Abstract: Systems and methods are described where a volume receiving a liquid matrix and fibers at an inlet where opposing sides of the volume converge to form a gap and a moving surface in contact with the liquid matrix and the fibers and moving with respect to the liquid matrix and the fibers through the gap such that shear force is transferred to the liquid matrix and the fibers pushing the liquid matrix and the fibers forward through the gap, creating currents in the liquid matrix and increasing pressure. The increased pressure within the volume forms a barrier to entrained gases within the liquid matrix such that the entrained gases are inhibited from passing through the gap along with the liquid matrix and the fibers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described where a volume receiving a liquid matrix and fibers at an inlet where opposing sides of the volume converge to form a gap and a moving surface in contact with the liquid matrix and the fibers and moving with respect to the liquid matrix and the fibers through the gap such that shear force is transferred to the liquid matrix and the fibers pushing the liquid matrix and the fibers forward through the gap, creating currents in the liquid matrix and increasing pressure. The increased pressure within the volume forms a barrier to entrained gases within the liquid matrix such that the entrained gases are inhibited from passing through the gap along with the liquid matrix and the fibers.

Abstract: A fiber cutting device is disclosed having a cutting head with one or more blades disposed across a surface of the cutting head and disposed to rotate about a cutting head axis. An anvil roller is disposed and driven to rotate about an anvil axis and has a surface in momentary contact with each the one or more blades of the cutting head. Fibers are delivered to the device across a feeder. A feed control toggle may be moved to a stop position, where a first end of the feed control toggle presses the plurality of fibers against the feeder to stop motion of the fibers and prevent cutting. Contact with the anvil roller to draw the fibers between the cutting head and the anvil may also be controlled by the feed control toggle. A flap for sliding contact between the fibers and the anvil may also be used.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described where at least one roller (e.g., a kicker roller) is used to impregnate fibers (i.e., a charge or reinforcement) with a liquid resin (i.e., matrix) by eliminating air from the resin and fibers as they enter a pressurized zone. Air is forced out as the resin is first drawn into an entry zone of the roller, then into an entry gap adjacent to the roller, and then into the pressurized zone on the opposite side of the roller. The pressurized zone is an enclosed area at the output side of the roller where the resin is allowed to accumulate and the resin and composite combination are then forced out through a small exit gap. Shear forces between the surface of the quickly rotating driven roller and the resin provide the driving force. The fibers may be continuous (e.g., from a roller) or discontinuous or loose cut.

Abstract: A fiber cutting device is disclosed having a cutting head with one or more blades disposed across a surface of the cutting head and disposed to rotate about a cutting head axis. An anvil roller is disposed and driven to rotate about an anvil axis and has a surface in momentary contact with each the one or more blades of the cutting head. Fibers are delivered to the device across a feeder. A feed control toggle may be moved to a stop position, where a first end of the feed control toggle presses the plurality of fibers against the feeder to stop motion of the fibers and prevent cutting. Contact with the anvil roller to draw the fibers between the cutting head and the anvil may also be controlled by the feed control toggle. A flap for sliding contact between the fibers and the anvil may also be used.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described where at least one roller (e.g., a kicker roller) is used to impregnate fibers (i.e., a charge or reinforcement) with a liquid resin (i.e., matrix) by eliminating air from the resin and fibers as they enter a pressurized zone. Air is forced out as the resin is first drawn into an entry zone of the roller, then into an entry gap adjacent to the roller, and then into the pressurized zone on the opposite side of the roller. The pressurized zone is an enclosed area at the output side of the roller where the resin is allowed to accumulate and the resin and composite combination are then forced out through a small exit gap. Shear forces between the surface of the quickly rotating driven roller and the resin provide the driving force. The fibers may be continuous (e.g., from a roller) or discontinuous or loose cut.

Abstract: The novel slave pump having a piston rod having a fluid passage through which catalyst is discharged for ultimate use. The slave pump also has an exterior casing which holds it together without contacting the catalyst or other fluids being pumped.A novel combination of a slave pump as just described driven by a master pump having a cylinder and a piston rod, a slave pump having a cylinder and a piston rod, a first means interconnecting the piston rod of the master pump with the piston rod of the slave pump, and a second means connecting the cylinder of the master pump with the cylinder of the slave pump.The position of the slave pump can be adjusted with respect to the master pump to change the amount of catalyst or other fluid delivered by said slave pump per stroke of the slave pump piston. The interconnecting linkages are provided with spherical connections to mitigate wear and binding due to misalignment.

Abstract: Transmission systems in which a driven sprocket is driven by way of a chain by a driving sprocket which is driven by drive means at a constant speed of rotation, are provided with oscillating or reciprocating idler sprockets for superimposing on the constant speed of rotation drive a periodic, cyclic motion changing the speed of rotation of the driven sprocket, which periodic cyclic motion increases the length of the portion of said chain extending between the exit side of said driven sprocket and the entrant side of said driving sprocket while shortening by a corresponding amount the length of the portion of said chain extending between the exit side of said driving member and the entrant side of said driven member during one-half cycle of said cyclic motion and vice versa during the other half cycle of said cyclic motion.

Abstract: Transmission systems in which a driven sprocket is driven by way of a chain by a driving sprocket which is driven by drive means at a constant speed of rotation, oscillating or reciprocating idler sprockets for superimposing on the constant speed of rotation drive a periodic, cyclic motion changing the speed of rotation of the driven sprocket, which periodic cyclic motion increases the length of the portion of said chain extending between the exit side of said driven sprocket and the entrant side of said driving sprocket while shortening by a corresponding amount the length of the portion of said chain extending between the exit side of said driving member and the entrant side of said driven member during one-half cycle of said cyclic motion and vice versa during the other half cycle of said cyclic motion, and duel wire-mesh belt compaction modules for the wetout of glass fiber rovings and sheet molding compound paste between thermoplastic polymer films sandwiched between two wire-mesh belts horizontally movi

Abstract: A roving cutter with a positive ejection cutting head in which the ejection elements provided in the spaces between the circumferentially spaced cutting blades are mounted in eccentrically rotating end places under axial tension so as to form with the end plates a squirrel cage-like rigid assembly. By placing the ejection elements under lengthwise tension they can be given the required rigidity in spite of being reduced in cross section, for example to take on the form of rods or wires. Because of this, longer cutters become possible and in cutters of conventional length greater clearances can be obtained and thus the build-up of fiber material or dust in the spaces between the blades more effectively avoided.