Abstract: An elongate, flexible, medical device having distal and proximal ends, including an inner member having a proximal and distal end, a support member extending around the inner member between the proximal and distal end, a plurality of electrically-conductive wires, each braided with the support member having a proximal and distal end, an outer member surrounding the inner member, the support member, and the plurality of electrically-conductive wires and an actuator including a polymer electrolyte layer secured adjacent to the distal end of the elongate, flexible inner member and defining an exterior surface, electrodes distributed about the exterior of the polymer electrolyte layer. The distal end of one of the electrically-conductive wires is electrically connected to one of the electrodes. The polymer electrolyte layer is configured to deform asymmetrically in response to the application of an electrical signal through the plurality of electrically-conductive wires to the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: When producing a high-pressure hydraulic line, a connection fitting is attached to a multi-layer high-pressure hose having a reinforcing layer. A portion of a reinforced high-pressure hose and a connection fitting to be joined to it are provided. The connection fitting is placed onto the end portion of the high-pressure hose and a joining operation is carried out to form a sealed connection. The quality of the connection is determined by applying an electrical test signal to at least one connection of a testing arrangement having two connections. A first connection is electrically and/or magnetically coupled to the connection fitting and a second connection is contactlessly electrically and/or magnetically coupled to a reinforcing layer of the high-pressure hose. An electrical response signal is detected and the response signal is compared with a setpoint-value range stored in a memory of the testing arrangement.

Abstract: This disclosure provides electrostatic discharge (ESD) mitigation devices. In one or more embodiments, the electrostatic discharge (ESD) mitigation device is a tubing connector to connect two or more conductive tubing segments in a fluid circuit, the tubing connector including an electrically conductive connector body with two or more attachment portions, two or more attachment fittings, and a conductive bracket configured to attach and interface with the connector body to electrically connect the connector body to ground.

Abstract: Tubing, such as medical tubing for administration of intravenous fluid, can include an inner layer, an outer layer concentrically disposed about and surrounding the inner layer, and an intermediate layer interposed between the inner and outer layers. The intermediate layer may include a light protection additive therein.

Abstract: Disclosed are reinforced structures. The structures are comprised of reinforced elements that have continuous fibers embedded in a matrix material. The reinforced elements are combined in a matrix material to form a desired shape of reinforced structure.

Abstract: A method for the fail-safe termination of in vivo drug delivery from an implantable drug delivery system, the method comprising: providing an implantable drug delivery system comprising: a housing having a reservoir for containing a drug, and a port for dispensing the drug to a patient; and an emergency deactivation unit disposed between the reservoir and the port, the emergency deactivation unit comprising a composite structure comprising a biocompatible ferromagnetic mesh open to fluid flow and a hydrophobic meltable material, the hydrophobic meltable material comprising at least one hole therein for enabling a fluid to pass through the hydrophobic meltable material; implanting the implantable drug delivery system within a patient; enabling the drug to flow from the reservoir, through the at least one hole in the hydrophobic meltable material and out the port; and when drug flow is to be terminated, applying a magnetic field to the composite structure, such that a current is induced in the ferromagnetic mes

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-lubricating composite friction part (1) that can be subjected, during operation, to temperatures that are at least equal to 250° C. The part includes, along the friction surface (2), a single layer of a material consisting of weft and warp yarns made of polytetrafluoroethylene, the material being impregnated with a thermostable resin having a glass transition temperature that is at least equal to 250° C. It is applied to a reinforcing layer (3).

Abstract: Proposed is a hydraulic cylinder rod in which a rod eye is robustly coupled to a hybrid round rod for weight reduction. To this end, the hydraulic cylinder rod is configured with a hybrid round rod including a metal tube and a composite material round rod provided for weight reduction inside the metal tube, wherein a side of the metal tube is formed to be relatively longer than the length of the composite material round rod to thereby provide a space defined by a length difference therebetween; and a rod eye is coupled to the space.

Abstract: A composite connector assembly includes first and second tubular members, each constructed from fibre-reinforced polymer and each comprising at least one layer of axial or helical fibre and each comprising an end portion with a clamping surface and an overclamp. The overclamp is arranged to at least partially enclose the end portions of the first and second tubular members and to apply a clamping force to the clamping surfaces so as to connect and hold the first and second tubular members together. In each end portion, the at least one layer of axial or helical fibre is diverted radially outwards. Each end portion may have a fibre redirecting member formed underneath the axial or helical fibre which serves to divert the axial or helical fibre radially outwards.

Abstract: A print head is disclosed for use with an additive manufacturing system. The print head may include a housing configured to receive a prefabricated woven sleeve, and a fiber guide disposed at least partially inside the housing and configured for insertion into the prefabricated woven sleeve. The print head may also include a diverter connected to an end of the fiber guide inside of a downstream mouth of the housing, and at least one cure enhancer located at the mouth of the housing.

Abstract: A method for the fail-safe termination of in vivo drug delivery from an implantable drug delivery system, the method comprising: providing an implantable drug delivery system comprising: a housing having a reservoir for containing a drug, and a port for dispensing the drug to a patient; and an emergency deactivation unit disposed between the reservoir and the port, the emergency deactivation unit comprising a composite structure comprising a biocompatible ferromagnetic mesh open to fluid flow and a hydrophobic meltable material, the hydrophobic meltable material comprising at least one hole therein for enabling a fluid to pass through the hydrophobic meltable material; implanting the implantable drug delivery system within a patient; enabling the drug to flow from the reservoir, through the at least one hole in the hydrophobic meltable material and out the port; and when drug flow is to be terminated, applying a magnetic field to the composite structure, such that a current is induced in the ferromagnetic mes

Abstract: Methods of coating a base tube are disclosed. Various methods include passing a hollow base tube into a coating die while maintaining a chamber pressure outside the hollow base tube that is lower than a pressure within an inner lumen of the hollow base tube. Such methods can include extruding coating material onto the hollow base tube to form a coated hollow tube by delivering coating material into the coating die. Vacuum may be formed within the coating die proximate a point of impingement where the coating material is applied to the hollow base tube.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid impermeable rigid composite pipe (10) or hollow tube comprising the steps of:—a. providing a supporting mandrel (15) that is shaped to define a bore of the pipe (10); b. laying onto the outer circumferential surface of the mandrel (10) one or more first tapes (11) made of a thermoplastic material thereby to create a first region (11) that is predominantly thermoplastic material adjacent the bore of the pipe (10); c. providing a plurality of tows (14) that comprise co-mingled reinforcing fibers and thermoplastic filaments; d. weaving a plurality of the tows (14) to form one or more circular braids (13) and laying down the one or more of the circular braids (13) on to the first layer (11): to form a second region (12); e. applying to the outer surface of the second region (12) a heat-shrinkable layer (13); f.

Abstract: A rubber composition of the present technology comprises: from 0.5 parts by mass to 1.5 parts by mass of sulfur, from 0.2 parts by mass to 0.6 parts by mass of a thiuram vulcanization accelerator, from 0.2 parts by mass to 0.6 parts by mass of a guanidine vulcanization accelerator, from 0.15 parts by mass to 0.8 parts by mass of a sulfenamide vulcanization accelerator, and from 0.1 parts by mass to 1.5 parts by mass of a thiourea vulcanization accelerator per 100 parts by mass of a diene polymer containing a chloroprene rubber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering spindle mounted rotatably in a steering spindle bearing unit, and comprising a guide bracket for connecting the steering spindle bearing unit to a body of the motor vehicle, wherein at least one component of the steering column is formed at least in part from a fibre-reinforced composite material, wherein a component has a thin-walled braided core which corresponds to the shape of the subsequent component, is formed from a thermoplastic material, and is braided with a fibre material, wherein the braided core is produced in an injection moulding method and contains functional elements moulded therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a structural element comprising a fiber-reinforced plastic. According to the invention, a flexible hose is provided with a tubular woven fabric and shaped into the desired form. A plastic that is preferably in liquid form is applied to the tubular woven fabric and is subsequently cured.

Abstract: There is provided a method of molding a fiber-reinforced plastic hollow part that is capable of molding, with ease and at low costs, a fiber-reinforced plastic hollow part, which has a varying cross-section or a bent portion, in a state in which its weight is sufficiently reduced and in a state where its wall thickness is substantially uniform. A reinforcing fiber (21) and a matrix resin (24) are laminated on the outer circumference of a preformed hollow resin core (10) to obtain a hollow laminate (20). A pressurizing bag (30) is inserted and positioned inside that hollow resin core (10). The hollow laminate (20) is positioned inside a mold (40). Next, heat is applied while pressure is applied to the inside of the pressurizing bag (30) of the hollow laminate (20) positioned inside the mold, thereby integrating the resin and the reinforcing fiber.

Abstract: A component having at least one structural component and one organic sheet, and a method for producing the component, are described. In a first step, a woven-fabric hose is arranged in a contour of a tool and then the tool is closed. In a second step, a plastic, in particular a melt, is injected into the woven-fabric hose arranged in the closed tool. In a third step, a fluid and/or supporting element is introduced into the woven-fabric hose, a cavity thus being formed in the woven-fabric hose. An organic sheet is formed and backmolded with a plastic, and the formed and backmolded organic sheet is bonded to the structural component to produce the component.

Abstract: The hose includes an outer jacket which includes warp and weft fibers made of Vectran®. The process for making the hose, includes: forming an inner liner and coating the exterior thereof with adhesive; weaving, in a twill weave pattern, Vectran® yarn, in a repeating 2-4-2-4-2 pattern in both the warp and the weft directions; extruding polyurethane onto the woven vectran yarn, the polyurethane extending into pillars between the warp and weft yarn, forming an outer liner; inserting the inner liner coated with adhesive within the outer liner; and, pressurizing the inner liner with steam expanding the inner liner and the adhesive into engagement with the Vectran® yarn and polyurethane pillars of the outer liner.

Abstract: A method for the production of a hollow profile, which is a cockpit cross-member for a motor vehicle, involves braiding endless fibers around a core that forms the inner contour of the hollow profile to produce a fibrous hollow structure. After the braiding, the fibrous hollow structure is, in the elastic state, removed from the core in a non-destructive manner, molded into an end contour by application of internal pressure and overmolded with a plastic.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided an apparatus to provide a panel stiffening element. The apparatus has an outer braided thermoplastic tube and an inner braided thermoplastic tube disposed within the outer braided thermoplastic tube. The apparatus further has a separation ply layer co-consolidated between the outer braided thermoplastic tube and the inner braided thermoplastic tube. The separation ply layer provides reinforcement and impact damage resistance to the inner braided thermoplastic tube in order to avoid a loss in structural loading capability.

Abstract: Provided is a filament winding apparatus (1) which moves a liner (2) while rotating the liner (2) and winds a fiber bundle (FB) around the outside peripheral face (2a) of the liner (2), said fiber bundle (FB) being guided by a fiber-feeding guide (44) positioned around the trajectory of the liner (2). The filament winding apparatus has a resin-spraying nozzle (45) for spraying a resin onto the fiber bundle (FB) at a position before the fiber bundle is wound around the liner (2), and the resin-spraying nozzle (45) is disposed so as to spray the resin onto the downstream side of the rotation direction of the liner (2) relative to an imaginary line (VL1) defied by a straight line connecting the spray nozzle (45N) of the resin-spraying nozzle (45) with the rotation axis of the liner (2).

Abstract: Provided is a method capable of easily and inexpensively molding a flanged fiber-reinforced resin hollow part with a non-uniform cross-section and a bent portion with a sufficiently reduced weight and substantially uniform thickness. To this end, a hollow laminate (20) is formed by laminating reinforced fibers (21) and matrix resin (24) on the circumference of a coupled body of a preformed hollow resin core (10) and a second core (15). The second core (15) is pulled out from the hollow laminate (20) and a region of the hollow laminate (20), from the second core (15) was pulled out, is pressed into a flange-shaped portion (26). A pressurization bag (30) is inserted into the hollow resin core (10) and it is then disposed within a shaping mold (40). Heat is applied while at the same time applying pressure to the inside of the pressurization bag (30) in the hollow laminate (20) disposed within the shaping mold, whereby the resin and the reinforced fibers are combined, inclusive of the flange-shaped portion (26).

Abstract: An inspectable joint in a medical device is disclosed that includes at least one medical-grade tube having an end, a medical-grade fitting having at least one joining surface configured to accept the end of the tube, and a joining material disposed between the tube and the joining surface. The joining material includes a first component configured to couple the tube to the fitting and a second component configured to provide observable evidence of the presence of the joining material between the tube and the joining surface.

Abstract: A wound friction coating and a method for the production thereof.

Abstract: In the field of aviation, a method of fabricating a composite-material rod. The method comprises a first step of fabricating a mandrel comprising a sleeve of composite material and solid inserts of composite material secured to the ends of said sleeve to constitute a rigid whole. Then, one or more layers of braided fibers are applied around the mandrel by using a fiber-braiding machine. Next, a resin is injected into the layers of braided fibers so as to establish cohesion rigidly bonding the braided fiber layers and at least the ends of the mandrel in order to form a rod body out of composite material having reinforced ends. Finally, respective holes are drilled at each end of the rod body, each hole passing through the layers of braided fibers and also through the corresponding insert.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite material part such as a link. The method comprises the successive operations of applying reinforcing fiber layers (14a, 14b, 14c) that are braided around a mandrel over all or part of the length of the mandrel, the layers being superposed one on another. The method includes a step of cutting an intermediate reinforcing fiber layer (14a, 14b, 14c) after it has been applied, a step of withdrawing a cut portion prior to applying the following braided layer (14b, 14c), thereby locally building up an extra thickness of reinforcing layers on each portion of the cut layer that has remained in place, the extra thickness constituting local reinforcement of the part. Resin is subsequently injected into the various braided layers prior to the resin being polymerized in order to prepare a blank. The method applies in particular to the field of aviation.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes an inner liner made of flexible material and an outer layer having a steering mechanism. The steering mechanism includes at least one flat wire and a corresponding lumen through which the flat wire may travel. The steering mechanism may also include at least one pull ring to which the flat wires are attached. A layer of heat shrink material may encompass the outer layer. A braided wire assembly may also be provided in the outer layer, and may be formed by braiding a plurality of flat wires into a wire mesh. The overall cross-section of the catheter assembly is preferably substantially circular. A catheter shaft may include a plurality of segments of differing hardness characteristics. The outer layer typically comprises a melt processing polymer such that the catheter assembly may be laminated using heat.

Abstract: A manufacture method of a three dimensional (3D) braided composite tube with a throat section includes: providing an assembled mandrel comprising an upper mandrel and a lower mandrel, and braiding an 3D braided inner layer on the upper mandrel; winding fiber yarns to form a fiber yarn layer over the 3D braided inner layer; tightening the 3D braided inner layer to the assembled mandrel by an appropriate tension force when winding; and infiltrating resin and increasing temperature to cure the resin for obtaining a composite tube with a narrower throat section. The present invention takes advantage of winding fiber yarn outer layer to keep the radius of the throat of the 3D braided inner layer to meet design requirement. Additionally, the hoop strength of the throat section is increased so that the metal shell can be made thinner to reduce the weight of the rocket nozzle.

Abstract: A method of making a variably reinforced elongate medical device includes braiding a reinforcing sleeve from a first strand including a first material and a second strand including a second material, exposing a portion of the braided reinforcing sleeve to a selected environmental stimulus or contacting the portion of the braided reinforcing sleeve with a selected substance, to thereby substantially modify the first strand in the respective exposed or contacted portion, and removing the substantially modified first strand from the respective exposed or contacted portion of the braided reinforcing sleeve, while the second strand is retained in the respective exposed or contacted portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for making one or more tubular components of medical catheters or other tubular bodies using a strip of polymer material including a length, a width, and a first surface including a lubricious or other coating or surface modification. The strip is directed adjacent an elongate mandrel, such as beading, such that the length of the strip extends along the mandrel and the coating is disposed towards the mandrel. The strip is rolled at least partially around the mandrel such that the coating or surface modification is disposed inwardly towards the mandrel, and one or more strip-constrainment members are wrapped around the rolled strip. The directing, rolling, and wrapping steps may be substantially continuous to create one or more strip-mandrel-constrainment member subassemblies.

Abstract: A chafe jacket is used with a line extending around a structure comprising a tube structure defining an inner surface and a jacket axis. The tube structure comprises fibers each defining a fiber axis. The fiber axes defined by portions of the fibers defining the interior surface of the tube structure extend at an interior fiber angle of less than approximately 50 degrees relative to the jacket axis. The chafe jacket extends around at least a portion of the line adjacent to the structure to reduce wear on the line.

Abstract: On an engine shaft of hybrid design with an externally toothed power transmission element connected at the ends of a fiber-composite plastic tube, the power transmission element is of a two-part design and includes a toothed part made of steel of a specific hardness and, frontally weldedly connected thereto, a tapering adapter part enclosed by a fiber-composite material to form a scarf-type joint and having a thermal expansion approximately equal to the expansion behavior of the fiber-composite material.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed, which is capable of delivering embolization beads for treating uterine fibroids. The elongate catheter shaft includes a radially expandable portion at its distal end, which can expand radially locally when an embolization bead passes through it. In some cases, the catheter shaft includes a non-expandable portion, with an inner diameter comparable to the bead diameter, between the handle and the radially expandable portion. In some cases, the radially expandable portion is made from a tubular braid, stretched longitudinally over a mandrel, and encased in a lubricious soft polymer while still stretched. In other cases, the radially expandable portion is made from a slotted nitinol tube, encased in a lubricious soft polymer below the nitinol transition temperature. The polymer is thick enough to prevent the encased element from returning to its unstretched diameter or a larger size above the transition temperature.

Abstract: A sport ball may include a casing and a bladder. The casing may form at least a portion of an exterior surface of the ball. The bladder may be located within the casing and formed from a plurality of polymer bladder elements joined along abutting edges to form a sealed and valveless structure that encloses a pressurized gas. In some configurations, the bladder may be at least partially formed from an ether-based thermoplastic polyurethane material.

Abstract: A method for producing an endoscope flexible tube comprising the steps of: preparing a flexible tube assembly including a spiral tube formed by spirally winding a metal strip and a cylindrical mesh sleeve, covering the spiral tube, formed by knitting metal wires; covering the flexible tube assembly with an outer coat from one end toward the other end of the flexible tube assembly by using an extrusion molding machine wherein the outer coat has a lower layer formed of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer and an upper layer formed of a thermoplastic polyester elastomer and the total thickness of the upper layer and the lower layer is made constant; and annealing the covered flexible tube assembly at a temperature in the vicinity of the softening point of the layer lower in softening point of the upper layer and the lower layer after the step of covering the flexible tube assembly with the outer coat, wherein in the step of covering with the outer coat, the melt viscosity ratio (thermoplastic polyurethane e

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a catheter shaft includes the steps of forming an inner layer of a first polymeric material, forming a plait matrix layer including a second polymeric material about the inner layer, and forming an outer layer of a third polymeric material about the plait matrix layer. The plait matrix layer includes a braided wire mesh partially or fully embedded within the second polymeric material, which is different from at least one of the first polymeric material forming the inner layer and the third polymeric material forming the outer layer. The second polymeric material has a higher yield strain and/or a lower hardness than at least the first polymeric material, and preferably both the first and the third polymeric materials. The first polymeric material and the third polymeric material may be different or the same. The catheter shaft may be formed by stepwise extrusion, co-extrusion, and/or reflow processes.

Abstract: A fluid transport structure, such as a hose, including a liner that includes a melt-processed fluoropolymer and a reinforcing sleeve received over the liner.

Abstract: A method for making a charge-air hose for a motor vehicle includes producing a continuous inliner having a cylindrical inner surface in an extrusion process while pneumatically shaping the cylindrical inner surface without a mandrel by bringing the inner cylindrical surface to an inner diameter D1. Thereafter, an elastomeric inner ply, a first knit ply, an elastomeric intermediate ply, a second knit ply and an elastomeric outer ply are applied to the inliner successively, coaxially and continuously to form a continuous charge-air hose section. The first and second knit plies are made from an endless yarn and have respective orientations different from each other. Charge-air hose blanks are cut to length and the charge-air hose blanks are shaped with a mandrel defining a curved longitudinal axis and having a diameter D2 which, in at least a longitudinal segment, is at least 6% greater than the inner diameter D1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an arm (16) in composite material, this arm comprising a main body incorporating a bearing (22) designed to receive a shaft passing through it transversely, this method comprising the steps of: manufacturing a hub (11) by winding reinforcing fibres around a generally tubular support (12); manufacturing at least one sleeve (14); attaching the hub (11) to one end of the sleeve (14) and transversely to the sleeve (14) in order to form a mandrel; applying one or more layers of braided reinforcing fibres (21) around this mandrel with a machine for braiding reinforcing fibres (19); injecting and polymerizing resin into the layer or layers of braided fibres (21). The invention applies notably to an arm forming an undercarriage rocker arm of an aircraft.

Abstract: A component for connecting structures to intersection regions of said component is disclosed, particularly for an aircraft or spacecraft, including a coupling element, including a first fibre which wraps around the coupling element so that the first fibre extends in a first plane in front of the coupling element and in a second plane behind the coupling element, the first and second planes intersecting, and including a second fibre which wraps around the coupling element so that the second fibre extends in a third plane in front of the coupling element and in a fourth plane behind the coupling element, the third and fourth planes intersecting, and with the first fibre portions of the first and second fibres crossing over in a first region and the second fibre portions of the first and second fibres crossing over in a second region.

Abstract: A method is provided for reinforcing medical balloons in order to withstand high internal pressures without excessive dilation of the reinforced balloon. The method calls for the use of a tubular reinforcement sleeve and a device designed for holding the balloon, stretching the reinforcement sleeve, application of yarn wrappings around the reinforcement sleeve, application of adhesive and curing the adhesive.

Abstract: A reticular tubular structure formed by extruded filaments of synthetic plastic material extending in two oppositely tilted directions with respect to an axial direction of the tubular reticular structure. The filaments cross one another to form a tubular net of interconnected rhomboid meshes, vertices of the rhomboid meshes being formed by crossover points between two filaments fused together, while sides of the rhomboid meshes are formed by said filaments outside the crossover points. The tubular reticular structure is molecularly oriented in both longitudinal and transverse directions thereof, and is calendered so that the crossover points, at the vertices of the rhomboid meshes, and the filaments, at the sides thereof, have the same common thickness.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier component and a method of manufacturing the component are disclosed. The method may involve forming a braided, tubular cylindrical form including a plurality of fibers having at least one of a curvilinear pattern or a helical pattern. A reinforcing form of unidirectionally oriented fibers may be positioned at a predetermined location on one of an interior or exterior surface of the braided tubular cylindrical form, to thus create a composite assembly. A resin may be used to saturate the composite assembly. An inflatable bladder and a molding tool may be used to form a finished, unitary composite part through a molding operation.

Abstract: A method of making a corded surface flexible elastomer golf club grip. An underlist is extruded of seamless tubular uncured elastomer and a pattern of textile cords wound thereon. In one version of the method, an outer seamless tubular extruded uncured elastomer layer is assembled over the cord patterned underlist. A core rod is inserted in the underlist, an uncured elastomer cap assembled on the end and the assemblage cured in a heated compression mold. Upon removal from the mold, some material is removed from the outer surface to expose some of the cord. In another version, the uncured cord wound underlist with core rod is inserted in a mold cavity and a thin outer layer of elastomer injection molded thereover and the assemblage cured in the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabricating a composite material part in which one or more layers of braided, or woven, or indeed draped reinforcing fibers are applied onto a mandrel having the general shape of a body of revolution. After one or more layers have been applied onto the mandrel, an operation is performed of winding at least one tie helically around and along the assembly constituted by the mandrel and each layer of reinforcing fibers that it carries, so as to press each layer of reinforcing fibers against the mandrel. The invention relates to fabricating composite material parts such as beams, connecting rods, or arms made out of carbon fibers.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for building hoses reinforced with spirally laid fibers, where the hose under construction (3) undergoes both rotation and advancing motion relative to the laying head (12), and where the reinforcing fibers are unwound from drums (14). The drums (14) are rotated about two axes, the first axis being the principal axis of the drums (A) and the second axis (B) being nearly parallel with the direction in which the fibers are unwound, where the direction of rotation of the drums (14) about the second axis (B) is the same as the direction in which the hose under construction (3) is rotated.

Abstract: A sleeve bearing assembly and method of construction therefor includes a woven inner portion bonded to an injection molded elastic outer portion. The inner portion includes a first yarn of lubricious yarn material and a second yarn of material that is different than the first yarn. The first yarn substantially provides an inner bearing surface and the second yarn substantially provides an outer surface that is bonded to the outer portion. The first and second yarns are woven together so that the first yarn is woven in one of a weft direction corresponding to a circumferential direction of the journal bearing surface or a warp direction corresponding to an axial direction of the journal bearing surface to substantially provide the bearing surface and the second yarn is woven in a direction different than the first yarn to substantially provide the outer surface bonded to the outer portion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a tower or component thereof for use with a wind turbine is disclosed. The method comprises weaving a fibrous tow in a shape corresponding to the shape of the tower or component to form a flexible textile preform; and laminating the flexible textile preform to form a composite shell. Also disclosed is a wind turbine assembly comprising a composite wind turbine tower and a wind turbine coupled to the tower.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a structural element comprising a fiber-reinforced plastic. According to the invention, a flexible hose is provided with a tubular woven fabric and shaped into the desired form. A plastic that is preferably in liquid form is applied to the tubular woven fabric and is subsequently cured.