Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making a rotor blade spar from composite material wherein a multi-component mandrel is used to form the composite spar. The mandrel is made using a number of components that are assembled and held in place using a roller assembly. The roller assembly is removed after pre-cure lay up and compaction of the composite material. Once the roller assembly is removed, the remaining mandrel components can be separated from each other and easily removed from the spar. The mandrel components, including the roller assembly, can then be re-assembled and re-used to form additional composite spars.

Abstract: An electrical module assembly used in a surge arrester is manufactured by wrapping an electrical module assembly including at least one metal oxide varistor (MOV) disk to which a reinforcing structure including a pre-impregnated epoxy/glass-fiber composite has been applied with shrink film and compacting the wrapped electrical module assembly by heating the shrink film such that the shrink film shrinks and applies a radially compressive force to the electrical module assembly. The wrapped electrical module assembly then is cured at a temperature at which the shrink film no longer applies a compressive force.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making a rotor blade spar from composite material wherein a multi-component mandrel is used to form the composite spar. The mandrel is made using a number of components that are assembled and held in place using a roller assembly. The roller assembly is removed after pre-cure lay up and compaction of the composite material. Once the roller assembly is removed, the remaining mandrel components can be separated from each other and easily removed from the spar. The mandrel components, including the roller assembly, can then be re-assembled and re-used to form additional composite spars.

Abstract: An electrical module assembly used in a surge arrester is manufactured by wrapping an electrical module assembly including at least one metal oxide varistor (MOV) disk to which a reinforcing structure including a pre-impregnated epoxy/glass-fiber composite has been applied with shrink film and compacting the wrapped electrical module assembly by heating the shrink film such that the shrink film shrinks and applies a radially compressive force to the electrical module assembly. The wrapped electrical module assembly then is cured at a temperature at which the shrink film no longer applies a compressive force.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making a rotor blade spar from composite material wherein a multi-component mandrel is used to form the composite spar. The mandrel is made using a number of components that are assembled and held in place using a roller assembly. The roller assembly is removed after pre-cure lay up and compaction of the composite material. Once the roller assembly is removed, the remaining mandrel components can be separated from each other and easily removed from the spar. The mandrel components, including the roller assembly, can then be re-assembled and re-used to form additional composite spars.

Abstract: An electrical module assembly used in a surge arrester is manufactured by wrapping an electrical module assembly including at least one metal oxide varistor (MOV) disk to which a reinforcing structure including a pre-impregnated epoxy/glass-fiber composite has been applied with shrink film and compacting the wrapped electrical module assembly by heating the shrink film such that the shrink film shrinks and applies a radially compressive force to the electrical module assembly. The wrapped electrical module assembly then is cured at a temperature at which the shrink film no longer applies a compressive force.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making a rotor blade spar from composite material wherein a multi-component mandrel is used to form the composite spar. The mandrel is made using a number of components that are assembled and held in place using a roller assembly. The roller assembly is removed after pre-cure lay up and compaction of the composite material. Once the roller assembly is removed, the remaining mandrel components can be separated from each other and easily removed from the spar. The mandrel components, including the roller assembly, can then be re-assembled and re-used to form additional composite spars.

Abstract: A fuse includes an electrical assembly and a fuse tube assembly. The electrical assembly has two electrical contacts accessible from the exterior of the fuse and a fuse element in contact with the two electrical contacts. The fuse tube assembly includes a support structure surrounding at least a portion of the electrical assembly and a reinforcing structure formed over the support structure and in contact with at least a portion of the electrical assembly. The reinforcing structure is made of a fiber matrix pre-impregnated with a resin.

Abstract: A fuse includes an electrical assembly and a fuse tube assembly. The electrical assembly has two electrical contacts accessible from the exterior of the fuse and a fuse element in contact with the two electrical contacts. The fuse tube assembly includes a support structure surrounding at least a portion of the electrical assembly and a reinforcing structure formed over the support structure and in contact with at least a portion of the electrical assembly. The reinforcing structure is made of a fiber matrix pre-impregnated with a resin.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of {fraction (4/10)} microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.

Abstract: A method of joining an end face of a first electric component to an end face of a second electric component includes applying a first metal layer to the end face of the first electric component to form a first metallized layer and applying a second metal layer to the end face of the second electric component to form a second metallized layer. A first fusible alloy layer is applied to the first metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy onto the first metallized layer, and a second fusible alloy layer is applied to the second metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy to the second metallized layer. The method further includes contacting the first fusible alloy layer to the second fusible alloy layer. Next, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are heated to melt the fusible alloy layers. After heating, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are cooled to form a bond between the end faces.

Abstract: A method of joining an end face of a first electric component to an end face of a second electric component includes applying a first metal layer to the end face of the first electric component to form a first metallized layer and applying a second metal layer to the end face of the second electric component to form a second metallized layer. A first fusible alloy layer is applied to the first metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy onto the first metallized layer, and a second fusible alloy layer is applied to the second metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy to the second metallized layer. The method further includes contacting the first fusible alloy layer to the second fusible alloy layer. Next, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are heated to melt the fusible alloy layers. After heating, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are cooled to form a bond between the end faces.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of 4/10 microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.

Abstract: A surge arrester includes a stack of components having at least one varistor. Each component has end faces, at least one of which is mechanically bonded to an end face of another component such that the combined components of the stack define a single, monolithic structure that serves as both an electrically-active element and a mechanical support element of the surge arrester. The surge arrester also includes an insulative housing surrounding the stack of components. The stack of components is capable of withstanding current pulses having magnitudes of 65 kA and durations of 4/10 microseconds without significant degradation in operating performance of the stack of components.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive and mechanically-compliant joint is formed between a pair of electrical components. The joint is positioned between a lower face of a first electrical component and an upper face of a second electrical component. The Young's modulus of the joint is less than approximately half that of the Young's modulus of the electrical components.

Abstract: A method of joining an end face of a first electric component to an end face of a second electric component includes applying a first metal layer to the end face of the first electric component to form a first metallized layer and applying a second metal layer to the end face of the second electric component to form a second metallized layer. A first fusible alloy layer is applied to the first metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy onto the first metallized layer, and a second fusible alloy layer is applied to the second metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy to the second metallized layer. The method further includes contacting the first fusible alloy layer to the second fusible alloy layer. Next, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are heated to melt the fusible alloy layers. After heating, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are cooled to form a bond between the end faces.

Abstract: A surge arrester module having an array of MOV's and other components includes an insulative coating (16) for applying an axially compressive force to the stacked array. The component stack (20), while held in an axially compressed condition, receives the insulative casing that includes thermosetting resin that, when cured, has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than that of the components of the stack. The coated stack is then cured at a temperature that exceeds the maximum expected temperature that will be experienced by the arrester components. Upon cooling, the components of the array are held in compression and adequate electrical contact with each other is maintained by the casing. Fiberglass strands (24, 28) are included in the casing for reinforcement and cantilever strength. A method of manufacturing the module is also disclosed.

Abstract: An accessory device attachable to a vehicle for pumping gasoline from the attached vehicle into a portable tank or into the gasoline tank of a disabled vehicle. The device includes a flexible hose permanently connected by a valve to the supply tube in the attached vehicle leading from the gasoline pump to the carburetor of the vehicle; together with a fixture mountable in the interior of fender of the attached vehicle about which the hose may be wound, when not in use. A valved outlet nozzle is mounted to the free end of the hose. The valve unit joining the hose to the vehicle supply tube is in the form of a tee connection with a rotatable valve cock that serves to connect the supply tube from the pump only to the carburetor tube or alternately to join the supply tube to both the carburetor tube and to the flexible hose.