Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for splicing airframe components. One embodiment is a method for assembling an airframe of an aircraft. The method includes forming a first skin of a first circumferential section of fuselage, the first skin including a distal portion comprising a lip and a shoulder, aligning a second skin of a second circumferential section of fuselage with the shoulder such that the lip overlaps the second skin, and affixing the first skin and the second skin together via a circumferential splice.

Abstract: An indexing tool is incorporated into a tubular string. The indexing tool is intended to function as a variable travel stop so that on initial landing other tools associated with the string will not extend to an operating position for tools that would otherwise operate on contact with relative movement. The indexing device can prevent a shifting device from engaging a valve operator when the index device initially lands on a support either during normal operation or in an emergency such as when shear rams have cut the string to allow it to fall so that a blowout preventer can be operated to engage opposed rams. In such an emergency the barrier valve operator will not be actuated and the string is later fished with the barrier valve closed. A pickup and set down force then allows the barrier valve to open when desired.

Abstract: An indexing tool is incorporated into a tubular string. The indexing tool is intended to function as a variable travel stop so that on initial landing other tools associated with the string will not extend to an operating position for tools that would otherwise operate on contact with relative movement. The indexing device can prevent a shifting device from engaging a valve operator when the index device initially lands on a support either during normal operation or in an emergency such as when shear rams have cut the string to allow it to fall so that a blowout preventer can be operated to engage opposed rams. In such an emergency the barrier valve operator will not be actuated and the string is later fished with the barrier valve closed. A pickup and set down force then allows the barrier valve to open when desired.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for manufacturing an engineered-composite combining rigid flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip and selected polypropylene thermoplastics, which are formulated into dual polymeric coating layers for extrusion deposition, as distinct layers, on a single surface at a time, of continuous-strip, traveling in-line at ambient temperature. Steps for forming a uniform thickness of polymeric layers across strip width, and attraction to an activated metallic surface which provides enhanced adhesion. Solidification of the polymeric layers is augmented by strip temperature during continuous-in-line travel; final dual-surface finishing provides for complete bonding of the polymeric layers on both metallic surfaces.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for manufacturing an engineered-composite combining rigid flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip and selected polypropylene thermoplastics, which are formulated into dual polymeric coating layers for extrusion deposition, as distinct layers, on a single surface at a time, of continuous-strip, traveling in-line at ambient temperature. Steps for forming a uniform thickness of polymeric layers across strip width, and attraction to an activated metallic surface which provides enhanced adhesion. Solidification of the polymeric layers is augmented by strip temperature during continuous-in-line travel; final dual-surface finishing provides for complete bonding of the polymeric layers on both metallic surfaces.

Abstract: Method steps and apparatus combinations for continuous in-line polymeric coating of rigid corrosion-protected flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip substrate utilizing a thermoplastic polymeric material having adhesive characteristics, capable of molten thin-film extrusion for chemical-bonding with an activated-surface of the flat-rolled sheet metal substrate, and substantially-simultaneously bonding with a solid-film polymeric material; establishing multiple-polymer-layers traveling with said activated surface; said solid polymeric film being selected to provide strength, hardness and other desired surface mechanical properties; and, also, providing for external surface coloration, design, weather-proofing, and fabricating capabilities; a second embodiment provides dual-surface multiple-polymeric layer coating carried on by activating and polymeric coating one surface at a time of rigid corrosion-protected flat-rolled sheet metal continuous strip substrate.

Abstract: Method steps and apparatus combinations for continuous in-line polymeric coating of rigid corrosion-protected flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip substrate utilizing a thermoplastic polymeric material having adhesive characteristics, capable of molten thin-film extrusion for chemical-bonding with an activated-surface of the flat-rolled sheet metal substrate, and substantially-simultaneously bonding with a solid-film polymeric material, establishing a work-product embodiment with multiple-polymer-layers traveling with the single activated surface; and, on which the solid polymeric film is selected to provide strength, hardness and other desired surface mechanical properties which also provide for external surface coloration, design, weather-proofing, and fabricating capabilities. A second embodiment provides dual-surface multiple-polymeric layer coating carried on by activating and polymeric coating one surface, at a time, of rigid corrosion-protected flat-rolled sheet metal continuous strip substrate.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a composite work article suitable for fabricating rigid sheet metal can components. A steel sheet having first and second surfaces is pre-treated to enhance reception and retention of a multi-layer polymer coating on the pre-treated first surface. The multi-layer polymer coating is melt extruded on the pre-treated first surface and beyond opposite lateral edges of the work article to establish overhang portions, then solidified. The multi-layer polymeric coating has a tie polymeric layer contacting the pre-treated first surface, and a finish-surface polymeric layer.

Abstract: Engineered composite coated flat-rolled steel strip is produced in continuous line operations, in which flat-rolled steel strip, free of surface iron oxide, having a metallic corrosion-protective coating, is polymer coated in continuous-line operations in which a plurality of adherent thin-film layers of polymeric material are deposited on a strip surface. In a dual-surface polymeric coating embodiment, each surface is separately-pretreated for surface adhesion, solidified, and polymeric overhang is removed. Finish processing re-melts the polymer coating and rapidly cools that coating through glass-transition temperature to establish amorphous characteristics in the polymeric coating materials. An anhydride-modified polypropylene, first contacts the strip, an intermediate layer can include about fifteen to twenty five percent, by weight, polybutylene with the balance polypropylene; an outer surface polymeric layer includes about five to ten percent, by weight, polybutylene with the balance polypropylene.

Abstract: Method steps and apparatus combinations for continuous in-line polymeric coating of rigid corrosion-protected flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip substrate utilizing a thermoplastic polymeric material having adhesive characteristics, capable of molten thin-film extrusion for chemical-bonding with an activated-surface of the flat-rolled sheet metal substrate, and substantially-simultaneously bonding with a solid-film polymeric material, establishing a work-product embodiment with multiple-polymer-layers traveling with the single activated surface; and, on which the solid polymeric film is selected to provide strength, hardness and other desired surface mechanical properties which also provide for external surface coloration, design, weather-proofing, and fabricating capabilities. A second embodiment provides dual-surface multiple-polymeric layer coating carried on by activating and polymeric coating one surface, at a time, of rigid corrosion-protected flat-rolled sheet metal continuous strip substrate.

Abstract: Flat-rolled steel strip, free of surface iron oxide, is provided with a corrosion-protection metallic coating on both surfaces, followed by continuous-line polymeric coating operations in which a single surface is pre-treated so as to activate that surface for adhesion of molten extruded thin-film polymeric material for in-line travel. Polymeric materials are formulated to provide maleic-anhydride modified polypropylene, which is melted and pressurized for extrusion as a molten thin-film tie-layer for first contacting that activated surface; and, thin-film intermediate and finish layers are each formulated to contain a selected percentage of polybutylene; which are extruded as molten films in overlaying relationship to said first contacting tie-layer.

Abstract: Specific materials, percentages, dimensions, and other values have been set forth for purposes of presenting specific embodiments enabling one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. However, it should be recognized that the above description and disclosures of specific embodiments, along with descriptions of combinations of materials, percentages, dimensions and other values set forth in the above specification, provide technical information enabling those skilled in the art to arrive at other values, while continuing to rely on the principles of the invention as taught by the above specification.

Abstract: Engineered composite coated flat-rolled steel strip is produced in continuous line operations, in which flat-rolled steel strip, free of surface iron oxide, having a metallic corrosion-protective coating, is polymer coated in continuous-line operations in which a plurality of adherent thin-film layers of polymeric material are deposited on a strip surface. In a dual-surface polymeric coating embodiment, each surface is separately-pretreated for surface adhesion, solidified, and polymeric overhang is removed. Finish processing re-melts the polymer coating and rapidly cools that coating through glass-transition temperature to establish amorphous characteristics in the polymeric coating materials. An anhydride-modified polypropylene, first contacts the strip, an intermediate layer can include about fifteen to twenty five percent, by weight, polybutylene with the balance polypropylene; an outer surface polymeric layer includes about five to ten percent, by weight, polybutylene with the balance polypropylene.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for manufacturing an engineered-composite combining rigid flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip and selected polyester thermoplastics, which are formed into distinct polymeric layers for melted extrusion deposition on a single surface, at a time, using pressure dies, and other steps, for forming a uniform coat of distinct polymeric layers, which provide high green-strength-adhesion during continuous-in-line travel; and including dual-surface finishing for complete bonding of the polymeric layers on both metallic surfaces.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for manufacturing an engineered-composite combining rigid flat-rolled sheet metal continuous-strip and selected polypropylene thermoplastics, which are formulated into dual polymeric coating layers for extrusion deposition, as distinct layers, on a single surface at a time, of continuous-strip, traveling in-line at ambient temperature. Steps for forming a uniform thickness of polymeric layers across strip width, and attraction to an activated metallic surface which provides enhanced adhesion. Solidification of the polymeric layers is augmented by strip temperature during continuous-in-line travel; final dual-surface finishing provides for complete bonding of the polymeric layers on both metallic surfaces.

Abstract: A releasable cable tie for forming a plurality of elongate objects such as wires into a bundle. The tie includes an elongate strap and a locking head which has strap entry and exit faces, a strap-receiving aperture extending between the faces and having a predetermined strap pass path therethrough, and a locking pawl extending into the aperture and toward the strap exit face for holding the strap. The pawl is movable between a release position wherein it is adjacent the strap exit face and disposed outside the strap pass path and an engagement position wherein the pawl is disposed adjacent the strap entry face and securely holds the strap. The cable tie further includes a fulcrum extending toward the strap exit face and a release arm extending from the pawl comprising a generally rigid lever and a generally flexible hinge joining the lever to the pawl.