super-atmospheric pressure to an outer surface of the vacuum bag to transport the resin from the volume between the vacuum bag and the surface of the preform into a volume within the preform. The resin in the preform is cured, thereby forming the composite laminate.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a flange has a laminate component and a drum supporting the laminate component. A forming tool selectively engages the laminate component. A diaphragm member extends between the drum and the laminate component and selectively engages the forming tool. Movement of the diaphragm member deforms the laminate component away from the drum about an edge of the forming tool, and the laminate component maintains a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A preforming device and method of use thereof, the device including a rack, a pinion, belt, belt tensioning feature, and mechanism for supporting a variably appliable enhanced pressure, such as may be applied using a bladder or bladders having one or more valves, the device capable of engaging a mandrel to form at least one ply and a binder against the exterior of the mandrel.

Abstract: A connector includes a connector portion and one or more pads embedded in the connector portion and coupled to circuit paths, wherein the pads adjoin the surface of the connector portion and are exposed, and the connector portion is joined to a part by a joining mechanism. The circuit paths may comprise either, copper, brass, gold, aluminum, fiber optic material or any other material that is electrically or optically conductive. The connector portion is adjoined to the part via an joining mechanism such as, for example, nailing, soldering, pinning, welding, clamping, mating or gluing. One or more embedded pads may be embedded in a composite connector so that the embedded pads are present on one or more surfaces of the composite connector, and are connected to circuit paths inside the composite connector, allowing the composite connector to be connected to, for example, a power source.