Abstract: An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.

Abstract: Lightweight and strong components having any desired shape, form, or geometry may be manufactured using thermally expanding mandrels by the processes described herein. A thermally expanding mandrel may be formed from an expanding material composition including thermally expanding particles, e.g., micronized rubber particles, and water-soluble binder material, e.g., gypsum plaster. Component material may be applied to the mandrel, and the mandrel may be inserted into a molding tool. Upon application of heat to the mandrel, the mandrel may expand, and compress and cure the component material into a component within the molding tool. Following formation of the component, the mandrel may be washed out of the component, e.g., using pressurized water, and the expanding material composition may be recycled and/or reused.

Abstract: Lightweight and strong components may be manufactured using self-skinning foam material compositions by the processes described herein. One or more mandrels may be inserted into a molding tool, and a self-skinning foam material composition may be injected into the molding tool. After closing the molding tool, the self-skinning foam material composition may expand and cure to form a component, and one or more skins may be formed on exterior and/or interior surfaces of the component. For example, an external skin may be formed on an exterior surface of the component in contact with surfaces of the molding tool, and one or more internal skins may be formed on one or more interior surfaces of negative space spars of the component in contact with surfaces of the one or more mandrels.

Abstract: Expandable components for aerial vehicles may include an outer structure formed of carbon fiber, an adhesive bladder disposed within the outer structure, and expanding foam materials inserted into the adhesive bladder. The expandable components may be configured to transform from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration upon application of heat and/or pressure. For example, in the compressed configuration, the outer structure, adhesive bladder, and expanding foam materials may be folded, rolled, or compressed for storage or transport. In the expanded configuration, the expanding foam materials may expand and cure within the adhesive bladder, the adhesive bladder may expand, bond, and cure inside the outer structure, and the outer structure may expand and cure to a desired shape or size.

Abstract: Manufacturing systems for expandable components may include a controller, a heat and/or pressure source, and a transfer line. For example, the expandable components may be configured to transform from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration upon application of heat and/or pressure. In addition, the controller may activate the heat and/or pressure source to release heat and/or gases that are directed to the expandable components via the transfer line. Further, the manufacturing system may also include an igniter, a manifold, and a valve to further control the release of heat and/or gases. Moreover, at least a portion of the heat and/or gases may be recaptured in a closed chamber and redirected to additional expandable components in other closed chambers. Furthermore, various post-processing may be performed on the components in their expanded configurations.

Abstract: Lightweight and strong components may be manufactured using foam material compositions and resin coating materials by the processes described herein. One or more mandrels and/or a molding tool may be coated with resin coatings, the one or more mandrels may be inserted into the molding tool, and a foam material composition may be injected into the molding tool. After closing the molding tool, the foam material composition may expand and cure to form a component, and heat may be applied to cure the resin coatings into skins. For example, an external skin may be formed by the resin coatings on an exterior surface of the component in contact with surfaces of the molding tool, and one or more internal skins may be formed by the resin coatings on one or more interior surfaces of negative space spars of the component in contact with surfaces of the one or more mandrels.

Abstract: Methods for detecting irregularities in a composite structure can include obtaining temperature data from a surface of the composite structure while the composite structure undergoes a thermal change. An irregularity in the composite structure is detected based on the temperature data.

Abstract: A tarpaulin fastening device includes a support frame for support of one or more winch/spool assemblies and associated interconnecting line cord while being removably attached to a flat bed trailer using compression. The interconnecting line cord is extracted/retracted from/to its respective winch/spool assembly through a keeper mechanism. The interconnecting line cord is woven through eyelets of one or more connection pins and terminated with an anchoring mechanism. Once extracted from the winch/spool assembly, the interconnecting line cord is anchored to a flatbed trailer using the anchor mechanism and each connection pin is alternatingly connected to connection points along a length of tarp covering a payload supported by the flatbed and to connection points along a length of the flatbed trailer. Once the interconnecting line cord is anchored and connected to the tarp and flatbed, the tarp is secured onto the payload by actuation of the gear assembly.

Abstract: Lightweight and strong components may be manufactured using self-skinning foam material compositions by the processes described herein. One or more mandrels may be inserted into a molding tool, and a self-skinning foam material composition may be injected into the molding tool. After closing the molding tool, the self-skinning foam material composition may expand and cure to form a component, and one or more skins may be formed on exterior and/or interior surfaces of the component. For example, an external skin may be formed on an exterior surface of the component in contact with surfaces of the molding tool, and one or more internal skins may be formed on one or more interior surfaces of negative space spars of the component in contact with surfaces of the one or more mandrels.

Abstract: Lightweight and strong components may be manufactured using foam material compositions and resin coating materials by the processes described herein. One or more mandrels and/or a molding tool may be coated with resin coatings, the one or more mandrels may be inserted into the molding tool, and a foam material composition may be injected into the molding tool. After closing the molding tool, the foam material composition may expand and cure to form a component, and heat may be applied to cure the resin coatings into skins. For example, an external skin may be formed by the resin coatings on an exterior surface of the component in contact with surfaces of the molding tool, and one or more internal skins may be formed by the resin coatings on one or more interior surfaces of negative space spars of the component in contact with surfaces of the one or more mandrels.

Abstract: Lightweight and strong components having any desired shape, form, or geometry may be manufactured using thermally expanding mandrels by the processes described herein. A thermally expanding mandrel may be formed from an expanding material composition including thermally expanding particles, e.g., micronized rubber particles, and water-soluble binder material, e.g., gypsum plaster. Component material may be applied to the mandrel, and the mandrel may be inserted into a molding tool. Upon application of heat to the mandrel, the mandrel may expand, and compress and cure the component material into a component within the molding tool. Following formation of the component, the mandrel may be washed out of the component, e.g., using pressurized water, and the expanding material composition may be recycled and/or reused.

Abstract: Methods for detecting irregularities in a composite structure can include obtaining temperature data from a surface of the composite structure while the composite structure undergoes a thermal change. An irregularity in the composite structure is detected based on the temperature data.

Abstract: Methods for detecting irregularities in a composite vehicle can include cooling the composite vehicle to a substantially uniform first temperature, heating a surface of the composite vehicle to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature, and obtaining temperature data from the composite vehicle after the surface has been heated. An irregularity in the composite vehicle is detected based on the temperature data.

Abstract: Methods for detecting irregularities in a composite structure can include obtaining temperature data from a surface of the composite structure while the composite structure undergoes a thermal change. An irregularity in the composite structure is detected based on the temperature data.

Abstract: Methods for detecting irregularities in a composite vehicle can include cooling the composite vehicle to a substantially uniform first temperature, heating a surface of the composite vehicle to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature, and obtaining temperature data from the composite vehicle after the surface has been heated. An irregularity in the composite vehicle is detected based on the temperature data.

Abstract: Methods for detecting irregularities in a composite structure can include obtaining temperature data from a surface of the composite structure while the composite structure undergoes a thermal change. An irregularity in the composite structure is detected based on the temperature data.

Abstract: An alignment device is disclosed use in maintaining the alignment of longitudinal frame members of a trench-forming assembly. The alignment device comprises a cross member. Extending in the same direction from opposite ends of the cross member is at least one pair of first lateral extensions. The pair of lateral extensions is spaced apart so as to contact the respective longitudinal frame members of the trench-forming assembly, and thereby maintain the two frame members at a distance relative to each other. The alignment device may further include at least one interior extension extending from the cross member in the same direction as the pair of first lateral extensions. In this embodiment, the interior extension defines a slot between the interior extension and at least one of the first lateral extensions, where the slot is structured is to receive at least a portion of one of the longitudinal frame members.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for forming a trench of a predetermined shape. The trench-forming assembly includes a removable longitudinal form body, a pair of frame members and at least one mounting bracket assembly. The form body is capable of shaping a moldable trench forming composition poured around the form. Each frame member includes a support surface, and is in engagement with a respective side surface of the form body. The mounting bracket assemblies, each of which can include a mounting bracket and a pair of hook members, extend laterally across the top surface of the form body. In this regard, each mounting bracket assembly removably engages a downwardly facing side of the support surface of the frame members.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for forming a trench of a predetermined shape. The trench-forming assembly includes a removable longitudinal form body, a pair of frame members and at least one mounting bracket assembly. The form body is capable of shaping a moldable trench forming composition poured around the form. Each frame member includes a support surface, and is in engagement with a respective side surface of the form body. The mounting bracket assemblies, each of which can include a mounting bracket and a pair of hook members, extend laterally across the top surface of the form body. In this regard, each mounting bracket assembly removably engages a downwardly facing side of the support surface of the frame members.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for transcoding and rate-adapting between information channels having a first rate and signal-encoding scheme and information channels having a second rate and second signal-encoding scheme. Further described is a system and method for determining when a signal-processing module has failed or been removed or inserted into an operating telecommunications switching platform. Also described is a system and method for efficient power-up, to allow for more efficient system power-up, the signal-processing modules of the present invention preferably have their operating systems stored in a nonvolatile memory that can be reprogrammed without removing it from the system. A switching module is further capable of responding to heartbeat messages and identifying itself as operational over one bus or both buses of a redundant-pair control bus. The module also has a reprogrammable, nonvolatile memory associated with it from which the module can run its operating system.