Abstract: A composite spring made of a wire of a longitudinal axis curved around a spring axis in a winding direction and a method of fabrication thereof, the spring, the wire comprising a core; and fibers layers wound around the core, and an angular positioning, relative to the spring axis, of each one of the fiber layers being selected, along a length of the core, depending on the winding direction of the wire about the spring axis, to adjust at least one of: high natural frequency of the spring, resistance to buckling and resistance to tensile and compressive stress components induced by a compressive load on the spring.

Abstract: A composite spring made of a wire of a longitudinal axis curved around a spring axis in a winding direction and a method of fabrication thereof, the spring, the wire comprising a core; and fibers layers wound around the core, and an angular positioning, relative to the spring axis, of each one of the fiber layers being selected, along a length of the core, depending on the winding direction of the wire about the spring axis, to adjust at least one of: high natural frequency of the spring, resistance to buckling and resistance to tensile and compressive stress components induced by a compressive load on the spring.

Abstract: A method for remote visual inspection of a target surface of a structure, comprising positioning an inspection unit at a fixed location, the inspection unit comprising a combination of dynamic digital video cameras and an optic supported by a pitch axis of a multi-axis assembly comprising three moveable axis, including a vertical axis, a roll axis connected to the vertical axis, and the pitch axis, the pitch axis being connected to the roll axis; and a controller connected to the combination and the multi-axis assembly; adjusting the positioned inspection relative to the target surface; calibrating a target surface of the structure; taking images of the calibrated surface of the structure, each image including at least position data of the target surface and angular data of the inspection unit; and detecting, in the images, defects on the target surface, and, from the position data and angular data, positioning the defects on the target surface and determining the dimensions of the defects.

Abstract: A method for remote visual inspection of a target surface of a structure, comprising positioning an inspection unit at a fixed location, the inspection unit comprising a combination of dynamic digital video cameras and an optic supported by a pitch axis of a multi-axis assembly comprising three moveable axis, including a vertical axis, a roll axis connected to the vertical axis, and the pitch axis, the pitch axis being connected to the roll axis; and a controller connected to the combination and the multi-axis assembly; adjusting the positioned inspection relative to the target surface; calibrating a target surface of the structure; taking images of the calibrated surface of the structure, each image including at least position data of the target surface and angular data of the inspection unit; and detecting, in the images, defects on the target surface, and, from the position data and angular data, positioning the defects on the target surface and determining the dimensions of the defects.

Abstract: A method and a system for remote visual inspection of a target surface of a structure, the system comprising a multi-axis assembly; a combination of dynamic digital video cameras and optic supported by said multi-axis assembly; and a controller connected to the cameras and the multi-axis assembly; wherein the multi-axis assembly comprises a turret along a vertical axis, the turret being connected at a top part thereof to a first arm extending along a roll axis, the first arm being connected to a second arm along a pitch axis, the cameras and optic being carried by the second arm.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a composite material assembly includes: a) providing an assembly system, b) laying down a first module on a first mold, the first module comprising a first laminate covering a first laminate support structure, c) laying down a second module on a second mold, the second module comprising a second laminate covering a second laminate support structure and extending over the at least one removable insert, d) removing the at least one removable insert from the second mold, and e) assembling the first mold with the second mold while overlapping a section of the second laminate extending over the at least one removable insert over the first laminate.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating a composite material assembly. The components of the assembly originate from more than one mold while providing curing or solidifying under heat and vacuum in one step only, preferably with a composite material in a pre-preg form which does not require autoclave treatment. A removable insert is removed from a second mold prior to assembly of a first mold to the second mold. A section of a laminate extending over the removable insert overlaps over an adjacent laminate after closing and assembly of the first mold onto the second mold.

Abstract: A method and a system for remote visual inspection of a target surface of a structure, the system comprising a multi-axis assembly; a combination of dynamic digital video cameras and optic supported by said multi-axis assembly; and a controller connected to the cameras and the multi-axis assembly; wherein the multi-axis assembly comprises a turret along a vertical axis, the turret being connected at a top part thereof to a first arm extending along a roll axis, the first arm being connected to a second arm along a pitch axis, the cameras and optic being carried by the second arm.

Abstract: A system and method for fabricating a composite material assembly. The components of the assembly originate from more than one mold while providing curing or solidifying under heat and vacuum in one step only, preferably with a composite material in a pre-preg form which does not require autoclave treatment. A removable insert is removed from a second mold prior to assembly of a first mold to the second mold. A section of a laminate extending over the removable insert overlaps over an adjacent laminate after closing and assembly of the first mold onto the second mold.

Abstract: A hockey stick shaft of a generally rectangular cross section and a varying rigidity along its length, from a distal end portion thereof to a proximate end portion thereof, comprising an exterior wall, the exterior wall being locally deformed towards an inside of the shaft, and a method for producing a shaft having a varying rigidity along a length thereof, comprising providing a shaft in a high rigidity composite material, of a generally rectangular cross sectional envelope; and selectively forming at least one embossed groove in at least one surface of the shaft.

Abstract: A hockey stick comprising a shaft portion and a blade portion, the shaft portion including means having preformed stresses to induce a flexural resistance at about mid-span so as to create in the shaft portion induced stresses which are neutralized as stresses are further induced in the shaft portion at impact on the blade portion to thereby provide a stiffer and more rigid shaft portion.

Abstract: An adjustable ergonomic back for a seat is disclosed. The back has a plurality of back cushions, each cushion having at least one adjustment area. It further comprises a structural shell having a plurality of voids therein. A plurality of thin flexible elements are located between the back cushions and the structural shell, each flexible element being attached to the structural shell. Each of the flexible elements has a front surface and a back surface, the front surface being in contact with a respective adjustment area of one of the plurality of back cushions. The back further has a plurality of actuators located between the flexible elements and the structural shell, each of the actuators being in contact with one of the respective back surfaces of the flexible elements and exerting a pressure on the back surface.

Abstract: A hockey stick comprising a shaft portion and a blade portion, the shaft portion including means having preformed stresses to induce a flexural resistance at about mid-span so as to create in the shaft portion induced stresses which are neutralized as stresses are further induced in the shaft portion at impact on the blade portion to thereby provide a stiffer and more rigid shaft portion.

Abstract: There is provided a method for forming joints between components, comprising selecting the components; selecting an ultrasound emitting source; and exposing a region of contact between the components to ultrasounds emitted by the ultrasound emitting source, to form a melted phase, a structural interface at the region of the joint being formed by engagement of the melted phase with the components. The two components may be of similar or dissimilar materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hockey stick shaft having a cross-section and properties varying along a length thereof and to a method for fabrication thereof. The varying cross section defines selected regions of optimized grip for the hands of a player and of optimized rigidity and resistance in torsion of the shaft.

Abstract: There is provided a hockey stick blade and a method of making thereof, wherein the blade is made in a composite material comprising a core formed of light weight material, such as foam, and a fiber braid jacket or tubular prepreg cloth, the core being partially hollow to define longitudinal cavities inside the blade assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to hockey stick shafts having cross-section and properties varying along a length thereof and to a method for fabrication thereof. The varying cross section defines selected regions of optimized grip for the hands of a player and of optimized rigidity and resistance in torsion of the shaft.

Abstract: A shaft and a method of fabricating a shaft for a tool, comprising on at least part of a surface thereof at least one structural sheet comprising at least one of: i) glass fibers, ii) carbon fibers, iii) Kevlar™ fibers and polyester fibers, impregnated with one of: i) a thermoset resin and ii) a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: There is provided a hockey stick blade and a method of making thereof, wherein the blade is made in a composite material comprising a core formed of light weight material, such as foam, and a fiber braid jacket or tubular prepreg cloth, the core being partially hollow to define longitudinal cavities inside the blade assembly.

Abstract: Snowplow equipment is described which is adapted to be mounted to a road vehicle wherein composite materials are used in the construction of all load bearing structural components of the equipment. Each component is lightweight and has inherent damping characteristics to reduce the transmission of road surface vibrations to the vehicle and to reduce power consumption. Essentially, each component is formed of a sandwich construction of wood and of laminates of glass fibers and resin.