Abstract: A composite wheel structure includes a single continuous fiber reinforcement layer extending axially between inner and outer ends of the wheel structure. The single fiber reinforcement layer is impregnated with different matrix materials at different axial portions of the reinforcement layer to account for specific locations where high strength or high temperature performance is needed, with other portions having different matrix materials where low temperature performance and/or low strength is sufficient. The matrix materials may be provided as separate resin films that are applied side-by-side on the single reinforcement layer, or they may be provided on a single resin film. The matrix materials may be applied to the reinforcement layer in a direct coating process. The reinforcement layer may be prepregged with the matrix materials prior to a wheel layup process, or the reinforcement layer and matrix materials may be consolidated by resin film infusion during the wheel layup process.

Abstract: A composite wheel assembly and method of fabricating the same is provided. The wheel assembly includes a composite wheel rim, a wheel center, and a plurality of attachment fasteners for attaching the wheel center to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes a plurality of attachment inserts that are configured to selectively engage with respective attachment fasteners. Each attachment insert is encapsulated by a plurality of composite layers of the wheel rim or is otherwise secured to the wheel rim. The attachment inserts extend from and/or are positioned within a drop well region of the wheel rim. The method of fabricating the wheel assembly includes forming first and second preforms and positioning the same onto a mold assembly. The method further includes positioning the attachment inserts between the first and second preforms such that the attachment inserts are secured therebetween.

Abstract: A composite wheel assembly and method of fabricating the same is provided. The wheel assembly includes a composite wheel rim, a wheel center, and a plurality of attachment fasteners for attaching the wheel center to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes a plurality of attachment inserts that are configured to selectively engage with respective attachment fasteners. Each attachment insert is encapsulated by a plurality of composite layers of the wheel rim or is otherwise secured to the wheel rim. The attachment inserts extend from and/or are positioned within a drop well region of the wheel rim. The method of fabricating the wheel assembly includes forming first and second preforms and positioning the same onto a mold assembly. The method further includes positioning the attachment inserts between the first and second preforms such that the attachment inserts are secured therebetween.

Abstract: A composite wheel structure includes a single continuous fiber reinforcement layer extending axially between inner and outer ends of the wheel structure. The single fiber reinforcement layer is impregnated with different matrix materials at different axial portions of the reinforcement layer to account for specific locations where high strength or high temperature performance is needed, with other portions having different matrix materials where low temperature performance and/or low strength is sufficient. The matrix materials may be provided as separate resin films that are applied side-by-side on the single reinforcement layer, or they may be provided on a single resin film. The matrix materials may be applied to the reinforcement layer in a direct coating process. The reinforcement layer may be prepregged with the matrix materials prior to a wheel layup process, or the reinforcement layer and matrix materials may be consolidated by resin film infusion during the wheel layup process.

Abstract: A composite wheel assembly and method of fabricating the same is provided. The wheel assembly includes a composite wheel rim, a wheel center, and a plurality of attachment fasteners for attaching the wheel center to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes a plurality of attachment inserts that are configured to selectively engage with respective attachment fasteners. Each attachment insert is encapsulated by a plurality of composite layers of the wheel rim or is otherwise secured to the wheel rim. The attachment inserts extend from and/or are positioned within a drop well region of the wheel rim. The method of fabricating the wheel assembly includes forming first and second preforms and positioning the same onto a mold assembly. The method further includes positioning the attachment inserts between the first and second preforms such that the attachment inserts are secured therebetween.

Abstract: A composite wheel assembly and method of fabricating the same is provided. The wheel assembly includes a composite wheel rim, a wheel center, and a plurality of attachment fasteners for attaching the wheel center to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes a plurality of attachment inserts that are configured to selectively engage with respective attachment fasteners. Each attachment insert is encapsulated by a plurality of composite layers of the wheel rim or is otherwise secured to the wheel rim. The attachment inserts extend from and/or are positioned within a drop well region of the wheel rim. The method of fabricating the wheel assembly includes forming first and second preforms and positioning the same onto a mold assembly. The method further includes positioning the attachment inserts between the first and second preforms such that the attachment inserts are secured therebetween.

Abstract: The computer-implemented virtual game-based method and system of the present invention allow participants to play incentive-based virtual games and accept or decline offered prizes. Declining an offered prize allows a participant to play for a more desirable price and accepting a prize prohibits the participant from accepting another prize for the duration of a temporal lock out period. Individual single use virtual games are issued electronically to participants requesting to play a virtual game. Prizes are offered by each single use virtual game in accordance with pre-generated single use virtual game tickets commanding the presentation of an offered prize or non-offered prize. Some embodiments of the present invention deliver branded advertising to consumers participating in game play. In these embodiments, virtual game elements comprise branded advertising impressions as part of the interactive virtual game.

Abstract: The computer-implemented virtual game-based method and system of the present invention allow participants to play incentive-based virtual games and accept or decline offered prizes. Declining an offered prize allows a participant to play for a more desirable price and accepting a prize prohibits the participant from accepting another prize for the duration of a temporal lock out period. Individual single use virtual games are issued electronically to participants requesting to play a virtual game. Prizes are offered by each single use virtual game in accordance with pre-generated single use virtual game tickets commanding the presentation of an offered prize or non-offered prize. Some embodiments of the present invention deliver branded advertising to consumers participating in game play. In these embodiments, virtual game elements comprise branded advertising impressions as part of the interactive virtual game.

Abstract: The computer-implemented virtual game-based method and system of the present invention allow participants to play incentive-based virtual games and accept or decline offered prizes. Declining an offered prize allows a participant to play for a more desirable prize and accepting a prize prohibits the participant from accepting another prize for the duration of a temporal lock out period. Individual single use virtual games are issued electronically to participants requesting to play a virtual game. Prizes are offered by each single use virtual game in accordance with pre-generated single use virtual game tickets commanding the presentation of an offered prize or non-offered prize. Some embodiments of the present invention deliver branded advertising to consumers participating in game play. In these embodiments, virtual game elements comprise branded advertising impressions as part of the interactive virtual game.