Abstract: An overmoded dielectric-lined waveguide, particularly for the 0.03 to 3 terahertz frequency range, is disclosed with performance advantages relative to prior dielectric-lined waveguides, cost and size advantages relative to corrugated waveguides, and with coupling, bandwidth, and cost advantages relative to micro-structured-fiber waveguides. The waveguide comprises a single-clad flexible microwave laminate rolled into a cylinder with said copper surface on an outside of said guide tube and said dielectric surface on an inside of said guide tube. The rolled laminate is supported inside a metal tube. The same method of achieving the structure needed for efficient guiding of HE11 mode may be applied to a conical tube to make a low-cost efficient overmoded tapered waveguide transition for the 0.03-3 THz range.

Abstract: Piece comprising a first metal part and a second part in organic matrix composite material, wherein the first part has a first connecting portion and the second part has a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion having at least one through-hole, the second connecting portion being totally or partially sandwiched between the first connecting portion and a metal fastening element, the fastening element being fastened on the first part both onto the first connecting portion via the through-hole of the second connecting portion and onto a portion other than the first connecting portion, whereby the first part and the second part are fastened to each other.

Abstract: A method for producing a part made of composite material includes adding a thermoplastic or thermosetting matrix around a preform of a reinforcing fiber mesh made by filament winding around the spurs or the like of a frame. There is winding in addition to the fibers on one or several reels within the matrix, the axes of the spurs or the like and those of the one or more reels having different orientations, so as to provide the mesh of fibers with a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A helical winding unit of a filament winding apparatus includes guide members guiding fiber bundles F to a liner, a movement mechanism moving the guide members, and a rotation mechanism rotating the guide members. Each of the guide members includes two side walls and guide portions fixed between the two side walls. As the guide portions, a first guide portion having a first guide surface and a second guide portion having a second guide surface and provided downstream of the first guide portion are provided. In the height direction, the first guide surface is oriented to one side. The second guide surface is oriented to the other side in the height direction and provided on the other side of the first guide surface.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing a leak-tight vessel for holding a gas and/or liquid, comprising the steps of winding a heat-sealable thermoplastic barrier strip around a removable mandrel in such a way that each strip fragment overlaps with a substantially parallel strip fragment over at least a lateral overlapping distance, consolidating the overlapping strip fragments so as to form a gas and/or liquid tight layer, winding a fibrous material around the gas and/or liquid tight layer, thereby leaving an opening large enough for removing the mandrel. The invention also describes a leak-tight vessel produced in this way.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a thermal protection system coupled to a structural component is provided. The thermal protection system includes a thermally insulative body and at least one layer of thermochromatic material applied thereon such that the at least one layer is positioned between the thermally insulative body and the structural component. The method includes determining a value of a thermochromatic property of the at least one layer of thermochromatic material, wherein the value of the thermochromatic property is responsive to an amount of heat applied to the at least one layer of thermochromatic material, comparing the value to a baseline value of the thermochromatic property, and determining degradation of the thermal protection system when the value of the thermochromatic property deviates from the baseline value.

Abstract: A method for producing a high-pressure tank that can reduce the positional deviation of a wound fiber bundle. In the method for producing the high-pressure tank, the fiber bundle impregnated with an uncured thermosetting resin is wound around a liner for housing gas so as to form, on the liner, a reinforcing layer with a plurality of fiber-reinforced resin layers. The method for producing the high-pressure tank includes pressing an edge portion on at least one side along the longitudinal direction of the fiber bundle in the width direction of the fiber bundle to deform the edge portion so as to protrude in the thickness direction of the fiber bundle and thermally curing the thermosetting resin in the edge portion deformed so as to form a protruding portion in the edge portion, and forming the fiber-reinforced resin layers with the fiber bundle with the edge portion deformed.

Abstract: A manufacturing system includes a plurality of lamination heads and a head-moving system defining a continuous loop lamination path configured to move the lamination heads in series along the lamination path. The manufacturing system also includes at least one lamination mandrel positioned along a portion of the lamination path. The lamination heads are each configured to dispense a layup material onto the at least one lamination mandrel or onto layup material previously applied onto the lamination mandrel while the lamination heads are moved by the head-moving system through one or more revolutions of the lamination path to lay up a composite laminate.

Abstract: Matrix basalt reinforcing members for concrete. The basalt members are specifically formed to provide tension support having a beneficial use with pervious concrete used in large areas such as sidewalk and parking lot. The basalt reinforcing members add structural rigidity to the pervious concrete, making the pervious concrete capable of supporting heavy loads such as trucks without cracking while allowing water to pass through the concrete. The basalt reinforcing members are formed from roving crosses and interlaces in between each side of the figure 8 shape to mitigate potential for sheer at crossovers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cutting mechanism for severing elongate fiber reinforcement material in composite material lay-up equipment, the cutting mechanism comprising a cutting element and a counteracting element which cooperate to sever fiber reinforcement material extending through the nip between them, the cutting element being mounted on an elongate arm which is pivotable about a pivot axis A spaced from the nip, to displace the cutting element relatively to the counteracting element to perform a cutting stroke, the mechanism further comprising guide means arranged to guide the fiber reinforcement material through the nip in a feed direction transverse to the pivot axis A, and an actuation device for driving the elongate arm in a cutting stroke, the actuation device acting on the elongate arm at a position away from the cutting element. There is also provided composite material lay-up equipment comprising the cutting mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a winding machine, which including a conveying-wire device, a pressing-wire device, a first mold, a first mold core, a second mold, a second mold core, a placing mold device and a plate. The conveying-wire device conveys a wire to a first predefined position. The placing mold device places the plate on the first mold core. The first mold engages with the second mold to press the plate. The pressing-wire device clamps the wire when the conveying-wire device releases the wire. The first mold core and the second mold core wind the coils respectively. The present invention also discloses a winding method. The winding machine and the winding method use the first mold core and the second mold core to wind coils simultaneously, wherein a structure of the winding machine is simple, and implementation and operation are convenient, resulting in improving the efficiency of the winding machine.

Abstract: In a rope of a lifting device, particularly of a passenger transport elevator and/or freight transport elevator, the width of which rope is greater than the thickness in the transverse direction of the rope, which rope includes a load-bearing part in the longitudinal direction of the rope, which load-bearing part includes carbon-fiber reinforced, aramid-fiber reinforced and/or glass-fiber reinforced composite material in a polymer matrix, and which rope includes one or more optical fibers and/or fiber bundles in connection with the load-bearing part and the optical fiber and/or fiber bundle is laminated inside the load-bearing part and/or the optical fiber and/or fiber bundle is glued onto the surface of the load-bearing part and/or and that the optical fiber and/or fiber bundle is embedded or glued into the polymer envelope surrounding the load-bearing part, as well as to a condition monitoring method for the rope of a lifting device.

Abstract: A tool comprising a support section, a plurality of tool sections beatable around the core section to define one or more tool surfaces on which structure material is beatable to be molded to form a composite structure, the support section and enclosure means being sealingly engagable to enclose the tool sections and structure material therebetween, thus allowing air to be withdrawn from between the enclosure means and the support section as part of the cure process of the structure material. Sealing the enclosure means directly against the support section obviates the need for the tool sections to be sealingly interconnected.

Abstract: A fixed angle hybrid centrifuge rotor includes an outer portion of composite material reinforced with fiber at least along a peripheral direction, an inner portion having stiffness less than ? of stiffness of the outer portion and provided with a plurality of slots receiving specimens, and a reinforcer of composite material mounted into the slots of the inner portion, the reinforcer fabricated from material having higher stiffness than that of the inner portion and reinforced with fiber along at least peripheral direction of the slot. The reinforcer penetrates the inner portion and at least a part of the reinforcer downwardly protrudes from the inner portion. The rotor can rotate at a high speed and provides improved safety.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite material structure, such as a strut, includes providing a rigid, elongate, substantially tubular member and coupling a first end fitting to a first axial end of the substantially tubular member. The first end fitting has an undulated outer surface with one or more alternating, annular crests and grooves that extend longitudinally along the first end fitting. The method includes rolling a sheet of pre-impregnated composite fiber around the substantially tubular member one or more times such that the sheet covers the substantially tubular element and extends at least partially over the undulations of the first end fitting. The method includes curing the pre-impregnated composite fibers in the rolled sheet.

Abstract: A fiber glass utility pole comprising: (a) a center section that comprises from 5% to 15% of the total diameter of the utility pole; (b) a mid-section surrounding the center section, the mid-section comprising from 70% to 90% of the total diameter of the utility pole; and (c) an outer section surrounding the mid-section, the outer section comprising from 5% to 15% of the total diameter of the utility pole, wherein the center section comprises fiber glass oriented at a 30 to 60 degree angle to a center axis, and wherein the mid-section comprises fiber glass oriented parallel to the center axis, and wherein the outer section comprises fiber glass oriented at a 30 to 60 degree angle to a center axis.

Abstract: A frame of a fuselage section of an aircraft that receives external loads, such as the rear section that receives the loads of the tail planes, comprising a first sector configured specifically to withstand these external loads and a second sector along the remaining perimeter of the fuselage, said first sector comprising the following structural elements a) a foot piece to be joined to the fuselage skin; b) a head piece; c) a web comprising one or more fitting-pieces for receiving said external loads and a plurality of X-shaped pieces joined by its ends to said foot piece and said head piece; and d) two connecting pieces of the ends of said foot piece and said head piece with the second sector of the frame.

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 hybrid winding method for thermoplastic plastic-continuous fiber hybrid composite and a high pressure vessel using the same and a method for manufacturing the same is presented A hybrid winding method for thermoplastic plastic-continuous fiber hybrid composite in accordance with the present invention comprises mixing and supplying a thermoplastic plastic-carbon continuous fiber hybrid composite and a thermoplastic plastic-glass continuous fiber hybrid composite; applying tension to hybrid supplied hybrid composites; winding hybrid supplied hybrid composites along an outer circumference surface of a mandrel; and applying heat to hybrid wound hybrid composites

Abstract: A method of making a composite core can include configuring a plurality of mandrels to have a desired thermal expansion characteristic, placing a composite material around each mandrel, placing the plurality of mandrels in a tool, the tool being configured to constrain the plurality of mandrels as the mandrels experience a thermal expansion, heating the mandrels so that the mandrels thermally expand, thereby applying a pressure to the composite material during a cure cycle, and then cooling and separating the mandrels from the composite core. The mandrel is configured as an internal form for making a tube member of a composite core.

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: 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 lattice support structure or tower comprising one or more open matrix composite strut members connecting a series of interlocking connectors to create a ridged support platform for telecommunications, surveillance, renewable energy, lighting and energy transmission applications. Embodiments of the invention are telescoping for ease of transport and erection. The erection and deployment can be achieved through means of automatic deployment or manual.

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: 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 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: A flexible mandrel 100 has a plurality of flexible elements 130 extending between two spaced flanges 110, 120. A means for adjusting the radial position of each of the flexible elements 130 along the length of the mandrel 100 between the flanges 130 enables the plurality of flexible elements 130 to be configured in a variety of symmetrical and asymmetrical forms. Conventional composite fiber or tape laying techniques may then be used to form one-piece, revolute, composite components. The flexible mandrel 100 can then be collapsed and withdrawn from the interior volume 202 of the formed component.

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: In a method for manufacturing components from composite fiber materials, at least one placeholder is inserted into a recess in a molding tool, wherein the unfinished component is subsequently produced, the placeholder is removed, at least one lifting pad is inserted into the recess and the unfinished component is removed from the molding tool by inflating the lifting pad. In a system for manufacturing components from composite fiber materials, the component removal process is monitored and controlled by a computer unit in order to prevent predetermined maximum component loads from being exceeded. The gentle component removal process makes it possible to avoid consequential costs for repairing or reworking the components.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite layup on a substrate comprises: moving an automatic fiber placement head over the substrate; using the fiber placement head to lay down multiple, parallel strips of composite tape on the substrate, including staggering the start of at least certain of the tape strips so as to form a contour pattern; and, cutting the ends of all of the tape strips using a single cut.

Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a unitary seamless section of an aircraft fuselage comprises a thin lay-up mandrel element disposed onto the outer shell surface of an inner mandrel shell, forming a mandrel with a substantially continuous lay-up surface. A unitary pre-cured section of an aircraft fuselage is formed by laying up a plurality of resin impregnated skin fibers onto the mandrel's lay-up surface while the mandrel rotates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an elongate tubular from a composite material. The composite material includes fibers and epoxy resin that are disposed around an elongated mandrel. The fibers are wound around the outer circumference of the mandrel and the epoxy resin may be applied to the fibers, before, during, or after, being wound onto the mandrel. A trough is provided that supports the mandrel between ends of the mandrel. An example trough includes a flexible membrane supported on its lateral ends to resemble a catenary.

Abstract: A layup mandrel includes a shell having a tool surface on which plies may be laid up. The shape of the shell is changed by an actuator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming an annular composite structure is provided. In one embodiment an apparatus for forming annular composite structures is provided. The apparatus includes an annular shaped tool and a forming head. The annular shaped tool includes a forming surface of a select cross-sectional geometry. The forming head is configured to form continuous ply layers one ply at a time circumferentially about the forming surface of the tool.

Abstract: A fiber placement tool comprising a plurality of tool segments, each tool segment having an outer surface defining a predetermined profile, each tool segment being removably mounted on at least one elongate shaft.

Abstract: A composite material made of multiple filament bands is disclosed. The filament bands are wound to create a composite material. The filament bands may be impregnated with a solid or semi-solid resin. The filament bands are wound in multiple orientations to form a sheet of composite material. Additionally, the composite material may be made to have a varying number of layer and fiber orientations throughout the sheet of composite material. In another embodiment, a composite component requiring multiple layers and fiber orientations may be substantially manufactured during a filament winding process.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a grid-stiffened structure from fiber-reinforced composite materials. A skin is applied to a smooth, hard base tool. Ribs comprised of carbon-fiber tows are formed on the skin, and shallow cavities are formed between the ribs and the skin. An expansion block is placed in each of the cavities, and is held in place by an elastomeric contact adhesive having adhesive properties that are substantially diminished when the adhesive is heated to an elevated curing temperature. The assembly is then autoclave cured. After cooling, the formed structure is separated from the base tool and the expansion blocks are removed from the cavities. A grid-stiffened sandwich structure is formed by applying an outer skin over the ribs and expansion blocks, before curing the assembly. After cooling, the outer skin is removed to allow extraction of the blocks, and subsequently bonded to the ribs.

Abstract: A collapsible mandrel comprises an inflatable bladder. The bladder includes a reinforcement sandwiched between inner and outer layers of a fluoroelastomeric rubber.

Abstract: A structural member such as a strut includes a composite material tube having metal end fittings that are attached to the tube by co-bonded, double shear joints. The double shear bond joint construction reduces the residual stress on the bonds that result from mismatch of the coefficients of thermal expansion of the composite tube and the metal end fittings. The ends of the fittings that are bonded to the tube may include a stepped profile that functions to limit the peak stresses in the bonds.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a wound dressing is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a slot, a tension compensator and a take-up device. The slot has two ends and is disposed on the base. The tension compensator is slidably connected to the slot and operable to connect to at least one fiber. The take-up device includes a shaft and a board. The shaft rotates upon being driven, in which the shaft is aligned with a level between the two ends of the slot. The board is secured on the shaft for winding the fiber connected to the tension compensator.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing an FC component with at least one distributing device for placing at least band-shaped material onto a surface of a tool mold or semi-finished product for manufacturing the FC component, wherein the device has at least one bogie truck that carries the distributing device and a guide way that runs around the surface at least partially in its circumferential direction, on which the bogie truck for traversing the distributing device can be moved relative to the surface, as well as a method for manufacturing a fiber composite component and a component fabricated according to such a method.

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: A method and system for fabricating a geometrically versatile composite lattice support structure having a seamless three-dimensional configuration. The lattice support structure is created by forming two or more cross supports, such as helical, longitudinal, circumferential and/or lateral cross supports, which intersect to form a plurality of multi-layered nodes. The lattice support structure may be designed without any protrusions extending outward from the overall geometry, thus enabling efficient tooling, and thus enabling ease of mass production. The lattice support structure may comprise a completely circumferentially closed geometry, such as a cylinder, ellipse, airfoil, etc. The method for fabricating the lattice support structure comprises laying up a fiber material, in the presence of resin, within rigid channels of a rigid mold, thus creating a green, uncured three-dimensional geometry of unconsolidated cross supports and multi-layered nodes where these intersect.

Abstract: An automated in-line feed-through system integrating the delivery, application and infusion of a resin to one or more fiber tows and layup of the one or more infused fiber tows to form a composite structure. The system includes an automated resin delivery, deposition and infusion system configured to deposit the resin on one or more fiber tows and form the infused fiber tows. The system integrates an automated layup system including a compaction roller, a guide roller coupled to an extending cylinder, and an auxiliary roller configured to adhere the one or more infused fiber tows to a substrate. The system further includes a controller configured to control system parameters, including the control of tension of the one or more infused fiber tows within the automated layup system. Other aspects of the automated in-line manufacturing system are also provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing a prepreg sheet includes steps of (A) forming a resin layer 61 on a surface of a supporter 3, (B) winding a reinforcing yarn 10 around the resin layer 61, and (C) embedding at least a part of the reinforcing yarn 10 in the resin layer 61. Preferably, in step (C), the surface of the supporter 3 is relatively moved towards the reinforcing yarn 10.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a grid-stiffened structure from fiber-reinforced composite materials. A skin is applied to a smooth, hard base tool. Ribs comprised of carbon-fiber tows are formed on the skin, and shallow cavities are formed between the ribs and the skin. An expansion block is placed in each of the cavities, and is held in place by an elastomeric contact adhesive having adhesive properties that are substantially diminished when the adhesive is heated to an elevated curing temperature. The assembly is then autoclave cured. After cooling, the formed structure is separated from the base tool and the expansion blocks are removed from the cavities. A grid-stiffened sandwich structure is formed by applying an outer skin over the ribs and expansion blocks, before curing the assembly. After cooling, the outer skin is removed to allow extraction of the blocks, and subsequently bonded to the ribs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for making a filter element by spinning fibers from one or more dies onto a collector, including designated combinations providing designated filter characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a housingless hollow fiber filtration apparatus using batch, continuous, and semi-continuous processes. Also provided is manufacturing methods to increase rigidity of the apparatus.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a process for the production of a tube of high stiffness, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: producing a first internal tube (10) of a first material, placing intermediate members (12) on this first tube, regularly spaced, these intermediate members being made of a composite material producing at least one second tube (14) of a second material, about these intermediate members, at least one of the first or second tubes being made by filamentary winding. The invention also covers the obtained tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head for application of carbon-fibre strips that has at least two spools (1) conveying respective carbon-fibre strips for the selective feed of said strips and in order thus with said strips to make up the width of the stripping for application. These spools (1) are arranged on a master roller (5) formed by independent sections that are actuated individually by respective rotary transmissions.