Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing fiber composite parts from a raw fiber tow to a finished composite part in a single continuous process are provided. The apparatus includes a continuous tow, a preheater/spreader to receive and spread the tow, an injection molding die downstream from the preheater/spreader to form an extrudate filament, a cooler downstream from the injection molding die, a forming die downstream from the cooler to pultrude and shape the cross-section of the extrudate filament, a preformer downstream from the forming die to heat and cut the extrudate filament to create preforms, a compression mold downstream from the preformer to form a finished fiber composite part, and a pick-and-place system to continuously pick each preform from the preformer and place each preform into the compression mold.

Abstract: A method of reprocessing a fiber composite part to form a preform is provided including determining a location having a longest stretch of continuous, unidirectional fibers in the part, determining an axis generally closest to and parallel to the fibers at the location, suspending the part from an anchor point within a heated cavity, heating the part to a temperature above a glass transition temperature and below a melting temperature of the resin of the part, and applying at least one force vector to the composite part, the sum of such vectors being parallel to the axis, wherein fibers of the part realign in a direction generally parallel to the sum of the force vectors, and wherein the composite part yields in the direction of the at least one applied force vector to provide a preform.

Abstract: A preform charge is formed by forming an assemblage of preforms, wherein preforms in the assemblage are bonded to a neighboring preform such that the preform charge effectively becomes a single unit. The preform charge can then be added to a mold to fabricate a part via compression molding.

Abstract: Rib-and-sheet structures include a rib comprising continuous, aligned fibers. The rib is fabricated via compression molding from continuous, aligned fiber, thereby providing an aligned, continuously reinforced rib. In one embodiment, rib-and-sheet structures are produced in a two-step compression-molding process, wherein a near net-shape rib is molded, in a first mold, from fiber-bundle based preforms, and then a rib-and-sheet part is molded by placing, in a second mold, the rib with either: (i) a preformed sheet, (ii) plies that form a laminate/sheet or (iii) chopped fibers that form a sheet during the molding process. In another embodiment, rib-and-sheet structures are fabricated in a one-step compression-molding process, wherein fiber-bundle-based preforms and (i) a preformed sheet, (ii) plies that form a laminate/sheet, or (iii) chopped fibers are combined in a single mold and molded in a single step.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a part includes a plunger cavity, a plunger, and a mold cavity, wherein the plunger is oriented out-of-plane with respect to a major surface of the mold cavity, and first and second vents couples to respective first and second portions of the mold cavity. In a method, resin and fiber are forced into the mold cavity from a plunger cavity, and at least some of the fibers and resin are preferentially flowed to certain region in the mold cavity via the use of vents.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a part includes a plunger cavity, a plunger, and a mold cavity, wherein the plunger is oriented out-of-plane with respect to a major surface of the mold cavity, and first and second vents couples to respective first and second portions of the mold cavity. In a method, resin and fiber are forced into the mold cavity from a plunger cavity, and at least some of the fibers and resin are preferentially flowed to certain region in the mold cavity via the use of vents.

Abstract: A method for forming fiber-reinforced composite parts via compression molding, particularly useful for forming parts that include off-axis, out-of-plane, or small, intricate features. In accordance with the method, non-flowing continuous fiber bundles and flowing continuous fiber bundles are placed in a mold, wherein the flowing continuous fiber bundles are disposed proximal to a minor feature. The non-flowing bundle has a length about equal to the length of a major feature of the mold. The flowing bundle has a length that is somewhat longer than the length of the minor feature. Under heat and pressure, resin softens and fibers from the flowing continuous fiber bundles flow into the minor feature.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a produce tray with agricultural produce includes a tray loading station with a fill hopper for receiving the agricultural produce, a produce compression station including at least one tuck finger platen, and a conveyer including a plurality of tray carriers for moving the produce tray from the tray loading station to the produce compression station. Some embodiments of the invention also include a split chute for transferring the agricultural produce from the fill hopper to the produce tray and a trolley for selectively positioning the split chute under the fill hopper or tuck finger platen. Another embodiment of the invention includes a tuck finger platen for compressing agricultural produce near the center of the tray less than agricultural produce near the interior walls of the produce tray. Yet another embodiment of the invention includes steps in a method for loading agricultural produce into a produce tray.

Abstract: A structural support beam having a top wall joined to a side wall at an angle substantially different from a right angle. When installed in a facility or machine with the side wall parallel to a vertical reference, no surface on the support beam is parallel to a horizontal reference, thereby providing for rapid and thorough draining of water deposited on any surface of the beam. Some beam embodiments place the top wall at an angle of about twenty degrees above a horizontal reference when the beam is installed. Alternatively, the top wall may be at an angle of about twenty degrees below the horizontal reference. Some beam embodiments have an open side. Alternatively, a bottom wall may be attached to a side wall to form a tubular support beam. A support beam may include a lower beam joined to an upper beam by a connector bar.

Abstract: A structural support beam having a top wall joined to a side wall at an angle substantially different from a right angle. When installed in a facility or machine with the side wall parallel to a vertical reference, no surface on the support beam is parallel to a horizontal reference, thereby providing for rapid and thorough draining of water deposited on any surface of the beam. Some beam embodiments place the top wall at an angle of about twenty degrees above a horizontal reference when the beam is installed. Alternatively, the top wall may be at an angle of about twenty degrees below the horizontal reference. Some beam embodiments have an open side. Alternatively, a bottom wall may be attached to a side wall to form a tubular support beam. A support beam may include a lower beam joined to an upper beam by a connector bar.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a produce tray with agricultural produce includes a tray loading station with a fill hopper for receiving the agricultural produce, a produce compression station including at least one tuck finger platen, and a conveyer including a plurality of tray carriers for moving the produce tray from the tray loading station to the produce compression station. Some embodiments of the invention also include a split chute for transferring the agricultural produce from the fill hopper to the produce tray and a trolley for selectively positioning the split chute under the fill hopper or tuck finger platen. Another embodiment of the invention includes a tuck finger platen for compressing agricultural produce near the center of the tray less than agricultural produce near the interior walls of the produce tray. Yet another embodiment of the invention includes steps in a method for loading agricultural produce into a produce tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a produce tray with agricultural produce includes a tray loading station with a fill hopper for receiving the agricultural produce, a produce compression station including at least one tuck finger platen, and a conveyer including a plurality of tray carriers for moving the produce tray from the tray loading station to the produce compression station. Some embodiments of the invention also include a split chute for transferring the agricultural produce from the fill hopper to the produce tray and a trolley for selectively positioning the split chute under the fill hopper or tuck finger platen. Another embodiment of the invention includes a tuck finger platen for compressing agricultural produce near the center of the tray less than agricultural produce near the interior walls of the produce tray. Yet another embodiment of the invention includes steps in a method for loading agricultural produce into a produce tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a produce tray with agricultural produce includes a tray loading station with a fill hopper for receiving the agricultural produce, a produce compression station including at least one tuck finger platen, and a conveyer including a plurality of tray carriers for moving the produce tray from the tray loading station to the produce compression station. Some embodiments of the invention also include a split chute for transferring the agricultural produce from the fill hopper to the produce tray and a trolley for selectively positioning the split chute under the fill hopper or tuck finger platen. Another embodiment of the invention includes a tuck finger platen for compressing agricultural produce near the center of the tray less than agricultural produce near the interior walls of the produce tray. Yet another embodiment of the invention includes steps in a method for loading agricultural produce into a produce tray.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for use with many kinds of objects, but is particularly suited for use in drying most kinds of produce and vegetables including leaf vegetables. In one embodiment, the dryer includes a canted drum design which provides a number of benefits and advantages over prior art designs. The canted design allows the use of a spin drying method that breaks up clumps of material in the dryer and assists in the even distribution of material, thereby improving load balance. The canted design provides ergonomic advantages to the operator when loading and unloading the dryer, and, the canted design allows easy access to the drive system for maintenance and repairs.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for use with many kinds of objects, but is particularly suited for use in drying most kinds of produce and vegetables including leaf vegetables. In one embodiment, the dryer includes a canted drum design which provides a number of benefits and advantages over prior art designs. The canted design allows the use of a spin drying method that breaks up clumps of material in the dryer and assists in the even distribution of material, thereby improving load balance. The canted design provides ergonomic advantages to the operator when loading and unloading the dryer, and, the canted design allows easy access to the drive system for maintenance and repairs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric motor comprising a piezoelectric component that is connected to a resonator and a two-dimensional resonator that interacts with a movable element, the resonator having principal surfaces that are parallel to each other and that are also identical in shape and size. The invention further relates to methods for producing such piezoelectric motors, wherein the resonators are manufactured by cutting a profiled, extruded bar into lengths or by cutting, preferably by punching, from sheet metal having constant thickness. Finally, this invention relates to a method for exciting such a piezoelectric motor, wherein the excitation frequency or frequencies is/are generated by the control electronics as a function of time in response to the respective peak current and/or in response to the respective phase minimum between current and voltage and/or in response to the change in phase.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor has a piezoelectric element that is connected to a resonator, and a driven element that interacts with the piezoelectric motor. During the service life of the motor and resonator at least one operating state variable changes, and the change in operating variable is used to help avoid failure of the piezoelectric motor.

Abstract: A single piezoelectric is excited at a first frequency to cause two vibration modes in a resonator producing a first elliptical motion in a first direction at a selected contacting portion of the resonator that is placed in frictional engagement with a driven element to move the driven element in a first direction. A second frequency excites the same piezoelectric to cause two vibration modes of the resonator producing a second elliptical motion in a second direction at the selected contacting portion to move the driven element in a second direction. The piezoelectric is preloaded in compression by the resonator. Walls of the resonator are stressed past their yield point to maintain the preload. Specially shaped ends on the piezoelectric help preloading. The piezoelectric can send or receive vibratory signals through the driven element to or from sensors to determine the position of the driven element relative to the piezoelectric element or resonator.

Abstract: A drying apparatus for use with many kinds of objects, but is particularly suited for use in drying most kinds of produce and vegetables including leaf vegetables. In one embodiment, the dryer includes a canted drum design which provides a number of benefits and advantages over prior art designs. The canted design allows the use of a spin drying method that breaks up clumps of material in the dryer and assists in the even distribution of material, thereby improving load balance. The canted design provides ergonomic advantages to the operator when loading and unloading the dryer, and, the canted design allows easy access to the drive system for maintenance and repairs.

Abstract: The present invention is a dryer for use with solid-form objects suitable for a continuous process production environment, such as some kinds of produce and vegetables. The apparatus uses a variable-speed accelerator belt to rapidly load objects. The dryer has a domed shaped retaining door to force objects to the perimeter of the perforated spinning drum. In operation the apparatus uses a method to vary the speed of the accelerator belt to accomplish even self-balanced stacking of the objects within the drum. The method also includes varying the drum rotation speed from a slow rotation during loading, permitting self-balancing of the contents of the drum, to a higher drying speed that extracts liquid from the objects.