Abstract: A luminaire includes at least first and second waveguides. The first waveguide has a first coupling surface extending between a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the second waveguide has a second coupling surface extending between a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The first and second coupling surfaces define a coupling cavity. The luminaire further includes at least one light source within the coupling cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a connecting rod (1) by filament winding, said method comprising in particular: creating an internal body (5) by manufacturing a first component (6) by winding pre-impregnated fibers (17) around a mandrel (8) and removing the mandrel; manufacturing a second part (7); providing a shoulder (12) in the second part (7); assembling the first component with the second component (7, 22); creating an external body (14) by winding pre-impregnated fibers (17), identical to those used in the manufacture of the first component (6), around said internal body (5); creating a one-piece body (18) by polymerizing the assembly formed of the internal body and of the external body; and machining a fastening (19) at one end of the one-piece body; wherein the one-piece body (18) and the first fastening element (19) are made up of a one and same composite material.

Abstract: A chuck device of a fiber bundle includes a pair of hands adapted to be opened/closed. The pair of hands includes a plurality of guides adapted to regulate and bend the fiber bundle under a closing state, and to release the fiber bundle under an opening state. Under the closing state, the plurality of guides holds the fiber bundle by being close to each other with tension applied on the fiber bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus for filament wrapping a composite material around an object includes a fixture onto which the object can be rotationally fixed at a selected angle from vertical designated ?, where 90°>?>0°. The fixture is secured to a rotatable planar platform. The rotatable platform permits the fixture to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the planar platform. An eyelet is provided wherethrough a composite material filament can be released to wrap the object rotationally fixed onto the fixture. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for filament wrapping a composite material around an object and helically wrapping a composite material filament around an inflator device subassembly.

Abstract: Multilayer weaving is used to form a fiber blank having a longitudinal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the vane to be made and comprising across its thickness a first woven portion with a plurality of layers of yarns interlinked by weaving, and also a second and third woven portions. The first portion is situated between the second and third portions and interlinked thereto by weaving over only a fraction of its longitudinal dimension. A preform for the vane is formed by folding out, on either side of the first portion, segments of the second and third portions not interlinked with the first portion, by shaping the first portion to form a preform portion for the airfoil of the vane, and by shaping the folded-out segments of the second and third portions to form preform portions for the inner and outer platforms of the vane to be fabricated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a profile that contains at least one layer of continuous fibers and at least one layer of discontinuous fibers. Said method allowing the selective control of features to achieve a profile that has increased transverse strength and flexural modulus. The layer of continuous fibers may be formed from one or more continuous fiber reinforced ribbons (“CFRT”) (12) that contain fibers embedded within a thermoplastic polymer matrix, whereby a void fraction and in turn is minimized and flexural modulus is optimized Further, the ribbon (s) are consolidated so that the continuous fibers remain fixed in alignment in a substantially longitudinal direction (e.g., the direction of pultrusion). In addition to enhancing the tensile properties of the profile, the use of such ribbons also allows an improved handability when placing them into the desired position within the pultrusion die.

Abstract: An aircraft lifting surface with a monolithic main supporting structure of a composite material including an upper skin having at least a part of the upper aerodynamic profile of the leading edge and/or of the trailing edge, a lower skin, a front spar, a rear spar, and leading edge ribs and/or a trailing edge ribs. The main supporting structure allows a weight and cost reduction of aircraft lifting surfaces.

Abstract: Methods of assembling a stiffened composite structure include loading, with a stiffener loading tool, a respective stiffener from a supply of stiffeners onto an inner mold line layup mandrel; repeating the loading to load a plurality of stiffeners onto the inner mold line layup mandrel; and following the repeating, affixing a respective skin segment from a supply of skin segments to the plurality of stiffeners loaded on the inner mold line layup mandrel to form at least a portion of the stiffened composite structure. Systems for assembling stiffened composite structures include a supply of stiffeners; an inner mold line layup mandrel; and a stiffener loading tool configured to load the respective stiffener onto the inner mold line layup mandrel.

Abstract: A method of forming an external rib on a helically wound article is disclosed. The method includes the steps of, in any suitable order, forming bunched strands or tows of continuous fiber, each bunch being held taught in-line with the major axis of the intended rib and successively winding each bunch or tow between successive sequentially helically wound fibers around an article former whereby the bunched strands or tows are each separated by helically wound strands of fiber, to thereby form on completion a wound article having integrally formed external support ribs of generally pyramidal section. A similar method is provided for forming an internal rib in a helically wound article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber application machine, for making components out of composite materials, comprising a fiber application head, fiber storing means, and means for conveying the fibers from said storage means to the application head. The conveying means comprises first flexible tubes, that receive one fiber into its internal passage. Each flexible tube is provided with at least one longitudinal flexible blade of rectangular cross section. Each first flexible tube and its associated flexible blade are placed in a second flexible tube so that the second flexible tube holds the flexible blade substantially against the first flexible tube, while allowing relative longitudinal movement of the flexible blade in relation to the first flexible tube.

Abstract: A method of making a non-clogging porous fibrous mass is disclosed. The fibrous mass comprises intimately blended first and second groups of staple fibers having different tack points and longitudinal stress-free shrinkages. The fibrous mass is fed into and pulled through a heat bonding and shaping die and cut to a desired length. Specific ratios of weight percent to fiber denier and differences between the longitudinal stress-free shrinkages of the groups of fibers are utilized in order to render the bonded fibrous mass non-clogging.

Abstract: A method of accelerating a curing process in resin overflow systems for use in casting processes includes the step of adding a curing accelerator for the resin into the resin overflow system. In addition, a resin overflow container and a compartment with a curing accelerator for use in casting processes are provided.

Abstract: The embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for preferably producing a two layer off-axis composite prepreg material in tape form that has fiber direction at angles such as plus or minus five degrees to the longitudinal direction of the backing paper. The use of such off-axis prepreg composite material tape is primarily for fabricating high length-to-width ration parts such as composite wing stringers or spars for aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft protection device for protecting potentially exposed aircraft structures from direct impacts and a method of protecting an exposed edge of an aircraft component. The method includes the steps of winding filament around a foam core to create an impact protection device. A portion of the filament winding and foam core is removed from the impact protection device to create a receiving section whereby the receiving section is configured to correspond to and receive the exposed edge of the aircraft component. The impact protection device is secured to the exposed edge of the aircraft component such that the exposed edge is received in the receiving portion of the impact protection device.

Abstract: Dispersions of nanoparticles in a resin component are described. The nanoparticles have a multimodal particle size distribution including at least a first mode and a second mode. The number average particle diameter of the particles in the first mode is greater than the number average particle size distribution in the second mode. The use of multimodal nanoparticle size distributions and the relative number of particles in the first and second mode to reduce or eliminate particle stacking behavior is also described.

Abstract: An industrial fabric, belt or sleeve and a method of making the fabric, belt or sleeve are disclosed. The industrial fabric, belt or sleeve is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, around two rolls in a side-to-side manner in which a gap between adjacent edges is formed. A second material, for example a gap filler material, is placed between the adjacent edges, and the adjoining edges are joined by melting the filler material, strips of polymeric material, or both. The gap filler material can have a specific cross-sectional shape corresponding to the gap.

Abstract: A filament winding method performs a hoop winding step including a first step of fixing an end of a fiber bundle to a liner surface at a starting position of hoop winding, a second step of hoop winding the fiber bundle having the end fixed to the liner surface in the first step, a third step of fixing the fiber bundle hoop wound in the second step to the liner surface at an ending position of hoop winding, and a fourth step of cutting the fiber bundle upstream in a fiber bundle supplying direction of the position where the fiber bundle is fixed in the third step.

Abstract: A method for producing a fiber-reinforced plastic component is specified. In a first step, a positive arrangement is produced by fixing at least one reinforcement ready to be used on a positive core. In a second step, fibers are wound around the positive arrangement, concave regions of the positive arrangement that are formed by the reinforcement being spanned by the fibers. In a third step, the entire area of the fibers is pressed onto the positive arrangement in a negative mould. Finally, the component is cured in the negative mould following the introduction of a cross-linking plastic.

Abstract: A tool (2, 102, 202) is constructed from a plurality of tessellating elements (34, 134, 234) to form a mandrel for the deposition of composite fibres.

Abstract: Winding method for the production of a rotationally symmetric, tube-like hollow body preform, device (10) for the production of a rotationally symmetric, tube-like hollow body preform and a method for the production of a device for producing a rotationally symmetric, tube-like hollow body preform, wherein reinforcing fibres soaked with a resin are wound in a winding process on a rotatably driven winding core (1) having an outside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the hollow body preform and wherein the hollow body preform is removed from the winding core after a subsequent hardening of the hollow body preform by means of supplied heat. For the winding process and/or hardening of the hollow body preform, the outside diameter of the winding core corresponds to the inside diameter of the hollow body preform to be produced, wherein the outside diameter of the winding core is reduced to a smaller outside diameter for the removal of the hollow body preform from the winding core.

Abstract: A method for producing a fiber preform by winding at least one thread in a groove of a mold. The method involves using a flexible element which is capable of becoming deformed by means of flexion, in a plane which contains the winding axis, in order to penetrate into the groove in order to push the sections of the thread(s) towards the base of the groove and/or towards zones which cannot be accessed directly by the thread(s). A set of tools for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Electronic device frames may be formed from fiber composites. Carbon fiber material may be formed into frame members using pultrusion tools. Notches may be machined into the frame members. The machined frame members may be assembled to form a rectangular frame assembly using lap joints. Fiber tape may be wound around the periphery of the frame assembly. Following curing, additional parts such as a metal blank may be bonded to the frame assembly and machined.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition [composition (C)] comprising: (i) from 30 to 90% by weight of at least one epoxy compound [compound E], based on the total weight of the composition (C); (ii) from 0 to 60% by weight of at least one curing agent [agent C], based on the total weight of the composition (C); (iii) from 0 to 15% by weight of at least one accelerator, based on the total weight of the composition (C); (iv) from 1 to 60% by weight of at least one poly(aryl ether sulfone) (I) [PAES (I-1)], based on the total weight of the composition (C) and wherein said PAES (I-1) polymer comprises amine functional groups in an amount equal to or more than 200 ?eq/g; (v) from 1 to 60% by weight of at least one poly(aryl ether sulfone) (I) [PAES (I-2)], based on the total weight of the composition (C), and wherein said PAES (I-2) polymer is different from the PAES (I-1) polymer.

Abstract: An impregnation mandrel for production of gas turbine casings made from composite material, the mandrel including: an annular wall with a profile of an outer surface that corresponds to that of an internal surface of the casing to be produced; two side plates, with profiles that correspond to those of external casing flanges to be produced; and a removable device for clamping a layer having a fibrous texture, which is wound around the mandrel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of making a fiber-reinforced composite. Glass fibers may be provided. These glass fibers may be treated with a sizing composition that has a coupling-activator compound with the formula: S—X-(A)n, where S represents a silicon-containing coupling moiety capable of bonding to the surface of glass fibers, X represents a linking moiety, and (A)n represents one or more polymerization activator moieties. The treated glass fibers may be combined with a resin to make a fiber-resin mixture. The resin may have a monomer, a catalyst, and an activator compound capable of initiating a polymerization of the monomer. The monomer may be a lactam or lactone having 3-12 carbon atoms in the main ring. The fiber-resin mixture may then be cured so that the monomer polymerizes to form a thermoplastic polymer matrix of the fiber-reinforced composite. The thermoplastic polymer matrix may be formed by in situ polymerization initiated from both the surface of the glass fibers and the resin.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for containing materials under elevated pressures includes a metal liner and an adhesive layer, applied to the outer surface of the metal liner, where the adhesive layer is treated with a vacuum bag in order to secure the adhesive to the outer surface of the liner. An overwrap layer is applied on top of the adhesive on the outer surface of the metal finer, where the overwrap layer is formed by winding a filamentary material around the liner, such that the filamentary material adheres to the adhesive forming an overwrap layer on the outer surface of the metal liner, forming the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fiber-reinforced ceramic composite material honeycomb, including: a plurality of inner tubes, each of which is made of a fiber-reinforced ceramic composite material; and an outer shell which is made of a fiber-reinforced ceramic composite material and which surrounds the plurality of inner tubes.

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: A dome connector for a flywheel rim to shaft attachment is provided. The dome connector includes a helically wound composite band that extends from a first port to a second port. The helically wound composite band has a helical angle in relation to a line perpendicular to a center of axis of the dome connector. The helical angle is selected to at least in part achieve a desired stiffness in the dome connector.

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

Abstract: A panel former is provided for producing a panel that is formed from polymer tubing for solar collectors, heat exchangers, and other devices. The panel former can receive the tubing and continuously wrap the tubing around a drum so that support members can be welded to the tubing. After the support members are welded to the tubing, the tubing can be cut along a line substantially parallel to the support members to remove the tubing from the panel former and to form the risers in a panel.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for producing filament-wound products such as pressure vessels and pipes includes a mandrel for supporting a pre-form vessel, a mandrel driver structured to rotate the pre-form vessel, and an array of individual filament supports for guiding individual filaments used in producing the vessel. Using the unique aspects of the apparatus which avoids the customary high-angle fiber crossings significantly speeds up manufacturing and thus lowers product cost, increases product lifetime, reduces fatigue stress, and reduces weight of the finished product. Methods of production are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the reeling up of fiber bundles, in particular of hollow fiber membrane bundles, and in particular for the manufacture of dialysis filters, includes a reel carrier rotatable around a main axis. The apparatus includes at least two reels which are rotatably supported on the reel carrier, with the axes of rotation of the reels being perpendicular to the main axis of the reel carrier. The apparatus can be used for the wrapping of a fiber bundle with a film, having a receiver of first and second side elements and a flexible channel fastened between them for the reception of the film and the fiber bundle. A drive is provided to move at least the first side element transversely to the channel, and at least one folding device movable transversely to the channel for the folding of the film around the fiber bundle.

Abstract: An industrial fabric, belt or sleeve and a method of making the fabric, belt or sleeve are disclosed. The industrial fabric, belt or sleeve is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, and joining the adjoining sides of the strips of material using ultrasonic welding or laser welding techniques. The fabric, belt or sleeve may then be perforated using a suitable technique to make it permeable to air and/or water.

Abstract: A system for applying composite fiber to a lay-up tool has a fixed creel for supplying fiber to the fiber placement dispensing head and a fixed arm having a first end attached to the creel and having a second end attached to the dispensing head. The dispensing head is fixed on the end of the arm. A robot having a first and second pivot axis and at least a first wrist supports the lay-up tool. The robot manipulates the tool for application of fiber from the head to the tool. Manipulating the tool instead of the dispensing head allows the path length for the fiber between the creel and head to be fixed in length and orientation during application of fiber to the tool.

Abstract: A method of vacuum-assisted RTM includes disposing a resin distribution medium on one surface of a reinforcing-fiber substrate, covering the whole with a bag material, reducing the pressure inside the bag material, and injecting a resin into the resin distribution medium to distribute the resin substantially in in-plane directions and then impregnate the resin into the reinforcing-fiber substrate in the thickness direction.

Abstract: A tape laminating machine having a compaction roller lays up composite tape over a substrate having a convex radius. The compaction roller folds the tape as it moves over the convex radius, while simultaneously pivoting about a trailing edge of the tape to prevent the compaction roller from lifting off the tape laid just before the convex radius.

Abstract: An industrial fabric such as an endless belt or sleeve for use in the production of nonwovens, and a method of making thereof are disclosed. The industrial fabric is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, and joining the adjoining sides of the strips of material using ultrasonic welding or laser welding techniques. The fabric may then be perforated using a suitable technique to make it permeable to air and/or water.

Abstract: A composite cone assembly for use with a frac or bridge plug system is discussed herein having shaped outer contours and the strength needed for high pressure applications but with reduced machining requirements by forming part of the cone assembly from a high strength fiber material and the contoured surface from molding, such as from injection molding or compression molding.

Abstract: A method of making a water vapor transport membrane is described. The method can include providing two sheets, each sheet comprising a support layer with an ionomer layer thereon; applying a solvent to at least one sheet; and contacting the ionomer layers of the two sheets to form a composite membrane comprising a composite ionomer layer between the two support layers. A composite membrane is also described.

Abstract: An efficient and cost-effective method of manufacturing a kink-resistant tube, wherein a coated wire is wound around a mandrel while simultaneously being heated to melt the coating, is provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elongate insert configured to be integrated by CIC in a metal container, including coated yarns bonded together, the coated yarns being formed from metal-coated ceramic fibers. The method includes placing the coated yarns side by side in a bundle and pulling the fiber bundle through a shaping element so as to compact the fiber bundle transversely while forming the fiber bundle so as to have a defined cross section. A metal part incorporating a fibrous insert can be manufactured by the CIC technique.

Abstract: A composite tie rod comprises an open lattice body formed of interlaced filaments held in a solid matrix. A pair of composite fittings bonded to the ends of the body rigidly connect rod ends with the body. The rod ends form attachment points on the tie rod.

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 method for applying carbon nanotube films is provided. The method includes the following steps. At least one pre-laid supporter is placed on a film application device including a rotation axis and a rotator. The rotator is capable of rotating about the rotation axis, and includes a number of support surfaces, wherein the at least one pre-laid supporter is attached on the plurality of support surfaces. A carbon nanotube film is drawn from a carbon nanotube array that is supported by a supplier. One end of the carbon nanotube film away from the carbon nanotube array is adhered to one of the at least one pre-laid supporter. The rotator is rotates about the rotation axis such that the carbon nanotube film is applied on the at least one pre-laid supporter; and cutting the carbon nanotube film with a cutter.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a process for production of a reinforcement (10) for composite material comprising at least two layers (12, 14) intended to be embedded in a polymer matrix, characterized in that at least one (14) of the layers is comprised of continuous filaments (16) in one main direction F and in that these filaments are positioned with variable spacing along this main direction F.

Abstract: A roll coating is manufactured having fiber and polyurethane made from aromatic isocyanate. The roll coating incorporates fiber having improved strength during the manufacturing stage, and so does not crack, as a result of which the coating can be manufactured in a simple, efficient and inexpensive manner. A roll of a fiber web machine has a roll body having a coating of fiber and polyurethane that is made from aromatic isocyanate, on the roll body.

Abstract: A method is provided for making an elastic composite for incorporation into a disposable absorbent garment. An elastic element applicator is provided that is configured to move a section of a continuous strand of elastic element generally about a plane. A first web of material is conveyed in a first web moving direction such that the first web intersects the plane. Then, the applicator is operated to move the elastic element about the plane, thereby applying the section of elastic element onto the first web along a direction generally transverse to the web moving direction and such that the first web draws the continuous elastic strand from the elastic element applicator as the first web is conveyed away from the plane. The elastic element applicator may be in the form of a spin cylinder or bracket that is operated to spin the elastic element about the moving first web, thereby applying the elastic element on the first web.

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: An apparatus and a method for preparing a pre-form including at least one layer of fiber tows being at least partly fixed by a resin. The apparatus includes a work surface, a fiber tow distribution device, a fiber tow retention device, and a manipulation, device which is adapted to move the fiber tow distribution device relative to the fiber tow retention device. The apparatus is arranged so that free ends of the fiber tows can be delivered from the fiber tow distribution device to the fiber tow retention device, and the fiber tow retention device is adapted for retention of the free ends so that mutual movement of the fiber tow distribution device and the fiber tow retention device away from each other causes drawing of the fiber tows through distribution passage and distribution hereof onto the work surface.