Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of tension elements extending along a length of the belt and a plurality of belt fibers transverse to the plurality of tension elements and interlaced therewith. The belt fibers define at least one traction surface of the belt. An edge fiber is located at a lateral end of the belt transverse to and secured to the plurality of belt fibers to secure the belt fibers in a selected position.

Abstract: An illustrative example container includes a plurality of internal support members having a surface contour that at least approximates a minimum surface. The plurality of internal support members collectively provide structural support for carrying loads on the container. The plurality of internal support members collectively establish a plurality of cavities for at least temporarily containing fluid. An outer shell is connected with at least some of the internal support members. The outer shell includes a plurality of curved surfaces. The outer shell encloses the cavities.

Abstract: A high-pressure vessel is provided. The high-pressure vessel may comprise a first chamber defined at least partially by a first wall, and a second chamber defined at least partially by the first wall. The first chamber and the second chamber may form a curved contour of the high-pressure vessel. A modular tank assembly is also provided, and may comprise a first mid tube having a convex geometry. The first mid tube may be defined by a first inner wall, a curved wall extending from the first inner wall, and a second inner wall extending from the curved wall. The first inner wall may be disposed at an angle relative to the second inner wall. The first mid tube may further be defined by a short curved wall opposite the curved wall and extending from the second inner wall to the first inner wall.

Abstract: A pressure vessel configured to store a pressurized fluid is provided including a plurality of lobes. Each lobe includes at least one vertically arranged interior wall. The plurality of lobes are positioned in a side by side configuration such that a first interior wall of a first lobe is positioned adjacent a second interior wall of a second adjacent lobe. The first interior wall and the second interior wall are configured to contact one another at a first point of tangency. A first tangent intersects the first lobe at the first point of tangency and a second tangent intersects the second lobe at the first point of tangency. The first tangent and the second tangent are separated by about 120 degrees.

Abstract: A high-pressure vessel is provided. The high-pressure vessel may comprise a first chamber defined at least partially by a first wall, and a second chamber defined at least partially by the first wall. The first chamber and the second chamber may form a curved contour of the high-pressure vessel. A modular tank assembly is also provided, and may comprise a first mid tube having a convex geometry. The first mid tube may be defined by a first inner wall, a curved wall extending from the first inner wall, and a second inner wall extending from the curved wall. The first inner wall may be disposed at an angle relative to the second inner wall. The first mid tube may further be defined by a short curved wall opposite the curved wall and extending from the second inner wall to the first inner wall.

Abstract: An assembly is provided including a structural component having a flange-like member. A partially cured polymer matrix composite patch is wrapped around a perimeter of the flange-like member. The patch includes a plurality of layers, each layer having a plurality of fibers arranged therein. The layers of the polymer matrix composite patch are cured after being wrapped around the flange-like member of the structural component.

Abstract: A refrigerated cargo container includes a refrigeration unit and a cargo container. The refrigeration unit includes a support frame formed from at least one layer of composite material and at least one layer of insulative foam material. The support frame is supportive of one or more components of the refrigeration unit and insulative of a cargo portion of the cargo container.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system and a method for making the same is provided. The belt includes a plurality of tension members that extend along a length of the belt and a jacket. The jacket substantially retains the plurality of tension members. The jacket maintains a desired spacing and alignment of the tension members relative to each other. The jacket includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers. The jacket defines at least one exterior, traction surface of the belt. The first fibers are at least partially disposed between the tension members and the traction surface of the belt. The second fibers are fill fibers. The first fibers have at least one property that distinguishes them from the second fibers.

Abstract: An assembly is provided including a structural component having a flange-like member. A partially cured polymer matrix composite patch is wrapped around a perimeter of the flange-like member. The patch includes a plurality of layers, each layer having a plurality of fibers arranged therein. The layers of the polymer matrix composite patch are cured after being wrapped around the flange-like member of the structural component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a composite panel and a method of manufacturing the composite panel. The composite panel includes first and second fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) layers. The composite panel also includes a core layer disposed between the first and second FRP layers. The core layer includes one of: a honeycomb material and a foam material. The composite panel further includes an exterior layer disposed on a surface of the first FRP layer opposite the core layer and an interior layer disposed on a surface of the second FRP layer opposite the core layer. The layers are cured together in one processing step.

Abstract: A panel for use in a foundation or above-grade may be made with studs for strength, and for attachment to an interior wall. The composite panel has two outer facing sheets, and a core. Studs are provided on one of the outer facing sheets. The manufacturing process involves forming the panel on a mold by laying down a gel coat (optional), a lower facing sheet (used instead of, or with, the gel coat), the core piece(s), and the top facing layer. This can be done by a lamination process, or preferably is done by laying down fibrous material for the facing sheet(s) and vacuum-infusing it with resin, and curing the panel. The core pieces may either be pre-made, or (if infusion is used) may themselves be made in this process, by infusing them with the resin as well. The studs are preferably of galvanized steel and are secured by means of an adhesive.

Abstract: A durable composite sheet is provided, with a method of manufacturing the composite sheet. The method includes using a crack-resistant reinforcement panel between a gel coat and a reinforcement panel, which may be of lauan or of other materials. At least one outer coat of material is applied onto a mold surface. A barrier layer may be formed on the outer coat, preferably by spraying. At least one coat of a resin material, containing a curable resin and optionally a filler, and a fibrous reinforcement material are applied over the outer coat (over the barrier layer if present) to form a reinforcement layer. The reinforcement panel is applied to the crack-resistant reinforcement layer, and is bonded thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a composite panel and a method of manufacturing the composite panel. The composite panel includes first and second fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) layers. The composite panel also includes a core layer disposed between the first and second FRP layers. The core layer includes one of: a honeycomb material and a foam material. The composite panel further includes an exterior layer disposed on a surface of the first FRP layer opposite the core layer and an interior layer disposed on a surface of the second FRP layer opposite the core layer. The layers are cured together in one processing step.

Abstract: A wet friction material is disclosed bonded to a plate for transmission of motion, with the friction material made up of a porous fiber substrate, which is at least partially impregnated with a catalyzed resorcinol diglycidyl ether resin to improve properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus reduces hot spotting in transmission clutch packs actuated by a piston with axial fingers engaging the clutch pack. The method and apparatus combine an alternative pack arrangement with the fingered actuator, the alternative pack preferably being an inverted double sided pack or a single sided pack. The friction plates may have single or double side friction layers, but a second set of plates are splined for rotation with the shaft when the friction plates and the piston are splined for rotation with the housing in which the shaft rotates.

Abstract: A wet friction material is disclosed bonded to a plate for transmission of motion, with the friction material made up of a porous fiber substrate, which is at least partially impregnated with a catalyzed resorcinol diglycidyl ether resin to improve properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus reduces hot spotting in transmission clutch packs actuated by a piston with axial fingers engaging the clutch pack. The method and apparatus combine an alternative pack arrangement with the fingered actuator, the alternative pack preferably being an inverted double sided pack or a single sided pack. The friction plates may have single or double side friction layers, but a second set of plates are splined for rotation with the shaft when the friction plates and the piston are splined for rotation with the housing in which the shaft rotates.

Abstract: A wet friction material is disclosed bonded to a plate for transmission of motion, with the friction material made up of a porous fiber substrate, which is at least partially impregnated with a catalyzed resorcinol diglycidyl ether resin to improve friction properties.