Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a preform may include a mandrel to receive a preform. The mandrel may have a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end. The preform may have a first preform end and a second preform end. The apparatus may include an anchoring groove disposed at the first mandrel end, and an anchoring device being configured and located to urge the first preform end towards the anchoring groove to secure the first preform end therebetween. The apparatus may include a tensioning groove disposed between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end, and a tensioning device being configured and located to urge at least a portion of the preform into the tensioning groove.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite vessel encompassing rapid manufacturing. The process includes using a liner, of metal or plastic materials, over which a braided or developed preform is wrapped. The dry fiber wrapped liner is placed in a mold and resin injected into the cavity formed between the liner and the mold outer walls. The liner is flooded with heated and/or cooled pressurized fluid thus enabling complete and independent process control from within the liner for both the resin injection and the cure phases. Fiber placement control is determined through combined biaxial and triaxial braid/preform design, and by wrapping at controlled tension onto the supporting liner. Fiber tension control is further enhanced by the methodology of mold loading whereby tensioning forces are enacted during actual load and close. The process may use thermoset or thermoplastic resins and any of a variety fibrous reinforcements.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite vessel encompassing rapid manufacturing that is applicable to composite hydrogen and other gas storage tanks, both for high-pressure cylinders, as well as low-pressure conformal tanks. The process of fabrication includes using a liner, of metal or plastic materials, over which a braided or developed preform is wrapped. The dry fiber wrapped liner is placed in a mold and resin injected into the cavity formed between the liner and the mold outer walls. The liner is flooded with heated and/or cooled pressurized fluid thus enabling complete and independent process control from within the liner for both the resin injection and the cure phases. Fiber placement control is determined through combined biaxial and triaxial braid/preform design, and by wrapping at controlled tension onto the supporting liner. Fiber tension control is further enhanced by the methodology of mold loading whereby tensioning forces are enacted during actual load and close.

Abstract: An apparatus to prepare a preform for fabrication includes a mandrel, anchoring groove, anchoring device, tensioning groove, and tensioning device. The mandrel receives the preform. The mandrel has a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end. The preform has a first preform end and a second preform end. The anchoring groove is disposed at the first mandrel end. The anchoring device is configured and located to urge the first preform end towards the anchoring groove to secure the first preform end therebetween. The tensioning groove is disposed between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end. The tensioning device is configured and located to urge a portion of the preform into the tensioning groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning a preform may include a mandrel to receive a preform. The mandrel may have a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end. The preform may have a first preform end and a second preform end. The apparatus may include an anchoring groove disposed at the first mandrel end, and an anchoring device being configured and located to urge the first preform end towards the anchoring groove to secure the first preform end therebetween. The apparatus may include a tensioning groove disposed between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end, and a tensioning device being configured and located to urge at least a portion of the preform into the tensioning groove.

Abstract: An apparatus to prepare a preform for fabrication includes a mandrel, anchoring groove, anchoring device, tensioning groove, and tensioning device. The mandrel receives the preform. The mandrel has a first mandrel end and a second mandrel end. The preform has a first preform end and a second preform end. The anchoring groove is disposed at the first mandrel end. The anchoring device is configured and located to urge the first preform end towards the anchoring groove to secure the first preform end therebetween. The tensioning groove is disposed between the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end. The tensioning device is configured and located to urge a portion of the preform into the tensioning groove.

Abstract: A unitary composite stator vane for a gas turbine engine comprising an aerodynamically configured airfoil section, a foot extending substantially perpendicularly from one end of the airfoil section, and a smoothly contoured transition section interconnecting the airfoil section with the foot. The stator vane is comprised of a composite material including a plurality of compression molded, heat cured plies. The plies include a plurality of centrally located internal plies of reinforcement material of continuous yarns of para-aramid fibers. On each side of the internal plies are plies of resin impregnated graphite fiber material. The graphite fibers are protected by an external steel wire mesh ply covering the leading edges of the vanes. Substantially all of the internal para-aramid reinforcement fibers are discontinuous proximate the transition section between the airfoil section and foot.

Abstract: A composite stator vane for a gas turbine engine comprising a plurality of compression molded, heat cured plies, the plies including a plurality of centrally located internal plies of reinforcement material of unidirectional yarns of para-aramid fibers, a plurality of plies of resin impregnated graphite fiber material on each side of the centrally located plies of reinforcement material, and an external steel wire mesh ply on the leading edge of the vane.

Abstract: A method for preparing a machined surface of a composite article for diffusion bonding is provided. The method includes removing most of the exposed fibers by shot peening followed by acid etching. The acid etch may be followed by grit blasting and then another acid etch. After the method is applied to the surface, the article can be diffusion bonded to other composite article to form complex shapes.

Abstract: A composite article is manufactured by preparing a machined surface of the composite article for diffusion bonding. The method includes removing most of the exposed fibers by shot peening followed by acid etching. The acid etch may be followed by grit blasting and then another acid etch. After the method is applied to the surface, the article can be diffusion bonded to other composite article to form complex shapes.