Abstract: A preform sheet for a composite component comprises a body section and a flange section. The preform body section includes a plurality of axial tows braided with at least a plurality of first bias tows and a plurality of second bias tows. The preform flange section includes a first braided flange layer and a second braided flange layer. The first braided flange layer is defined by the first and second braided bias tows of the preform body section extending into the flange section. Neither the first nor second braided flange layers have axial tows.

Abstract: Method to make an arm in a composite material for articulated or telescopic modular structures for the distribution of concrete, which comprises a first step in which one or more layers of fiber (16, 25) are distributed on the external surface (17) of a male-type mold (11) having a cross section defined by at least a substantially flat wall. The section of the male mold (11) reduces, in at least one of its sizes, passing from one of its ends to the other. The fibers (16) may or may not be pre-impregnated with a resinous matrix. The method also comprises a second step in which the male mold (11) is ejected from the product thus obtained, a possible heat treatment being provided, for example in autoclave, before the extraction of the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine (1) and a method for producing a cup (100) from an outer shell (101) and inner cup (102). For this purpose, the machine (1) comprises a plurality of first holding devices (2) that are arranged on a first rotatably housed star- or wheel-like holding device carrier (3), and a plurality of second holding devices (4), arranged on a second rotatably housed star- or wheel-like holding device carrier (5). Further, a first working station arranged at least in the region of the first holding devices (2) for carrying out working steps (A1 . . . A4) and at least one second working station arranged in the region of the second holding devices (4) for carrying out working steps (B1 . . . B5) are provided. Finally, the machine (1) comprises a transfer station (6) for transferring (A4, B1) a finished outer shell (101) from a first holding device (2) to a second holding device (4).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite profile having a non-circular cross section, comprising the steps of—actuating a string of mandrel sections (1) having a non-circular cross section to move axially in a one way motion through one or more orbital winding stations (3) that are rotationally disposed about to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel in one or more passes,—continuously helically winding in one or more winding stations tape comprising a bundle of parallel longitudinally extending fibres in a thermoplastic matrix material onto the mandrel sections or a previously wound layer to form layers (4) of a wall of a thin walled profile having a closed cross section including at least one planar surface, and—cutting the thin walled profile into profile sections that are carried on one or more mandrel section sections, wherein the layer is consolidated with the previous layer prior to cutting.

Abstract: A tool set comprising: a moulding tool comprising a moulding surface and a mandrel recess in the moulding surface; a first mandrel configured to fit into the mandrel recess and form a first component; and a second mandrel configured to fit into the mandrel recess and form a second component which has a different shape or size to the first component. A method of manufacturing a part, the method comprising: arranging a set of components on one or more inner mould line tools; forming a layer around the inner mould line tool(s); fitting a pair of outer mould line tools on opposite sides of the inner mould line tool(s); moulding the part by compressing the layer and the components between the inner and outer mould line tools; and removing the inner mould line tool(s) from the part.

Abstract: A former for fabricating a gas composite material casing for a gas turbine, which is obtained by forming fiber reinforcement as superposed layers of a fiber texture and densifying the fiber reinforcement with a matrix, is disclosed. The former has two cheekplates and an annular wall with an outside surface presenting a profile that corresponds to the profile of the inside surface of the casing that is to be fabricated. The annular wall of the former includes a removable fastener device for fastening a fiber texture layer and serving to hold the first layer of the fiber texture mechanically while the fiber texture is being wound on the former.

Abstract: Provided is a composite material structure forming method capable of improving the shape and dimension accuracy inside a composite material structure. The method includes: winding a prepreg (2) around an inner jig (6); stacking a ply (8) on the prepreg (2) wound around the inner jig (6); and forming a composite material structure by providing composite outer plates (4a, 4b) on an outer periphery of the inner jig (6) stacking the ply (8) and mounting divided outer jigs (9) thereon.

Abstract: A durable, semi-rigid, single-layered flexible duct having a sleeve made of a single aluminum layer and a resilient wound element disposed at the mid-point of the overlap region of the aluminum layer. The wound element imparts corrugations to the sleeve, such that the duct is extendible between a compacted configuration suitable for storage and for shipping and an extended configuration suitable for installation in a gas transport arrangement. Closely and evenly-spaced ridges that are situated in between the corrugations, add rigidity and durability to the duct. The inward-facing surface of the aluminum ribbon is substantially smooth and featureless except for the helical corrugations imparted by wire winding and the closely and evenly-spaced ridges. The aluminum sleeve is of a predetermined thickness rendering the duct substantially rigid when in an extended configuration and enabling the duct to maintain its substantial rigidity upon extension from a compacted configuration.

Abstract: In this manufacturing method, a tubular body 18 having a rib 16 provided therein is obtained. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: preparing a mandrel 2 divided into two or more divided bodies d1 along a longitudinal direction of the mandrel 2; winding a prepreg r1 for a rib around at least one of the divided bodies d1; combining all the divided bodies d1 to obtain a first intermediate body 10 after the step of winding the prepreg r1 for the rib; winding a prepreg g1 for the outer peripheral part around an outside of the first intermediate body 10 to obtain a second intermediate body; heating the second intermediate body to obtain a cured laminate; and extracting the mandrel 2 from the cured laminate. Preferably, the mandrel is equally divided in a circumferential direction. Preferably, a winding start end part t2 of the prepreg r1 for the rib and a winding finish end part t1 thereof overlap with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a golf club head. The method comprises using a bladder with an open face and a flange clamped over the open face during pressurization and molding. In a preferred embodiment, the bladder is composed of a material with a higher rigidity than latex.

Abstract: A linear series of connected unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling articles, each of which comprises a labeling tag flatly cojoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop. Adjacent labeling articles of the series are ruptureably connected in a manner permitting the series to be handled as a unit while at the same time permitting ruptureable separation of individual merchandise labeling articles from the series. In one embodiment, the linear series is wound into roll form.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for wrapping a conductor bar with an insulation. The apparatus has at least one supply roll for feeding an insulating tape to the conductor bar. The insulating tape can be wound around the conductor bar by the supply roll rotating relative to the conductor bar. At least one pressure roll is provided, and the insulating tape can be pressed against the conductor bar by means of the pressure roll. A method is also provided for wrapping a conductor bar with insulation, with an insulating tape being pressed against the conductor bar by means of a pressure roll.

Abstract: The present invention provides for various embodiments of a unitary fascia energy absorber including an aesthetic appearance while also providing improved energy management. In an embodiment a process for producing a fascia energy absorber includes heating and forming a polymer sheets to form an outer member and heating and forming a second polymer sheet to form an inner member. The inner member and the outer member are then joined to form a fascia energy absorber.

Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. Each fiber of the first group begins in the neck wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the neck wall at the opposite end of the balloon. Substantially all of the fibers of the first group have a generally uniform length. Each fiber of the second group begins in the cone wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the cone wall at the opposite end of the balloon.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a protective helmet for the military and other uses are disclosed. Embodiments of the method include winding ballistic-tolerant tape or fibers to create a preform, placing the preform into a first mold member having an interior that defines a helmet-shaped cavity, and pressing together the first mold member against a second mold member that includes a pressurized bladder member. The method may further include pressurizing the bladder until the first and second mold members are heated and adhesives have melted or cured. The first and second mold members are cooled and the preform is removed from the first and second mold members.

Abstract: A collapsible bladder has flexible outer walls and at least one strut inside the enclosure. The strut is connected to the outer walls and controls the shape into which the enclosure may be collapsed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making monolithic fiber composite parts comprising the steps of providing a first mold part having a first inner surface and a second mold part having a second inner surface. Applying a gel coat to the first inner surface and to the second inner surface and then curing the gel coat. Placing a fiber reinforcement fabric onto the gel coat. Placing a removable mandrel, shear web components and a partially inflated bladder bag onto the fiber reinforcement fabric. Wrapping the fiber reinforcement fabric over the mandrel, the shear web components and the bladder bag. Sealing the second mold part to the first mold part to form a closed mold and fully inflating the bladder bag. Providing a vacuum feed and a resin feed onto the closed mold. Applying vacuum to the closed mold through the vacuum feed and removing the mandrel. Infusing resin into the vacuum closed mold through the resin feed to form a part. Curing and hardening the part.

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: A method for manufacturing a cylindrical structure having an axial direction includes: winding a fabric around a mandrel in a circumferential direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction, the fabric containing first fibers oriented in a first direction intersecting the circumferential direction; winding a roving into a helical shape around the mandrel, the roving containing second fibers oriented in a longitudinal direction of the roving; and joining the fabric and the roving together by using a resin.

Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. Each fiber of the first group begins in the neck wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the neck wall at the opposite end of the balloon. Substantially all of the fibers of the first group have a generally uniform length. Each fiber of the second group begins in the cone wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the cone wall at the opposite end of the balloon.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one-piece annular metal part having a reinforcing insert of composite material. The method for manufacturing such a part (1), incorporating a reinforcing insert (11) issuing from at least one metal-coated fiber of composite material, consists in: forming a blank (E) of said part by superimposing, around a rotating cylindrical mandrel (5), layers of metal wire (7) and layers of coated fiber (10), said layers of coated composite fiber being arranged in the blank according to the positioning of said insert in the part, placing the blank (E) in a receiving tool (24), and applying a hot isostatic pressing treatment to the blank, and extracting the treated blank (E) from the receiving tool (24) and, as required, machining the treated blank to obtain said one-piece annular metal part (1) having a reinforcing insert (11).

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a protective helmet for the military and other uses are disclosed. Embodiments of the method include winding ballistic-tolerant tape or fibers to create a preform, placing the preform into a first mold member having an interior that defines a helmet-shaped cavity, and pressing together the first mold member against a second mold member that includes a pressurized bladder member. The method may further include pressurizing the bladder until the first and second mold members are heated and adhesives have melted or cured. The first and second mold members are cooled and the preform is removed from the first and second mold members.

Abstract: In a method and a tool for forming an elongate, hollow article of a fiber-reinforced composite material one end of an article laminate applied to a tool bar is placed in engagement with or is supported by an anvil of the tool so as to control the direction of longitudinal movement of the cured article relative to the tool bar during the cooling and dismantling phase.

Abstract: Vacuum cleaner filters, in particular replaceable vacuum cleaner filters suitable for both dry and wet/dry type vacuum cleaners are disclosed, as well as systems incorporating the use of such filters and methods for their use. The filters include a plurality of adjacently positioned pleats arranged in a closed circumferential, cylindrically-shaped path, a top end cap having a central orifice capable of constricting a post on a vacuum filter cage, and optionally a molded end ring oppositely-spaced from the top end cap for engagement with the motor housing of a vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: A wrinkle control process for manufacturing a closed cross-sectional, composite laminate structure on a male tool cured under temperature and pressure. The process includes the step of creating a plurality of filled or unfilled depressions at strategic locations in the laminate prior to curing. The depressions are created by depression forming elements that have a predetermined size designed to create a depression in under plies, alone or combined with intensification techniques. The depressions may be left unfilled or be partially or completely filled. Depression forming elements are removed after cure or remain part of the structure.

Abstract: A method is described for manufacturing a U-shaped support unit for use in footwear. A shaft mandrel has a longitudinal axis and a cross-section with at least one U-shape region. An enclosed shape of composite material is formed over the shaft mandrel which includes one or more layers of resin-impregnated reinforcing fibers. One or more cuts are made through the enclosed shape to create U-shaped support units adapted for use as a weight bearing structure in footwear.

Abstract: A first insert (15) forming a ring is placed inside and in contact with a core (10) in degradable material. On the outer face of the core a plurality of inserts (20) is arranged each comprising a platform (21) applied against the outer face of the core and at least one blade (22) extending substantially radially outwards. A fibrous structure (56) is wound around the core passing over the platforms (21) and over the inner surface of the ring-shaped insert (15). Molding of the fibrous structure, impregnated with a composition containing a resin, is performed before polymerization of the resin and removal of the core.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a paper tube having a polygonal cross section includes a frame, an elongate core assembly having an end rotatably supported to the frame and the other free end and having an outer peripheral surface of a predetermined polygonal shape, and a delivery member installed to the core assembly for at least a portion of the delivery member to be exposed from the outer peripheral surface of the core assembly on which the strips are wound, the delivery member being installed for the exposed portion to move toward the free end of the core assembly after receiving the power, whereby the exposed portion contacts with an inner surface of the lowermost one of a plurality of the strips and thus a plurality of the strips wound on the core assembly continuously move toward the free end of the core assembly.

Abstract: A golf club shaft is provided that has a grip end opposite a head end and defining a length of the shaft extending between those two ends. The shaft has a tubular cross-section over at least one portion of the shaft length which cross-section has a substantially circular outer periphery and a polygon inner periphery formed of a plurality of between 4 and 24 flats, and preferably formed of 8-16 flats. A mandrel having the shape of the inner periphery of the shaft is also provided, as is a method of forming the shaft that uses the mandrel and composite matrix materials.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a hollow, complex, monolithic composite part. Composite material may be placed around the mandrel, then an internal impermeable membrane may be placed into and/or through tunnels formed in the mandrel. Next, an external impermeable membrane may be placed around the composite material and sealed against itself and the internal impermeable membrane such that the mandrel and the composite material are both contained in an airtight manner between the internal and external impermeable membranes. Air may then be removed from within the sealed impermeable membranes, compressing the impermeable membranes against the mandrel and/or the composite material. The consolidated composite material may be hardened to form the composite part. Finally, the impermeable membrane may be removed from around the hollow composite part and from within the mandrel, followed by removal of the mandrel from within the composite part by breaking it up into smaller pieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making a casing-and-diverging-portion unit, the method comprising the following steps: forming fiber reinforcement from a first fiber preform made with a first type of fiber and a second fiber preform made with a second type of fiber different from the first type of fiber, said second preform being placed on the first preform; maintaining the fiber reinforcement in tooling so that it has a shape identical to the shape of the casing-and-diverging-portion unit that is to be made; and impregnating said fiber reinforcement with a thermosetting resin and impregnating the resin.

Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing hollow components out of a composite material, such as sections of an airplane fuselage, that include a skin and possibly strengthening elements. The method may include inserting a multi-articulated arm fitted with a fiber placement head inside a female mold of elongated shape. The female mold includes a longitudinal slit. A support for the multi-articulated arm is received through the slit. The method may also include applying fibers to the inner molding surface of the female mold using the placement head to form the composite material skin, by displacement of the application head using the multi-articulated arm and relative displacement in translation of the support for the multi-articulated arm along said longitudinal slit.

Abstract: A method for producing a tubular body includes a step of winding at least one of winding bias prepregs, at least one of straight prepregs, and at least one of hoop prepregs round a core. At the winding step, after the hoop prepreg and/or the hoop prepreg are adherently layered in advance on a base prepreg consisting of the bias prepreg or the straight prepreg to form a laminate and/or a laminate, the laminate and/or the laminate are wound on the core so that the hoop prepreg and/or the hoop prepreg are wound on the core integrally with the base prepreg or the base prepreg.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus configured to provide a delivery system for standard intervention devices typically used during emergency angioplasty and to provide rapid localized cooling to organs at risk of ischemic and reperfusion injury. The catheter apparatus including a catheter shaft having an inner core defining at least two coolant flow lumens adjacent to a blood conveyance lumen. Each coolant flow lumen in thermal contact with the blood conveyance lumen and thermally insulated from each other and the exterior surfaces of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A fishing rod having improved strength and durability to weight characteristics is provided using a thermoplastic toughened epoxy resin. The method of manufacturing this fishing rod includes the use of an insulating layer around rod blanks during a high temperature cure stage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fiber application method and a fiber application machine for producing parts in composite material, such as for the application of a band of fibers on convex surfaces and/or with edges. The machine comprises a fiber application head and a moving system for moving the application head. The application head comprises a compacting system including a compacting roller intended to come in contact against the application surface to apply the band, and a compacting member placed downstream from the compacting roller and exhibiting a substantially planar contact surface, said compacting member being capable of being pressed by its contact surface, against an application surface, substantially on the entire width of a band, by at least one contact line.

Abstract: A composite panel and method of manufacture includes a support structure and a tape skin wound about the support structure. A mandrel assembly with extractable longitudinal mandrels facilitates winding of the tape skin onto the support structure. The composite panel is suitable for use in an aircraft floor system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a turbine-engine composite rectifier comprising a ferrule provided with a plurality of stator vanes (2), said stator vanes each comprising a blade (4) and optionally a platform (3), said method comprising at least the following steps: a) first layers of a reinforcement (6) are wound on a mandrel, said mandrel also acting as a mold and comprising protruding portions, said first reinforcement layers (6) comprising buttonholes (7) positioned facing the protruding portions; b) a prefabricated disc (9) is positioned on each of the protruding portions: c) last reinforcement layers (8) are wound above the discs (9), thereby forming a preform; d) a resin is injected into the closed mold with the preform and the resin-impregnated preform is polymerized; e) the polymerized preform is taken out of the mold and the base of the blade (4) or optionally the platform of the vane (3), if the latter comprises one of them, is added by welding on each of the discs (9

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a composite structure with an automatic placement head, through the use of a non-rotating tooling tablet having first and second substantially oppositely facing surfaces thereof, joined around the peripheries thereof by a side surface of the tablet, with at least one of the first or second surfaces forming a tool surface of the tablet. Layers of pre-impregnated fiber or tape are applied to the tool surface of the tablet by the automated fiber placement head.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing tubes formed from fiber reinforced composite material, the apparatus including: an elongate hollow mandrel (3) having an internal mandrel cavity (5), the mandrel having an external surface (7) upon which reinforcing fiber material (9) can be wrapped to provide a composite lay-up (10) supported thereon; and fluid flow means (11) for enabling heat transfer fluid of different temperatures to be circulated through the mandrel cavity (5), such that when fluid at an elevated temperature is circulated, heat is transferred from the fluid, through the mandrel (3) to the composite lay-up (10) for curing or forming said lay-up.

Abstract: A composite truss structure employs a sandwich-in-sandwich construction in which a composite fluted core is sandwiched between two facesheets, and at least one structural foam stiffener is sandwiched within the core or between the facesheets and/or the core.

Abstract: A cellular structure is formed on a wheel from an elongated tubular structure. At least one longitudinal line of a slow cure adhesive is applied to the exterior surface of the elongated tubular material. Then the material is wrapped around a collector in a manner to cause the adhesive to be positioned between overlying surfaces of the elongated tubular material and to form a cellular structure on the collector. The cellular structure is cut from the collector before the adhesive has fully cured and is placed on a flat surface where the adhesive has fully cured.

Abstract: A device for draping and pre-shaping curved profiled structural components of fiber materials includes at least one shaping tool having a curved shaping face which has a profiled cross-section and which defines the outer contour of the profiled structural component. The device also includes a plurality of unwinding devices each for discharging a web-like fiber material, a device for performing a relative movement between the shaping tool and the plurality of unwinding devices for tangentially winding the web-like fiber materials onto the curved shaping face under tension, and a fixing device for finally fixing the shape of all of the web-like fiber materials wound on the curved shaping face. A method of draping and pre-shaping curved profiled structural components of fiber materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: A strip member application system for feeding a ribbon-like rubber strip (4) through a clearance between application rollers forming a pair (11), and applying the rubber strip (4) onto a rotational member (2). A guide roller (7) to be wound by the rubber strip (4) is provided on the upstream side of the application roller pair (11), and defines a substantially U-shaped detour path extending downwards. A first and a second auxiliary rollers (6, 8) are arranged on the downstream side and the upstream side of the guide roller (7), respectively. The application roller pair (11) can be swung integrally with the guide roller (7) and the second auxiliary roller (8), within a horizontal plane and about a pivot that is spaced from the guide roller (7) toward the first auxiliary roller (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a component for connecting a fuselage cell skin to an annular rib of an aircraft, wherein the component is formed by bending of a flat blank along at last two edge lines and wherein the blank is formed by a CFRP. According to the invention the interlaminar sliding of the fiber layers is largely completed in a first forming step, while in a second forming step a consolidation of the component takes place by the use of pressure from the press on all sides by means of an upper tool and a lower tool. This enables complex components with at least two edge lines to be produced, which edge lines run at angles of approximately, preferably at angles of 309° to 90°, to each other, and which edge lines also lie in at least two different planes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided, for forming a filter element including a media pack in the form of a coiled fluted filter media, by winding the web of fluted filter media around a pair of tools of a mandrel. The tools engage the sides of the filter media. The tools define a major to provide the media pack with a oblong or elongated shape. The web may be fed at constant linear speed, and/or a motor may be controlled in a manner to provide constant driving torque to maintain a constant tension on the web. The winding apparatus and methods may include apparatus or methods to modify the feed path of the web to adjust the tension of the web as it is being wound. Further, the coiled media packs can be fixtured to prevent relaxation. A method may form various shaped media packs with the same apparatus.

Abstract: Methods for making articles having a substantially cylindrical body including providing a substantially cylindrical tool, providing at least one ply of a material, the material being a weave fabric, a non-crimp fabric, or a combination thereof, wrapping the at least one ply of material about the tool to produce an article preform having a plurality of circumferential layers, applying a resin to the article preform, and curing the article preform to produce an article having a substantially cylindrical body.

Abstract: A first insert (15) forming a ring is placed inside and in contact with a core (10) in degradable material. On the outer face of the core a plurality of inserts (20) is arranged each comprising a platform (21) applied against the outer face of the core and at least one blade (22) extending substantially radially outwards. A fibrous structure (56) is wound around the core passing over the platforms (21) and over the inner surface of the ring-shaped insert (15). Moulding of the fibrous structure, impregnated with a composition containing a resin, is performed before polymerization of the resin and removal of the core.

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.