Abstract: A method for forming composite components includes disposing composite laminate over a mandrel. The method further includes infusing the composite laminate with a resin. A gelation of the infused resin is caused by applying a first environmental condition to the composite laminate and mandrel. At least a portion of the mandrel is deformed by applying a second environmental condition to the composite laminate and mandrel. The method further includes forming a composite structure by curing the composite laminate infused with resin. The deformed mandrel is removed from the composite structure after forming the composite structure.

Abstract: An ice protection system is configured for a rotor blade having a leading edge along at least a portion of a spanwise length extending between a root portion and a tip portion. The system has an electric spanwise anti-ice heater configured for placement on the leading edge of the blade and a first electric spanwise de-ice heater adjacent the anti-ice heater and having varying chordwise dimensions. The de-ice heater is configured for placement on an upper surface of the blade or a lower surface of the blade. Electrical connectors for each heater are configured for connection near the root portion of the blade to a source of electrical power.

Abstract: A spar assembly has a spar having a tip comprising a most outboard portion of the spar, a root comprising a most inboard portion of the spar, a main section disposed inboard relative to the tip, and a middle section disposed inboard relative to the main section. The spar also has a transition section disposed between the main section and the middle section and the transition section has an outboard interface cross-sectional shape and an inboard cross-sectional shape that is different than the outboard interface cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A circumcision device is provided by the present invention. The device comprises two jaws configured to crush a foreskin between them along a crush region transverse to a foreskin and transverse to a general direction in which a penis being circumcised extends. The jaws are movable between an open inoperative position and a closed operative position in which a clamping and crushing force may be exerted to promote hemostasis within the crush region. The device includes a cutting assembly capable of traversing and severing a crushed foreskin within or adjacent the crush region. The invention extends to a glans penis protector comprising a handle separable from a transverse glans penis engaging cover so that the handle can be separated from the glans penis engaging cover during a circumcision procedure.

Abstract: A pig cleaning and transportation system is disclosed. Exemplary implementations include a platform with a plurality of apertures; a plurality of securing mechanisms, each mechanism within each aperture and configured to hold a pig and allow it to rotate around its longitudinal axis; a base underneath the platform; and a cleaning element connected to the base and positioned on each longitudinal side of the platform in pressure contact with the pigs on the plurality of securing mechanisms, each cleaning element including at least one cleaning material surface.

Abstract: A pig cleaning and transportation system is disclosed. Exemplary implementations include a platform with a plurality of apertures; a plurality of securing mechanisms, each mechanism within each aperture and configured to hold a pig and allow it to rotate around its longitudinal axis; a base underneath the platform; and a cleaning element connected to the base and positioned on each longitudinal side of the platform in pressure contact with the pigs on the plurality of securing mechanisms, each cleaning element including at least one cleaning material surface.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for two or more cured composite assemblies that are bonded together to form a tubular composite structure, wherein each of the cured composite assemblies do not have a tubular shape. The tubular composite structure may form a spar for an aerodynamic component, for example. The two or more cured composite assemblies may comprise carbon or fiberglass composite materials or a combination of materials. Each of the cured composite assemblies may further comprise axial edges that are configured to be bonded to another of the cured composite assemblies, wherein the axial edges have a sloped shape. An adhesive agent may be applied on the axial edges for bonding two cured composite assemblies. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more fasteners may be used to attach the axial edges of at least two cured composite assemblies.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for two or more cured composite assemblies that are bonded together to form a tubular composite structure, wherein each of the cured composite assemblies do not have a tubular shape. The tubular composite structure may form a spar for an aerodynamic component, for example. The two or more cured composite assemblies may comprise carbon or fiberglass composite materials or a combination of materials. Each of the cured composite assemblies may further comprise axial edges that are configured to be bonded to another of the cured composite assemblies, wherein the axial edges have a sloped shape. An adhesive agent may be applied on the axial edges for bonding two cured composite assemblies. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more fasteners may be used to attach the axial edges of at least two cured composite assemblies.

Abstract: A pig cleaning and transportation system is disclosed. Exemplary implementations include a platform with a plurality of apertures; a plurality of securing mechanisms, each mechanism within each aperture and configured to hold a pig and allow it to rotate around its longitudinal axis; a base underneath the platform; and a cleaning element connected to the base and positioned on each longitudinal side of the platform in pressure contact with the pigs on the plurality of securing mechanisms, each cleaning element including at least one cleaning material surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for protecting an aerodynamic surface from erosion including a screen capable of being applied to a leading edge of the aerodynamic surface; and an erosion protection coating applied to the screen before or after the screen is applied to the leading edge, wherein the erosion protection coating protects the aerodynamic surface from erosion.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for creating a tubular composite structure. In one embodiment, a device comprises multiple layers of cured composite fabric bonded together to form a tubular composite structure, wherein alternating groups of the multiple layers comprise on-axis fabric and off-axis fabric. The tubular composite structure may form a spar for an aerodynamic component. The composite fabric may comprise one or more of carbon, fiberglass, or other composite materials, or a combination of materials. One or more stacks of the fabric wrap completely around the tubular composite structure, and other stacks of fabric may not wrap completely around the tubular composite structure.

Abstract: A circumcision device is provided by the present invention. The device comprises two jaws configured to crush a foreskin between them along a crush region transverse to a foreskin and transverse to a general direction in which a penis being circumcised extends. The jaws are movable between an open inoperative position and a closed operative position in which a clamping and crushing force may be exerted to promote hemostasis within the crush region. The device includes a cutting assembly capable of traversing and severing a crushed foreskin within or adjacent the crush region. The invention extends to a glans penis protector comprising a handle separable from a transverse glans penis engaging cover so that the handle can be separated from the glans penis engaging cover during a circumcision procedure.

Abstract: A circumcision device is provided by the present invention. The device comprises two jaws (1, 2) configured to crush a foreskin (3) between them along a crush region transverse to a foreskin and transverse to a general direction in which a penis being circumcised extends. The jaws are movable between an open inoperative position and a closed operative position in which a clamping and crushing force may be exerted to promote hemostasis within the crush region. The device includes a cutting assembly (7, 8, 9) capable of traversing and severing a crushed foreskin within or adjacent the crush region. The invention to a glans penis protector comprising a handle (41) separable from a transverse glans penis engaging cover (43) so that the handle can be separated from the glans penis engaging cover during a circumcision procedure.

Abstract: A balance weight assembly for a rotor blade of a rotorcraft. The balance weight assembly includes a balance weight pocket formed by a balance weight tray and a cover. The balance weight tray has an upper surface including a lip region extending outwardly from a projected region with an outboard boss. A balance weight receiving cavity is recessed from the upper surface and contains a plurality of balance weights. The projected region is disposed within an opening in a hollow blade spar such that the outboard boss of the balance weight tray has a contact relationship with an outboard surface of the opening. The cover is coupled to the balance weight tray such that the lip region of the balance weight tray and at least a portion of the cover have a clamping relationship with the blade spar, thereby coupling the balance weight pocket to the blade spar.

Abstract: An ice protection system is configured for a rotor blade having a leading edge along at least a portion of a spanwise length extending between a root portion and a tip portion. The system has an electric spanwise anti-ice heater configured for placement on the leading edge of the blade and a first electric spanwise de-ice heater adjacent the anti-ice heater and having varying chordwise dimensions. The de-ice heater is configured for placement on an upper surface of the blade or a lower surface of the blade. Electrical connectors for each heater are configured for connection near the root portion of the blade to a source of electrical power.

Abstract: A rotorcraft includes a main rotor system coupled to a mast and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly includes a yoke comprising a rotor coupling, a first damper mount attached to the rotor coupling, a rotor extension configured to couple to the rotor coupling and comprising a second damper mount, a damper coupled to the first and second damper mounts, and a fairing enclosing the damper and the yoke.

Abstract: The present invention includes a balancing system that includes a weight box, mounted substantially within the rotor-blade spar, flush with a rotor-blade spar outer surface, operably accessible from a rotor-blade tip, and retained within the rotor-blade spar by a weight-box retention pin, one or more weight-box contact surfaces bonded to a rotor-blade-spar inner surface, or a weight-box lip providing a bearing contact with an edge of a spar rotor-blade spar cutout; and a weight package attached to the weight box, the weight package including a weight-box cover, two or more weight guide-rods attached to the weight-box cover, wherein one of the two or more weight guide-rods is positioned forward of a pitch change axis or center of twist and wherein one of the two weight guide-rods is positioned aft of the pitch change axis or center of twist, and one or more balance weights mounted on the weight guide-rods.

Abstract: A link includes an outer composite portion substantially encircling at least two bearing pockets and a central substantially incompressible portion disposed between the at least two bearing pockets.

Abstract: A balance weight assembly for a rotor blade of a rotorcraft. The balance weight assembly includes a balance weight pocket formed by a balance weight tray and a cover. The balance weight tray has an upper surface including a lip region extending outwardly from a projected region with an outboard boss. A balance weight receiving cavity is recessed from the upper surface and contains a plurality of balance weights. The projected region is disposed within an opening in a hollow blade spar such that the outboard boss of the balance weight tray has a contact relationship with an outboard surface of the opening. The cover is coupled to the balance weight tray such that the lip region of the balance weight tray and at least a portion of the cover have a clamping relationship with the blade spar, thereby coupling the balance weight pocket to the blade spar.