Abstract: A system for retracting a foil of a watercraft in the event of an impact has a strut extending from a watercraft, the strut has a pivot at one end that connects the strut to the watercraft and allows the strut to articulate around the pivot, a foil attached at a second end of the strut, wherein the foil has sufficient surface area configured to generate positive lift when the watercraft is traveling over water; and a retraction system including a mechanical fuse connected to the strut, the mechanical fuse holds the strut stationary and is subject to forces from the strut when the strut travels through water, the retraction system allows retraction of the strut around the pivot when the strut experiences a force greater than a predetermined limit, and the foil is configured to articulate on the strut to maintain positive lift orientation as the strut is retracting.

Abstract: A system for retracting a foil of a watercraft in the event of an impact has a strut extending from a watercraft, the strut has a pivot at one end that connects the strut to the watercraft and allows the strut to articulate around the pivot, a foil attached at a second end of the strut, wherein the foil has sufficient surface area configured to generate positive lift when the watercraft is traveling over water; and a retraction system including a mechanical fuse connected to the strut, the mechanical fuse holds the strut stationary and is subject to forces from the strut when the strut travels through water, the retraction system allows retraction of the strut around the pivot when the strut experiences a force greater than a predetermined limit, and the foil is configured to articulate on the strut to maintain positive lift orientation as the strut is retracting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming radius fillers for composite structures are disclosed herein. The systems include a sheet-locating structure that has a support surface and a support surface edge. The systems further include a separation device, a conveyance structure, and a layup surface. The methods include locating a sheet of composite material on a first support surface and translating the sheet of composite material such that a first portion of the sheet is supported by the first support surface and a second portion of the sheet extends past the support surface edge. The methods also include separating the second portion of the sheet from the first portion of the sheet to form a strip of composite material. The methods further include conveying the strip of composite material onto a layup surface and repeating the methods to form the radius filler from a plurality of strips of composite material.

Abstract: Methods for forming radius fillers for composite structures are disclosed herein. The methods include locating a sheet of composite material on a first support surface and translating the sheet of composite material such that a first portion of the sheet is supported by the first support surface and a second portion of the sheet extends past the support surface edge. The methods also include supporting the second portion of the sheet with a second support surface and separating the second portion of the sheet from the first portion of the sheet to form a strip of composite material. The methods further include conveying the strip of composite material onto a layup surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming radius fillers for composite structures are disclosed herein. The systems include a sheet-locating structure that has a support surface and a support surface edge. The systems further include a separation device, a conveyance structure, and a layup surface. The methods include locating a sheet of composite material on a first support surface and translating the sheet of composite material such that a first portion of the sheet is supported by the first support surface and a second portion of the sheet extends past the support surface edge. The methods also include separating the second portion of the sheet from the first portion of the sheet to form a strip of composite material. The methods further include conveying the strip of composite material onto a layup surface and repeating the methods to form the radius filler from a plurality of strips of composite material.

Abstract: Methods for forming radius fillers for composite structures are disclosed herein. The methods include locating a sheet of composite material on a first support surface and translating the sheet of composite material such that a first portion of the sheet is supported by the first support surface and a second portion of the sheet extends past the support surface edge. The methods also include supporting the second portion of the sheet with a second support surface and separating the second portion of the sheet from the first portion of the sheet to form a strip of composite material. The methods further include conveying the strip of composite material onto a layup surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming radius fillers for composite structures are disclosed herein. The systems include a sheet-locating structure that has a first support surface and a support surface edge. The systems further include a second support surface, a separation device, a conveyance structure, and a layup surface. The methods include locating a sheet of composite material on a first support surface and translating the sheet of composite material such that a first portion of the sheet is supported by the first support surface and a second portion of the sheet extends past the support surface edge. The methods also include supporting the second portion of the sheet with a second support surface and separating the second portion of the sheet from the first portion of the sheet to form a strip of composite material. The methods further include conveying the strip of composite material onto a layup surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming radius fillers for composite structures are disclosed herein. The systems include a sheet-locating structure that has a first support surface and a support surface edge. The systems further include a second support surface, a separation device, a conveyance structure, and a layup surface. The methods include locating a sheet of composite material on a first support surface and translating the sheet of composite material such that a first portion of the sheet is supported by the first support surface and a second portion of the sheet extends past the support surface edge. The methods also include supporting the second portion of the sheet with a second support surface and separating the second portion of the sheet from the first portion of the sheet to form a strip of composite material. The methods further include conveying the strip of composite material onto a layup surface.