Abstract: A connecting rod is composed of two or more assembled shells made of a composite, open over the entire length of the connecting rod. The shells incorporate clevis joints for introducing stress at each of their ends. The shells are produced separately then assembled together to form a sealed section. Each shell is made from a material preimpregnated with long fibres. The production of each shell is simplified due to the overall shape of the shell as a simple curve, thus a shell may be produced industrially, for example, by thermoforming a flat composite preform. The two shells are assembled by simultaneous polymerization of the shells, by bonding, by welding, by riveting or any other assembly process or combination of assembly processes that are compatible with one another. The structural composite connecting rod obtained has very good mechanical properties, especially in compression, with a simple and economic production process.

Abstract: A wrinkle control process for manufacturing a closed cross-sectional, composite laminate structure on a male tool cured under temperature and pressure. The process includes the step of creating a plurality of filled or unfilled depressions at strategic locations in the laminate prior to curing. The depressions are created by depression forming elements that have a predetermined size designed to create a depression in under plies, alone or combined with intensification techniques. The depressions may be left unfilled or be partially or completely filled. Depression forming elements are removed after cure or remain part of the structure.

Abstract: A tubular part with a complex geometrical shape, the tubular part is made of a composite material including, on the one hand, a core part made of a very high-temperature resin obtained by a 3-D direct-creation method using a very high-temperature thermoplastic resin and, on the other hand, a coating of resin-impregnated fibres. The part includes, for example, at least one internal separation of the tube into several conduits that do not communicate with one another. The part is suitable for conveying air flows in opposite or separate directions. One of the conduits can be a dedicated cable raceway.

Abstract: An improved mold for molding composite structures inside the closed cavity of the mold that uses a projecting tool member, a compression plate and at least two side plates located inside an expansion cavity formed in the mold. The mold includes a base made up of two mold sections that when jointed form a partially enclosed mold cavity. Located over the mold cavity are two side plates each with an inside beveled edge. The side parts are aligned inside the expansion cavity so that the two beveled edges are adjacent a form a large V-shape void. The compression plate includes a V-shaped projection that fits into the V-shaped void. The improvement includes a U-shaped, heat expandable boot located between the inside surfaces of the projecting tool member, the inside surfaces of the two side plates, and the inside surfaces of the mold that evenly distributes the external forces and evenly distributes the forces created by expansion during the curing stage to product structures with uniform side walls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a thermoplastic composite part by molding. The method includes making several portions of the part according to a molding method, the molding method including placing, in a mold, a composite material containing fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix, while arranging the material so that the fibers contained therein are oriented along one or more preferred directions; submitting the mold to particular pressure and temperature conditions, knowing that for each of the different portions the fibers may be of different natures and dimensions, and may be oriented in different directions, while the thermoplastic matrix and that of the material used for making the first portion are identical or compatible; and assembling the different portions obtained, placing them in a mold, and submitting the latter to particular pressure and temperature conditions.

Abstract: A connecting rod is composed of two or more assembled shells made of a composite, open over the entire length of the connecting rod. The shells incorporate clevis joints for introducing stress at each of their ends. The shells are produced separately then assembled together to form a sealed section. Each shell is made from a material preimpregnated with long fibres. The production of each shell is simplified due to the overall shape of the shell as a simple curve, thus a shell may be produced industrially, for example, by thermoforming a flat composite preform. The two shells are assembled by simultaneous polymerization of the shells, by bonding, by welding, by riveting or any other assembly process or combination of assembly processes that are compatible with one another. The structural composite connecting rod obtained has very good mechanical properties, especially in compression, with a simple and economic production process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a thermoplastic composite part by molding. The method includes making several portions of the part according to a molding method, the molding method including placing, in a mold, a composite material containing fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix, while arranging the material so that the fibers contained therein are oriented along one or more preferred directions; submitting the mold to particular pressure and temperature conditions, knowing that for each of the different portions the fibers may be of different natures and dimensions, and may be oriented in different directions, while the thermoplastic matrix and that of the material used for making the first portion are identical or compatible; and assembling the different portions obtained, placing them in a mold, and submitting the latter to particular pressure and temperature conditions.

Abstract: A wrinkle control process for manufacturing a closed cross-sectional, composite laminate structure on a male tool cured under temperature and pressure. The process includes the step of creating a plurality of filled or unfilled depressions at strategic locations in the laminate prior to curing. The depressions are created by depression forming elements that have a predetermined size designed to create a depression in under plies, alone or combined with intensification techniques. The depressions may be left unfilled or be partially or completely filled. Depression forming elements are removed after cure or remain part of the structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave phase shifter which is capable, in response to a control signal, of generating either a phase shift that is substantially zero or a phase shift that is substantially equal to .pi.. It comprises a FET that is preferably symmetrical and works in an amplifier assembly. Low-frequency switching-over means make it possible, by reversing the biases at the source and the drain, to invert the FET. This inverting causes a phase shift by .pi. in the microwave signal taken at the output of the circuit.