Abstract: A deaeration system is disclosed. A preliminary filtration stage is configured to filter particles from and nucleate gas in a fluid stream to create a filtered fluid stream. A primary filtration stage is downstream of the preliminary filtration stage configured to separate the filtered fluid stream into a first liquid stream and an air cavity concentrate stream. A secondary filtration stage is configured to receive the air cavity concentrate stream and separate the air cavity concentrate stream into a second liquid stream and a gas stream.

Abstract: A filter and filter media configured and arranged for placement in a fuel stream is disclosed. The filter and filter media allow for filtering of liquid fuels, such as diesel fuel. In certain embodiments the filter media includes a media fiber, such as melt blown polyester; and a scaffold fiber, also such as melt blown polyester, having a larger diameter than the media fiber. The media and scaffold fibers combine to create a media structure having low solidity and relatively low compressibility, and which contain a pore structure that avoids premature fouling of the filter by fuel degradation products.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite structure include conforming at least one ply of material to a forming surface of a tool having differing features. Apparatuses for forming a composite structure include a forming tool and a material feed assembly configured to hold a supply of material, where the material feed assembly may be configured to pivot the supply of material relative to the forming tool. Composite structures having an at least partially annular shape are formed by an at least partially automated process.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite structure include conforming at least one ply of material to a forming surface of a tool having differing features. Apparatuses for forming a composite structure include a forming tool and a material feed assembly configured to hold a supply of material, where the material feed assembly may be configured to pivot the supply of material relative to the forming tool. Composite structures having an at least partially annular shape are formed by an at least partially automated process.

Abstract: A deaerator includes gas nucleation media and a porous barrier. The deaerator may include growth media between the gas nucleation media and the porous barrier. The deaerator may be part of a system for removing gas from a fluid, where the system includes a tank with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and having a fluid flow path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and where the deaerator is in the fluid flow path. A method for removing gas from a fluid includes passing the fluid through the deaerator defining a fluid flow path.

Abstract: Automated methods of forming composite structures may include applying fibers having various predetermined lengths to a removable backing material to form a net shape or near net shape pattern for forming a composite structure having a varying transverse cross-section. Sheets of composite material may comprise strips of composite material adhered to a backing material in a net shape or near net shape pattern for forming a composite structure with a varying transverse cross-section. Further methods of manufacturing sheets of composite material may comprise applying fibers having various predetermined lengths to a removable backing material in a net shape or near net shape pattern for forming a composite structure having a varying transverse cross-section. Pattern preparation systems may include a material placement device programmed and configured to apply fibers having various predetermined lengths to a removable backing material. Forming systems may include an indicia locating device.

Abstract: A filter material for use in fuel-water separation has a particle filtration layer and a coalescing layer downstream of, and coupled to, the particle filtration layer. The particle filtration layer is substantially constructed of binder fibers and media fibers. The coalescing layer has at least 70% glass fibers by weight. As another example, a filter material for liquid fuels has a particle filtration layer and a coalescing layer downstream of the particle filtration layer. The particle filtration layer has binder fibers and media fibers and is substantially free of meltblown materials. The ratio of air permeability of the particle filtration layer to air permeability of the coalescing layer ranges from about 3:1 to about 15:1.

Abstract: A filter and filter media configured and arranged for placement in a fuel stream is disclosed. The filter and filter media allow for filtering of liquid fuels, such as diesel fuel. In certain embodiments the filter media includes a media fiber (such as glass) and a binder fiber (such as bicomponent) that combine to create a media structure having low solidity and relatively low compressibility, and which contain a pore structure that avoids premature fouling of the filter by fuel degradation products.

Abstract: A filter material for use in fuel-water separation has a particle filtration layer and a coalescing layer downstream of, and coupled to, the particle filtration layer. The particle filtration layer is substantially constructed of binder fibers and media fibers. The coalescing layer has at least 70% glass fibers by weight. As another example, a filter material for liquid fuels has a particle filtration layer and a coalescing layer downstream of the particle filtration layer. The particle filtration layer has binder fibers and media fibers and is substantially free of meltblown materials. The ratio of air permeability of the particle filtration layer to air permeability of the coalescing layer ranges from about 3:1 to about 15:1.

Abstract: A filter and filter media configured and arranged for placement in a fuel stream is disclosed. The filter and filter media allow for filtering of liquid fuels, such as diesel fuel. In certain embodiments the filter media includes a media fiber (such as glass) and a binder fiber (such as bicomponent) that combine to create a media structure having low solidity and relatively low compressibility, and which contain a pore structure that avoids premature fouling of the filter by fuel degradation products.

Abstract: A deaeration system is disclosed. A preliminary filtration stage is configured to filter particles from and nucleate gas in a fluid stream to create a filtered fluid stream. A primary filtration stage is downstream of the preliminary filtration stage configured to separate the filtered fluid stream into a first liquid stream and an air cavity concentrate stream. A secondary filtration stage is configured to receive the air cavity concentrate stream and separate the air cavity concentrate stream into a second liquid stream and a gas stream.

Abstract: A deaerator includes gas nucleation media and a porous barrier. The deaerator may include growth media between the gas nucleation media and the porous barrier. The deaerator may be part of a system for removing gas from a fluid, where the system includes a tank with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and having a fluid flow path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and where the deaerator is in the fluid flow path. A method for removing gas from a fluid includes passing the fluid through the deaerator defining a fluid flow path.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-in-water purification system includes a high capacity hydrocarbon absorber stage having a high capacity hydrocarbon absorber material and an inlet configured to receive a hydrocarbon-in-water dispersion from a fuel system. A polishing hydrocarbon absorber stage is in liquid communication and downstream of the high capacity hydrocarbon absorber stage including polishing activated carbon. The high capacity hydrocarbon absorber material has a greater saturation capacity than the polishing activated carbon and the polishing activated carbon has a greater polishing capacity than the high capacity hydrocarbon absorber material. A method for controlling and managing the evacuation of water from the hydrocarbon-in-water purification system includes tracking the purification state of water volumes and the bed loading states of purification beds defined in the water filter.

Abstract: A filter and filter media configured and arranged for placement in a fuel stream is disclosed. The filter and filter media allow for filtering of liquid fuels, such as diesel fuel. In certain embodiments the filter media includes a media fiber, such as melt blown polyester; and a scaffold fiber, also such as such as melt blown polyester, having a larger diameter than the media fiber. The media and scaffold fibers combine to create a media structure having low solidity and relatively low compressibility, and which contain a pore structure that avoids premature fouling of the filter by fuel degradation products.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite structure include conforming at least one ply of material to a forming surface of a tool having differing features. Apparatuses for forming a composite structure include a forming tool and a material feed assembly configured to hold a supply of material, where the material feed assembly may be configured to pivot the supply of material relative to the forming tool. Composite structures having an at least partially annular shape are formed by an at least partially automated process.

Abstract: Methods of forming a composite structure include conforming at least one ply of material to a forming surface of a tool having differing features. Apparatuses for forming a composite structure include a forming tool and a material feed assembly configured to hold a supply of material, where the material feed assembly may be configured to pivot the supply of material relative to the forming tool. Composite structures having an at least partially annular shape are formed by an at least partially automated process.

Abstract: Material preparation devices and related methods include a material or substrate assembly and an application assembly for applying a fiber material.

Abstract: The current technology relates to substrate treatments, treated substrates, and filters. Treated substrates can have a treated surface that defines a pattern and/or gradient among untreated surface areas. A treated surface area can have a higher roll off angle for a 50 ?L water droplet when the surface is immersed in toluene that the untreated surface areas. Substrates can be treated by, for example, exposing a substrate surface and/or fibers to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation can be applied to surfaces via a mask, lens, waveguide, reflector, as examples. UV radiation can be applied to surfaces at varying intensities, which can create a treatment gradient.

Abstract: A composite structure having at least one radially extending part is provided. The composite structure is formed with ply layers. At least one of the ply layers used to form the radially extending part has fibers oriented at an angle offset from an edge of the at least one ply layer.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-in-water purification system includes a high capacity hydrocarbon absorber stage having a high capacity hydrocarbon absorber material and an inlet configured to receive a hydrocarbon-in-water dispersion from a fuel system. A polishing hydrocarbon absorber stage is in liquid communication and downstream of the high capacity hydrocarbon absorber stage including polishing activated carbon. The high capacity hydrocarbon absorber material has a greater saturation capacity than the polishing activated carbon and the polishing activated carbon has a greater polishing capacity than the high capacity hydrocarbon absorber material. A method for controlling and managing the evacuation of water from the hydrocarbon-in-water purification system includes tracking the purification state of water volumes and the bed loading states of purification beds defined in the water filter.