Abstract: Automatic tape laying (ATL-) apparatus for laying tape (1) containing fibre onto a surface (7) to form a composite article, which comprises means (2) to divide the tape into a plurality of inter-connected or separate, substantially longitudinal strips (3) before the tape is laid onto the surface (7).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for reinforcing a double-shell structure in which a cellular core (2) is arranged between a first shell (5) and a second shell (6). In the method according to the invention, at least one cavity is formed in the double-shell structure from an opening in the first shell into the cellular core (2) so that the cavity substantially extends through the cellular core (2) to the second shell. Fixative (8) is injected into the cavity. A stiff bar (7) is introduced into the cavity, whereupon excess fixative (8) is allowed to pass out of the cavity. Finally, the fixative left in the cavity is cured.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for fabricating a curved beam from fiber composite material. A flat fiber composite laminate (2) comprising a plurality of layers and at least two different fiber directions is formed. The fiber composite laminate (2) is disposed in contact with a male tool (1) comprised of a first flange (1a), a second flange (1c) and an intermediate web (1b), which male tool (1) is curved in its longitudinal direction with a radius of curvature R in such a way that the first flange (1a) has a shorter longitudinal extent than the second flange (1c). The fiber composite laminate (2) is brought into contact with and secured to the first flange (1a) of the male tool (1).

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for reinforcing a core (2) constructed of at least two core parts (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), each of which exhibits a top side, a bottom side and walls joining the top side and bottom side. The core parts (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are arranged joined wall-to-wall with one another along a joint seam (4a, 4b, 4c) filled with glue, preferably in the form of a glue film. The method is characterized in that notches (5a, 5b, 5c) are realized in a number of places in the glue joint, which notches extent between the walls from the top side to the bottom side of the core parts so that the glue joint can be divided into pieces. The invention also encompasses an article fabricated in accordance with the aforementioned method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for forming composite structures and composite structures formed by these methods. The methods include arranging a stack of prepreg sheets on a mold. The composite material is substantially sealed within a vacuum bag. One or more vacuum ports extend through the vacuum bag. Vacuum is applied through the vacuum ports for drawing air from the stack of prepreg sheets. Air in the space between adjacent prepreg sheets in the stack is evacuated through at least one less-impregnated layer within a least one of the two adjacent prepreg sheets. The less impregnated layer communicates with the vaccum port. The process may be repeated until the stack comprises a predetermined number of prepreg sheets. The composite material is cured and the structure is released from the mold and the vacuum bag, thus providing a composite structure formed from evacuated, cured stack of prepreg sheets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the fabrication of a former for manufacture of composite articles. The method is characterized by the following steps: forming a wetted water-soluble fiber composite on a master tool such that the fiber composite material lies against a surface area of the master tool, allowing the water-soluble fiber composite to dry on the master tool and removing the dry water-soluble fiber composite from the master tool, wherein the dry fiber composite forms the walls of the thus fabricated former.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for reinforcing a double-shell structure in which a cellular core (2) is arranged between a first shell (5) and a second shell (6). In the method according to the invention, at least one cavity is formed in the double-shell structure from an opening in the first shell into the cellular core (2) so that the cavity substantially extends through the cellular core (2) to the second shell. Fixative (8) is injected into the cavity. A stiff bar (7) is introduced into the cavity, whereupon excess fixative (8) is allowed to pass out of the cavity. Finally, the fixative left in the cavity is cured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a bending-resistant, elongated body, preferably a shaft or beam. The invention is characterized in that an elongated blank is produced having at least one cavity extending essentially along the entire length of the blank, the inner surface of which cavity is at a distance from the mass center of the blank seen in a section at right angles to its longitudinal axis and that affixed in the cavity is a fiber composite body with an outer surface essentially congruent with the inner surface of the cavity and that majority of the fibers in the fiber composite body both extend essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated blank and are elongated along the whole of its length. The invention also relates to an arrangement produced according to the method.

Abstract: In a method for filling pores between two adjacent layers of a laminate for a component with high demands upon strength and comprising several layers of fibre composite having within each layer substantially parallel fibres embedded in a matrix, a connection path is created, through which a medium may move inside the laminate, between the exterior of the laminate and the pore by exerting the laminate at least in the region of the pore for forces making slots to propagate substantially in the matrix through each laminate layer along the fibre direction of the layer. A flowing, curable material is after that applied at an outer surface of the laminate and this is brought to fill the pore through the connection path. Finally, the material filling the pore is brought to cure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a bending-resistant, elongated body, preferably a shaft or beam. The invention is characterized in that an elongated blank is produced having at least one cavity extending essentially along the entire length of the blank, the inner surface of which cavity is at a distance from the mass center of the blank seen in a section at right angles to its longitudinal axis and that affixed in the cavity is a fiber composite body with an outer surface essentially congruent with the inner surface of the cavity and that majority of the fibers in the fiber composite body both extend essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated blank and are elongated along the whole of its length. The invention also relates to an arrangement produced according to the method.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for producing a bending-resistant, elongated body (1), preferably a shaft or beam. The invention is characterized in that an elongated blank is produced having at least one cavity (2, 2a) extending essentially along the entire length of the blank, the inner surface of which cavity is at a distance from the mass center of the blank seen in a section at right angles to its longitudinal axis and that affixed in the cavity (2, 2a) is a fiber composite body (3, 3a) with an outer surface essentially congruent with the inner surface of the cavity and that the majority of the fibers in the fiber composite body (3, 3a) both extend essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated blank and are elongated along the whole of its length. The invention also relates to an arrangement produced according to the method.

Abstract: A pressure vessel of composite material built up by fiber wound around an elongated hollow body having at least one end fitting with an axially extending peripheral surface which has a plurality of protrusions distributed over the surface with portions of the fiber material passing over the end fitting and applied around the protrusions as to be peripherally and axially distributed thereover and molded into the composite material. The pressure vessel may also include two end fittings with different radii with the body having on an axially limited portion thereof radially extending pin-like protrusions distributed around its circumference with the fibers being wound in different directions relative to the axis on opposite sides of the protrusions with the directions being adapted to the radii of the end fittings.