Abstract: A composite item is fabricated in system that includes a layer of preform, supply of resin, mandrel, and bagging film. The layer of preform corresponds to the composite item. The supply of resin is sufficient to infuse the preform. The mandrel includes a preform receiving zone to receive the layer of preform and a resin receiving zone to receive the supply of resin. The resin receiving zone is adjacent to the preform receiving zone. The bagging film is operable to generate an envelope surrounding the preform receiving zone and the resin receiving zone.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a laminated composite body including a metal foil and a plurality of fiber plies. The method includes perforating a sheet of metal foil, stacking the perforated metal foil sheet and the plurality of fiber plies in face to face relation in a predetermined order and orientation, and infusing resin into the stacked sheet and plies so that resin flows through the perforations in the metal foil sheet and intersperses between the plurality of fiber plies to form the laminated composite body.

Abstract: A launcher body defining with breech therein for receiving a projectile is provided. The breech defines a breech longitudinal axis through the center thereof. A feed tube is connected to the launcher body and defines a projectile feed bore. The projectile feed bore includes a projectile feed bore longitudinal axis through the center thereof. The breech longitudinal axis and the projectile feed bore longitudinal axis are configured to be offset from and not to intersect each other. A projectile is routed through the feed bore, such as from a hopper using gravity, and into the breech. The center axis of the projectile is substantially aligned with the breech longitudinal axis so that the projectile is prevented from bouncing back into the feed bore to avoid jamming of the projectile during firing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing fiber-reinforced resin parts are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin part includes positioning a plurality of fibers on a mold surface of a female tool, and covering the fibers with a sealing layer. The method further includes pressing a portion of the covered fibers against an interior transition region (e.g., an internal radius) of the mold surface. While the portion of covered fibers is pressed against the interior transition region, air is removed from between the sealing layer and the mold surface to draw at least a partial vacuum between the sealing layer and the mold surface.

Abstract: A paintball marker (12) has an air powered generator (10) to provide electrical power. A compressed gas conduit (18) is connected to the marker body (12) with compressed gas flowing therethrough. The gas flow is converted to electricity, such as by an impeller (52) that is mounted to a first end of a rotating shaft (48) with a magnet (50) mounted to a second end of a rotating shaft (48) with a coil (45) positioned proximal to the magnet (50) to create electricity upon rotation of the shaft (48) due to flow of compressed gas past the impeller (52). The created electricity can be used to power electrically powered components on board the marker (12) or recharge batteries (24) therein.

Abstract: The method of firing a paintball marker uses a grip frame 21 replaces an existing grip frame 1 on a paintball marker in order to convert said paintball marker from a mechanically operated paintball marker into an electro-pneumatic paintball marker. The electronic grip frame 21 utilises an optical sensor in order to detect the operation of a trigger 29 and a second optical sensor to detect the presence of objects within the breech of the paintball marker. Electrical signals from these sensors are taken to an electronic circuit board 24, which controls the operation of two solenoids (one shown 26) in order to fire and re-cock the paintball marker. A user interface comprising pushbuttons 12, 13, 14 and a multi-character display 16, allows the user to define how the grip frame 21 functions.

Abstract: By evacuating the resin feed tank to a pressure below atmospheric pressure, employing cyclic compaction, and controlling the net compaction pressure, we are better able to control a resin infusion process, particularly a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process, and produce aerospace-grade fiber-reinforced resin composite having fiber volume fractions and tool-side surface finishes comparable to or exceeding those made using an autoclave.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a laminated composite body including a metal foil and a plurality of fiber plies. The method includes perforating a sheet of metal foil, stacking the perforated metal foil sheet and the plurality of fiber plies in face to face relation in a predetermined order and orientation, and infusing resin into the stacked sheet and plies so that resin flows through the perforations in the metal foil sheet and intersperses between the plurality of fiber plies to form the laminated composite body.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fiber matrix composite structure including assembling a plurality of plies of fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix material on a mandrel; engaging an ultrasonic horn with the top surface of uppermost ply; and orienting the horn at an acute angle with respect to the top surface and energizing the horn to inducing a shear force in the plies to heat and consolidate the plies.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fiber matrix composite structure including assembling a plurality of plies of fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix material on a mandrel; engaging an ultrasonic horn with the top surface of uppermost ply; and orienting the horn at an acute angle with respect to the top surface and energizing the horn to inducing a shear force in the plies to heat and consolidate the plies.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermosetting matrix, fiber reinforced composite structure wherein a stack of fiber reinforced thermosetting material plies are assembled; an ultrasonic horn is engaged with a top surface of the upper most ply, oriented at an acute angle with respect to the top surface, and energized to induce a shear wave in the plies to heat the plies. The horn is moved along the upper most ply to consolidate the plies and the energy level applied to the horn is sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the thermoset resin to the point where the plies can be debulked but not high enough to fully cross-link the resin so that another ply can still be fully cross-linked to the uppermost ply. Pressure is applied to the plies as the horn moves to debulk the plies.

Abstract: 2-Iminothiazoline derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## and the corresponding 4,5-dihydro counterparts, wherein the respective meanings of the symbols are set forth in the specification, useful as insecticides and acaricides.