Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tank includes: a winding step of winding a fiber impregnated with thermosetting resin before curing on a liner; a shape changing step of making the shape of the liner larger than the shape thereof at the time of the winding step, the shape changing step being performed after the winding step; and a curing step of heating and curing the thermosetting resin while the shape of the liner is increased by the shape changing step.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high pressure tank includes: preparing a liner; forming a fiber reinforced resin layer which is a layer of a fiber reinforced resin on an outer side of the liner, and forming a resin layer which is a layer formed of a portion of a thermosetting resin on an outer surface of the fiber reinforced resin layer; increasing a temperature of the fiber reinforced resin layer and the resin layer to a predetermined temperature which is a temperature at which the thermosetting resin is cured; causing a pressure in the liner to be regulated to be a second pressure higher than a first pressure which is a pressure in the liner in the forming of the fiber reinforced resin layer and the resin layer; and maintaining the temperature of the fiber reinforced resin layer and the resin layer at the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A toolage for manufacturing a tubular preform of fibers comprising a mold which has a deposition surface on which are superposed laps of fibers and a compacting device configured to cap the mold. The compacting device comprises first and second rings, at least one seal-tight flexible conduit linked to the first and second rings and at least one rigid link element linking the first and second rings. Such a compacting device makes it possible to greatly reduce the time for it to be installed, which makes it possible to reduce the duration of the compacting cycles.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elastomeric article with improved lubricity and donnablity and reduced stickiness/tackiness. According to the methods of the invention, the internal surface of the elastomeric article is coated with a polyisoprene coating. The coating of the invention is formed from synthetic polyisoprene rubber that may or may not contain minor amounts of other components. The coating is preferably directly bonded to the underlying elastomeric article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating a composite piston pin, including: preparing the piston pin of which at least surface layer includes a composite material including a reinforcing fiber and a resin; improving roughness by processing the surface layer of the piston pin; and forming a coating layer on the surface layer processed to reduce a friction coefficient of the piston pin.

Abstract: A glove includes: a glove body made of fibers, the glove body being for covering a hand of a wearer; and a coating layer made of a resin or rubber, the coating layer being overlaid at least on a palm region of the outer surface of the glove body, in which a loop yarn is used as a knitting yarn of the glove body, and irregularities arising from the loop yarn are provided on the surface of the coating layer. The ten-point mean roughness (Rz) of the surface of the coating layer is preferably no less than 300 ?m and no greater than 1,200 ?m. The average outer diameter of loops of the loop yarn is preferably no less than 1 mm and no greater than 6 mm. The average distance between loops of the loop yarn is preferably no less than 1 mm and no greater than 10 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighter than air vehicle comprising: an envelope containing a lighter than air gas, at least part of the envelope admitting the passage of light through the at least part of the envelope; and a directing device for selectively redirecting the light which passes through the at least part of the envelope. The vehicle may further comprises a plurality of devices for using incident light. The directing device for selectively redirecting the light may be for selectively redirecting the light onto a selected device, for example, by switching the positions of two or more devices into the path of the light.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting an inner radial surface of a radial member of a turbomachine from corrosion are provided. The method may include shaping the inner radial surface of the radial member and a corresponding outer radial surface of a corrosion-resistant liner. The method may also include heating the radial member to increase a diameter of the inner radial surface of the radial member, and inserting at least a portion of the corrosion-resistant liner into the radial member. The method may further include attaching the corrosion-resistant liner to the inner radial surface of the radial member to thereby protect the inner radial surface of the radial member of the turbomachine from corrosion.

Abstract: A multilayered heat-recoverable article 1 includes a base material layer 10 and an adhesive layer 11 disposed on an inner side of the base material layer 10. The adhesive layer 11 does not flow at a temperature of 135° C. and includes a thermoplastic resin and a viscosity characteristics modifier composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of silica, an organically treated layered silicate, and a deterioration inhibitor. In the case where the multilayered heat-recoverable article 1 is used to cover an insulated electrical wire which includes a conductor and a polyvinyl chloride layer provided on the outer periphery thereof, cracks do not occur in the polyvinyl chloride layer under heating conditions at 135° C. for 200 hours.

Abstract: A fixing member manufacturing method includes: a step of holding a longitudinal end of a resin tube by a first holding tool; a step of holding another longitudinal end of the resin tube by a second holding tool; a step of decreasing a distance between the first and second holding tools each holding the resin tube, by a predetermined amount; a step of expanding, after the decreasing step, the resin tube in a radial direction; and a step of externally fitting the resin tube, expanded in the radial direction, around an elastic material coated with an adhesive.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may involve hierarchical balloon networks that include both optical and radio frequency links between balloons. An exemplary network system may include: (a) a plurality of super-node balloons, where each super-node balloon comprises a free-space optical communication system for data communications with one or more other super-node balloons and (b) a plurality of sub-node balloons, where each of the sub-node balloons comprises a radio-frequency communication system that is operable for data communications. Further, at least one super-node balloon may further include an RF communication system that is operable to transmit data to at least one sub-node balloon, where the RF communication system of the at least one sub-node balloon is further operable to receive the data transmitted by the at least one super-node balloon and to transmit the received data to at least one ground-based station.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a label opening unit, which preliminarily opens a tubular label folded in a sheet; a label expansion unit, which expands the preliminarily opened label; a bottle lifting unit having a mounting, on which the bottle is mounted and which can rise and fall; and a bottle pull-up unit, which lifts the bottle while holding with the bottle an upper end portion of the label attached to the bottle. After the bottle lifting unit has lifted the mounting on which the bottle is mounted, thereby inserting the bottle into the label expanded by the label expansion unit, the bottle pull-up unit pulls up the bottle, thereby removing expansion claws from the label and moving the bottle to above clamp members of the label opening unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as both a rigid lay-up tool and a bladder. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. Next, composite material may be applied onto the SMP apparatus and then placed into a rigid external tool and heated to composite cure temperatures at which the SMP apparatus is malleable. A pressure differential may be induced which urges the SMP apparatus to compress the composite material against the rigid external tool. When the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be urged away from the cured composite material and removed from within the composite part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as a rigid lay-up tool. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. The composite material and/or nested components may be heated and compressed against the SMP apparatus. The SMP apparatus may be configured to remain rigid during the composite cure cycle. Once the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be triggered to a malleable state and urged away from the cured composite material.

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 carbon fiber tubular pole and method of construction thereof. The pole includes a left in place lightweight mandrel, preferably formed of tubular polyvinylchloride or cardboard, which substantially reduces cost of manufacture. Moreover, an outer tubular glass fiber sleeve over a tubular carbon fiber sleeve resin saturated through and through maintains the aesthetic appearance of the black carbon fiber while substantially strengthening the end product. A second outer layer of a mixture of resin and colloidal silica over the cured resin layer adds shine and increases smoothness.

Abstract: A carbon fiber tubular pole and method of construction thereof. The pole includes a left in place lightweight mandrel, preferably formed of tubular polyvinylchloride or cardboard, which substantially reduces cost of manufacture. A socket is formed in the carbon fiber tubular pole for receiving an adjacent carbon fiber tubular pole.

Abstract: A fixing member manufacturing method includes: a step of holding a longitudinal end of a resin tube by a first holding tool; a step of holding another longitudinal end of the resin tube by a second holding tool; a step of decreasing a distance between the first and second holding tools each holding the resin tube, by a predetermined amount; a step of expanding, after the decreasing step, the resin tube in a radial direction; and a step of externally fitting the resin tube, expanded in the radial direction, around an elastic material coated with an adhesive.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis including a longitudinally compressed generally tubular substrate defining a longitudinal axis, a plurality of expandable segments disposed over the substrate and spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, and a graft member positioned over the segments. The graft member may include a lattice structure. Adjacent expandable segments may be connected by one or more filaments.

Abstract: A draping device for draping a two-dimensional textile semi-finished product includes a first rotationally symmetrical body having a first axis of rotation and a peripheral surface which varies along the axis of rotation. A first drive is configured to rotate the first body about the first axis of rotation so as to deform, via the first body, the semi-finished product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming fluoroplastic articles including inner and outer fluoroplastic layers and a metal meshwork, the metal meshwork being arranged between the inner and outer fluoroplastic layers, characterized by the meshwork being stretchable and compressible in an axial direction.

Abstract: Method of making a balloon catheter includes melt-extruding a thermoplastic polymeric material into a tube, cooling the extruded tube, placing the extruded tube within a capture member and biaxially orienting the polymeric material of the extruded tube while simultaneously tapering at least a section of the extruded tube by radially expanding the extruded tube with pressurized media in the tube lumen and axially expanding the extruded tube with an external load applied on at least one end of the tube as an external heat supply traverses longitudinally from a first end to a second end of the extruded tube in the capture member, wherein an overall axial load on the tubing is varied as at least a section of the tube is heated. The method includes cooling the expanded tube to form a tapered biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member and sealingly securing a balloon proximate a distal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A device and method for applying elastic film sleeves to containers, where a plurality of stretching units for stretching the film sleeves and a plurality of removal units for removing the containers that have been provided with the film sleeves are mounted on a labeling carousel. Furthermore, a label dispenser is provided for equipping the stretching units with the film sleeves. Due to the fact that the removal units include gripping units that can be moved back and forth with respect to the labeling carousel between a gripping position for gripping the containers and an avoidance position for avoiding a collision with the label dispenser, the size and shape of the gripping units can be varied flexibly. Also, an evasion movement of the stretching units in the area of the label dispenser is dispensable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as a rigid lay-up tool. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. The composite material and/or nested components may be heated and compressed against the SMP apparatus. The SMP apparatus may be configured to remain rigid during the composite cure cycle. Once the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be triggered to a malleable state and urged away from the cured composite material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as both a rigid lay-up tool and a bladder. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. Next, composite material may be applied onto the SMP apparatus and then placed into a rigid external tool and heated to composite cure temperatures at which the SMP apparatus is malleable. A pressure differential may be induced which urges the SMP apparatus to compress the composite material against the rigid external tool. When the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be urged away from the cured composite material and removed from within the composite part.

Abstract: A coreless filter cartridge includes a filtration media having a plurality of pleats formed in a tubular configuration. The filtration media includes a first end that extends to a second end through an intermediate portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a hollow core. At least one retention device is adhered to the exterior surface of the filtration media. The at least one retention device is configured and disposed to limit radial movement of the filtration media. The filter cartridge is devoid of an internal core support provided within the hollow core thereby establishing a coreless filter cartridge.

Abstract: A liner panel, such as a cassette 120 of a fan track liner of a gas turbine engine, is secured to a casing of the engine at flanges 124 and 126. Foam pads 42 are disposed between the casing 40 and the cassette 120 to support the cassette 120 from the casing 40. The pads 42 may be made from a reticulated polyurethane foam which is sufficiently resilient to be compressed and to expand to remain in contact with the cassette 120 and the casing 40 as the cassette 120 moves towards and away from the casing 40 during the assembly process. The foam is impregnated with a hardener composition which is uncured during installation of the cassette 120, but subsequently cures to increase the rigidity of the pads 42.

Abstract: A pipe is wrapped with a composite to form a pre-stressed interface to facilitate load sharing between the materials. Prior to being wrapped, the pipe is placed in tension via hydraulic devices or the like. Alternatively, a combination of cured and uncured composite wraps is used in proximity to each other to apply compressive stress to the pipe. In addition, the pipe may be subjected to cold temperatures to change its dimensions prior to being wrapped with a composite material.

Abstract: A strip of membrane material is laminated to a wider strip of netting and then the longitudinal edges of the strip of netting are seamed together into a sleeve for receiving aggregate to form an elongated tubular drainage element. The laminated peripheral portion of the resultant sleeve is used as the top of the drainage element to preclude fine material from entering the drainage element. Where a membrane is used to form the sleeve, holes or slits are placed in the peripheral portion of the sleeve that is to form the bottom of the drainage element. The seaming of the overlapped longitudinal edges of the membrane is effected using glue and a nozzle that blows air under pressure onto the seam to force the edges and glue to bond together.

Abstract: A vessel-loop having an elastic tube and a needle attached to one end thereof for use in various surgical procedures, and a method for forming same. The method includes the steps of positioning a heat-sensitive element within a section of elastic tubing, applying tensile forces to the opposed ends of the tubing section, and heating the heat-sensitive element and the portion of the tubing adjacent the heat-sensitive element so that the heat-sensitive element adheres to the adjacent tubing portion. The heat-sensitive element and the adjacent tubing portion are allowed to cool until a conjoined reduced-diameter portion is formed. The reduced-diameter portion is cut to form two ends, each having a reduced-diameter end. The reduced-diameter ends are then each secured to a needle, forming two vessel loops.

Abstract: A pipe insulation product including a core of insulating material and a laminate. The core includes a cylindrical outer surface; a cylindrical inner surface; and a wall extending between the cylindrical outer surface and the cylindrical inner surface. The laminate includes a metallized polymeric film sheet layer forming an inner layer, a scrim, a porous media sheet layer, and a polymeric film sheet layer forming an outer exposed layer bonded together via an adhesive. The laminate is coextensive with and bonded to the cylindrical outer surface of the core and the laminate and core are flexible so that the core and laminate can be opened, placed about a pipe, and closed without degrading the laminate.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis including a longitudinally compressed generally tubular substrate defining a longitudinal axis, a plurality of expandable segments disposed over the substrate and spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, and a graft member positioned over the segments. The graft member may include a lattice structure. Adjacent expandable segments may be connected by one or more filaments.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for insulating a structure is disclosed. The system may include an insulation panel. The insulation panel may define an internal volume. The internal volume may be at a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation panel. The insulation panel may be disposed within a portion of the structure.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to multilayer mesh slings formed from a tubular mesh material.

Abstract: A modular rotary anvil for mounting on an ultrasonic welding machine. The modular rotary anvil includes a first end segment configured to attach to the ultrasonic welding machine, a second end segment configured to attach to the ultrasonic welding machine, and at least one insert having a first side and a second side. Each of the first side and the second side is configured to attach to at least one of other inserts, the first end segment, and the second end segment.

Abstract: A prosthesis, and method for forming same, are provided which includes expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tubes having angularly offset node and fibril configurations. Also, the node and fibril configurations are angularly offset from the longitudinal axes of the respective tubes, providing resistance against failure in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A printer provided with a unit for forming an image and an endless intermediate belt trained under tension around rollers in such manner that the belt can rotate over the rollers, the intermediate belt being operatively connected to the said unit for transfer of the image from the unit to a receiving material, wherein the belt comprises a fabric of threads as a support, the threads of the fabric being so positioned that when the intermediate belt rotates, a deviation of said belt axially is substantially independent of the tension.

Abstract: Method of holding in place a transcutaneous implant by applying an adhesive in liquid form to the implant and the area of the patient's skin about the needle and allowing the adhesive to set. The implant is constituted by an infusion needle, a catheter or any transcutaneous implant. Whenever the adhesive is in liquid form, it has such a surface tension that it will flow along the implant and the skin to reach a terminal point, which is the point at which the implant is inserted. The adhesive is applied in liquid form and flows along the implant and the skin to reach the point at which the implant is inserted, and then allowed to set to hold the implant in place.

Abstract: A method for efficiently producing a stiffened hollow structure from a first skin member, a second skin member and a stiffener each made of a fiber-reinforced composite with reduced steps, the stiffened hollow structure comprising a hollow skin portion and a stiffening portion for strengthening the hollow skin portion from the inside. The method comprises the steps of: (1) disposing the first skin member and the second skin member on the stiffener, an adhesive being provided between the stiffener and each of the first skin member and the second skin member; (2) placing a band on the outer surface of the first skin member and the second skin member; and (3) setting the adhesive while tightening the band and applying a tensile force to the first skin member and the second skin member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing composite parts includes positioning a plurality of composite layers on an application surface formed by a plurality of tooling members and filler members on a mandrel. A part formation aid is disposed on the composite layers above each tooling member. The filler members are then removed, and the composite layers slit over the recesses. The mandrel, the tooling members, the composite layers, and the part formation aids are placed in a vacuum bag. As the bag is evacuated, each part formation aid forces the side edge of the composite layers formed by the slit around the respective tooling member, thereby forming a composite part with a desired shape, thickness, and density. In an alternate embodiment, a flanged composite panel is formed around a rectangular mandrel after positioning composite layers on an outer surface of the mandrel and an outer surface of a filler member disposed on one end of the mandrel.

Abstract: A composite structural material suitable, for example, as a replacement for wooden boards, is disclosed. It comprises a dimensionally stable core material ensheathed in a dimensionally stable, laminar covering that is adherent to the core material. The laminar covering is comprised of at least one layer of parallel cords bonded to at least one layer of a rigidified web material selected from the group consisting of paper and cloth. Suitable core materials include polyurethane foam, optionally filled with granulated rubber and/or expandable polymer beads. The parallel cords preferably are supplied in the form of a strip of polyester cloth, as the warp cords thereof. The web material preferably is kraft paper that is rigidified with an epoxy resin.

Abstract: In a lamination process, a method for changing the withdrawal of a top layer to be applied to a base material at a belt type press by feeding of the forward end of the top layer from a second roller to the rearward end of the top layer from a first roller. The top layer from the first roller is then cut off in coordination with the arrival of the forward end of the top layer arriving from the second roller, so that the ends of both top layers are positioned on the base material flush with one another with a slight separating line or in an overlapping manner.

Abstract: The bond strength between a pre-cured elastomeric member and a metal surface is increased by applying a phosphate coating to the metal surface. This is particularly suitable for use in formation of torsional vibration dampeners wherein an elastomeric member is compression fitted between an outer annular ring and a hub thereby decreasing slippage between the annular weigh and the hub.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire is highly precisely and efficiently manufactured by a method wherein, during formation of a green tire, at least one constitutive member, such as a sidewall (17), is formed by radially outwardly expanding a widthwise center portion of a substantially cylindrical carcass band (13), and subsequently winding an unvulcanized rubber strip and joining the rubber strip onto an outer peripheral surface of the expanded carcass band (13).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional garment. The process is carried out by loading an insert onto an expandable/retractable process loop fixture. A waist elastic member can be bonded to a waist area of the insert. A garment shell can be applied over the insert and the waist elastic member. A waist area of the garment shell can be attached to the waist elastic member and to the waist area of the insert.

Abstract: The bond strength between a pre-cured elastomeric member and a metal surface is increased by applying a phosphate coating to the metal surface. This is particularly suitable for use in formation of torsional vibration dampeners wherein an elastomeric member is compression fitted between an outer annular ring and a hub thereby decreasing slippage between the annular weight and the hub.

Abstract: In a digital system having a host, a controller device and at least one flash memory integrated circuit, a method and apparatus for storing location identification information regarding blocks of information within at least one of the flash memory integrated circuits wherein at least two buffers within the at least one of the flash memory integrated circuits are designated as primary and secondary buffers for storing the identification information in the primary buffer until the primary buffer is effectively full and storing additional identification information in the secondary buffer until it is effectively full, swapping buffer designation so that the primary buffer becomes the secondary buffer and the secondary buffer becomes the primary buffer, erasing the effectively-full buffer for re-use and in this manner, continuously swapping storage of identification information between the two buffers.

Abstract: An extendible sheet member is configurable between first and second states. The first state is a coiled state (1.1) in which the member is coiled substantially parallel to a first axis and the second state is an extended state (1.2) in which the member extends substantially parallel to a second axis at some angle to the first axis. The member is made wholly or in part from a material or materials which give rise to internal stresses upon extension, these stresses acting at some angle to the second axis such as to bias the member to the second state. In many embodiments these stresses are produced by fibers which form part of the structure of said member. Said member is preferably reversibly configurable between said first and second states.

Abstract: The support is designed to keep in expanded condition an elastic covering sleeve for elongated cylindrical elements such as electric cable joints and the like. The support comprises a tape wound spirally in side-by-side turns so as to take on a cylindrical tubular form and mutual constraint means between the turns to keep the tape in wound condition. In accordance with the invention the tape and the constraint means are provided in different materials.

Abstract: Small compression type injection site in the form of a self-sealing septum-like member that is self-sealing for hypodermic needle punctures and the like and a method of manufacture. Compressive stresses are introduced into a stretched elastomeric rod, whereby the decreased diameter cross section is maintained by placing a wrapping around and about the stretched rod and adhesively sealing it thereto. Sliced cross-sectional pieces of the rod then provide injection sites to be incorporated into the wall of an implantable prosthesis as by bonding or the like.