Abstract: This invention involves the incorporation of gas in the matrix of a mandrel. The incorporation of gas, as foam, into the matrix of a mandrel reduces the density of the mandrel. The resulting mandrel is easier to remove from finished product by washout or disintegration. Therefore it is of great value in the use of mandrels in making hollow composite parts.

Abstract: A tooling system may include an outer mold line (OML) tool and one or more inner mold line (IML) tools. The OML tool may have an OML tool surface. Each one of the IML tools may have an IML tool surface and may be receivable within the OML tool 202. Each IML tool may be formed of expandable material. Each IML tool may apply an internal compaction pressure to a composite assembly positioned between the OML tool surface and the IML tool surface when the expandable material is heated.

Abstract: In the manufacture of composite product, raw composite is layered on a shape or form and cured at a higher temperature. With some shapes, it is difficult or impossible to apply sufficient pressure to force and consolidate the composite material to adequately conform to the desired final shape during the curing process. The expandable tacky tape of this invention is comprised of a viscous medium incorporating thermally expandable material. Applied over the raw composite, the expandable tacky tape effectively forces the composite to conform to the desired shape during curing.

Abstract: It is sometimes advantageous to coat or seal the mandrel before laying on, coating, or wrapping the mandrel with composite plastic material. This invention provides improved coating with improved function that is easily removable from the cured product. The effective coating materials are applied directly to the mandrel as a coat or as a film or tape. Thermally expandable coat or film also reduces manufacturing costs for composite plastic products.

Abstract: It is sometimes advantageous to coat or seal the mandrel before laying on, coating, or wrapping the mandrel with composite plastic material. This invention provides improved coating with improved function that is easily removable from the cured product. The effective coating materials are applied directly to the mandrel as a coat or as a film or tape. Thermally expandable coat or film also reduces manufacturing costs for composite plastic products.

Abstract: A vacuum bagging system may include a layer assembly defining a fluid flow channel. The layer assembly may include a contact layer mounted to a composite part positionable within an outer mold line (OML) tool. The contact layer may have a contact layer width defined by opposing contact layer side edges. The layer assembly may further include an inner layer mounted to the contact layer and having inner layer side edges located between the contact layer side edges. The fluid flow channel may extend along at least a portion of the composite part to at least one part end. The vacuum bagging system may include an internal vacuum bag positionable against the inner layer. An inner mold line (IML) tool may support the internal vacuum bag. The contact layer width may be less than an IML tool width.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for removing CO2 from air, which comprises exposing sorbent covered surfaces to the air. The invention also provides for an apparatus for exposing air to a CO2 sorbent. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) bound in a sorbent.

Abstract: Although plaster (gypsum) loses water at temperatures above 300° F. and converts to plaster of Paris that has reduced structural strength, plaster (gypsum) is used in this invention as a mandrel (form or mold) at temperatures in excess of 300° F., at about 600° F. or higher in the manufacture of composite products or other products, such as metals, requiring exposure at such high temperatures. According to this invention, a plaster mandrel is effective with controlled exposure to such high temperature. Specified additive(s) to plaster, used according to this invention, greatly expand the utility of plaster containing mandrels in high temperature applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for removing CO2 from air, which comprises exposing sorbent covered surfaces to the air. The invention also provides for an apparatus for exposing air to a CO2 sorbent. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) hound in a sorbent.

Abstract: Although plaster (gypsum) loses water at temperatures above 300° F. and converts to plaster of Paris that has reduced structural strength, plaster (gypsum) is used in this invention as a mandrel (form or mold) at temperatures in excess of 300° F., at about 600° F. or higher in the manufacture of composite products or other products, such as metals, requiring exposure at such high temperatures. According to this invention, a plaster mandrel is effective with controlled exposure to such high temperature. Specified additive(s) to plaster, used according to this invention, greatly expand the utility of plaster containing mandrels in high temperature applications.

Abstract: A tooling system may include an outer mold line (OML) tool and one or more inner mold line (IML) tools. The OML tool may have an OML tool surface. Each one of the IML tools may have an IML tool surface and may be receivable within the OML tool 202. Each IML tool may be formed of expandable material. Each IML tool may apply an internal compaction pressure to a composite assembly positioned between the OML tool surface and the IML tool surface when the expandable material is heated.

Abstract: A tooling system may include an outer mold line (OML) tool and one or more inner mold line (IML) tools. The OML tool may have an OML tool surface. Each one of the IML tools may have an IML tool surface and may be receivable within the OML tool 202. Each IML tool may be formed of expandable material. Each IML tool may apply an internal compaction pressure to a composite assembly positioned between the OML tool surface and the IML tool surface when the expandable material is heated.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite structure, using a mandrel that is later removed from the composite structure, involves production of a mandrel by depositing a particulate mixture, including an aggregate and a binder, into a mold and removing the mandrel from the mold. The mandrel may be treated while still in the mold by heating, curing with an agent, microwave energy, or by some combination thereof. Once finished, the mandrel can be used in manufacturing polymer and/or composite components. The mandrel can also include materials that can be easily removed from the finished composite structure by water, shakeout, chemically dissolving, or by some combination thereof. The mandrel can be a self-expanding mandrel, and can be used in a process or system for the manufacture of composite structures.

Abstract: A mandrel or core mold is used in the manufacture of composite products. The current invention avoids the disadvantages of plaster mandrels by making mandrels or core molds composed of aggregate with a dual binder system. This system produces a mold with high green strength, high dry strength, and the ability to be disintegrated from a finished composite product. The cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly-polyvinylpyrrolidone, of this invention provides many benefits and advantages.

Abstract: It is sometimes advantageous to coat or seal the mandrel before laying on, coating, or wrapping the mandrel with composite plastic material. This invention provides improved coating with improved function that is easily removable from the cured product. The effective coating materials are applied directly to the mandrel as a coat or as a film or tape. Thermally expandable coat or film also reduces manufacturing costs for composite plastic products.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite structure, using a mandrel that is later removed from the composite structure, involves production of a mandrel by depositing a particulate mixture, including an aggregate and a binder, into a mold and removing the mandrel from the mold. The mandrel may be treated while still in the mold by heating, curing with an agent, microwave energy, or by some combination thereof. Once finished, the mandrel can be used in manufacturing polymer and/or composite components. The mandrel can also include materials that can be easily removed from the finished composite structure by water, shakeout, chemically dissolving, or by some combination thereof. The mandrel can be a self-expanding mandrel, and can be used in a process or system for the manufacture of composite structures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for removing CO2 from air, which comprises exposing sorbent covered surfaces to the air. The invention also provides for an apparatus for exposing air to a CO2 sorbent. In another aspect, the invention provides a method and apparatus for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) bound in a sorbent.

Abstract: A vacuum bagging system may include a layer assembly defining a fluid flow channel. The layer assembly may include a contact layer mounted to a composite part positionable within an outer mold line (OML) tool. The contact layer may have a contact layer width defined by opposing contact layer side edges. The layer assembly may further include an inner layer mounted to the contact layer and having inner layer side edges located between the contact layer side edges. The fluid flow channel may extend along at least a portion of the composite part to at least one part end. The vacuum bagging system may include an internal vacuum bag positionable against the inner layer. An inner mold line (IML) tool may support the internal vacuum bag. The contact layer width may be less than an IML tool width.

Abstract: In the manufacture of composite product, raw composite is layered on a shape or form and cured at a higher temperature. With some shapes, it is difficult or impossible to apply sufficient pressure to force and consolidate the composite material to adequately conform to the desired final shape during the curing process. The expandable tacky tape of this invention is comprised of a viscous medium incorporating thermally expandable material. Applied over the raw composite, the expandable tacky tape effectively forces the composite to conform to the desired shape during curing.

Abstract: A vacuum bagging system may include a layer assembly defining a fluid flow channel. The layer assembly may include a contact layer mounted to a composite part positionable within an outer mold line (OML) tool. The contact layer may have a contact layer width defined by opposing contact layer side edges. The layer assembly may further include an inner layer mounted to the contact layer and having inner layer side edges located between the contact layer side edges. The fluid flow channel may extend along at least a portion of the composite part to at least one part end. The vacuum bagging system may include an internal vacuum bag positionable against the inner layer. An inner mold line (IML) tool may support the internal vacuum bag. The contact layer width may be less than an IML tool width.