Abstract: A method of treating a rock chip in a vehicular windshield consists of the step of inscribing in the glass of the vehicular windshield a circular crack barrier that surrounds the rock chip. Any cracks emanating from the rock chip tend to remain confined within the circular crack barrier.

Abstract: A board of lumber containing a defect, such as a knot, is repaired by cutting an opening between major surfaces of the board and filling the opening with a plug of adhesive filler material or a wood plug which is adhered to the wall of the opening. The opening and plug are formed to have a non-circular shape. This facilitates re-sawing of the board to form two thinner boards as the shape of the plug prevents it from being loosened by turning forces created by the saw blade which is used to effect the re-sawing operation. In some of the repair configurations, portions of the plug which remain in both of the thinner boards following re-sawing also cannot be dislodged by external forces exerted against the surfaces of the board.

Abstract: A method for repairing a damaged area, referred to as the repair area, of a composite structure comprises steps of: making alignment markings on the repair area; fabricating a pair of alignment templates; preparing the repair area for a hot bonded, vacuum bagged repair; assembling a repair patch; consolidating the repair patch; heating the repair patch; transferring and aligning the repair patch to the repair area; vacuum bagging, heating, and cooling the repair patch for a partial cure at the repair area; heating and cooling the repair patch in an oven; and bonding the repair patch to the repair area.

Abstract: In order to regenerate a brake lining, preferably for a railway vehicle, a friction lining is worked by machining, starting from its worn surface, and provided with a three-dimensional surface profile. The profiled surface is then coated with an agglutinant, and a fresh friction lining substance is pressed on. The worn surface is preferably worked by profile grinding or profile milling, such that a profiled surface structure is produced having a teeth-like, trapezoidal or meander-shaped profile that is vertical to the surface, wherein the profile depth of the surface structure lies in the region of approx. 1-30 mm, preferably 5-20 mm. The profile is preferably oriented in one direction, crosswise to the main strain of the friction lining during braking.

Abstract: A needle is inserted through the glue between a windshield and a frame surrounding the windshield. Two ends of string are inserted from an outside of the windshield to an inside thereof. One end is attached to a first hand tool so that the string forms an acute angle with the bottom end of the windshield. The end is pulled until the string cut through the windshield adhesive and moves along the edge of the windshield and forms a right angle with the edge of the windshield. The other end is attached to a second hand tool and pulled until the other end also forms a right angle. The hand tools are then moved so that the string again forms acute angles. The string is pulled until the string has been pulled along the entire circumference of the windshield and the windshield may be removed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a toner cartridge for reconditioning and resealing with a replacement seal includes providing a used toner cartridge whose seal has been removed and the toner essentially consumed with the cartridge substantially otherwise intact. The interior of the cartridge is partially separated or penetrated so as to remove, modify or by-pass any impediments present which would or could interfere with the resealing of the cartridge. A new seal is secured to the toner cartridge.

Abstract: Bonded screens such as vehicle windscreens (1) bonded to a supporting frame (5) by homogeneous bonding material (6) are released by firstly arranging energy delivery means (9) adjacent the screen and subsequently transmitting energy from the delivery means through the screen thereby to effect release of the screen (1) from the frame (5) by either causing degradation of some of the homogeneous bonding material and/or cleavage or degradation of the screen material. The energy delivered may, for example, be ultrasonic or laser radiation, and is preferably arranged to be concentrated at a predetermined localized region to enhance the release mechanism.

Abstract: A method for repairing fuel tanks having detected leaks comprises (1) filling the detected leaks by applying an adhesive over the detected leaks and allowing the adhesive to cure to seal the detected leaks or (2) providing a fuel tank having a surface with detected leaks, providing a patch having a surface to be attached to the fuel tank surface having detected leaks, coating one or both surfaces with an adhesive, applying the patch over the detected leak(s) such that the adhesive is interposed between the patch surface and the tank surface, pressing the patch against the tank and allowing the adhesive to cure to bond the two surfaces together.

Abstract: A method to repair an automotive body panel is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to on-site repairs of a composite structure (10) such as an aircraft structure in which a concave recess (14) is machined in the damaged zone, a non-polymerized composite part (16) is set into said recess and part (16) is polymerized under pressure using tooling (18) comprising a stack of plates (32) that increase the pressure applied to the composite part. The present invention thus obtains invisible repairs with mechanical characteristics that are similar to those of the initial structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and kit for repairing a construction component that has a damaged portion. First, the damaged portion is removed from the construction component. Next, a durable portion is provided that is preferably a cellulosic/polymer composite material which is moisture, decay, and insect resistant. The durable portion preferably has about the same shape as the damaged portion. The durable portion is then connected to the construction component to replace the damaged portion. The materials for repairing the construction component may be provided in a single kit.

Abstract: A method of measuring a gauge of used rubber portion of a buffed tire with an enhanced efficiency and high accuracy is disclosed, and in this method, workability of a buffing process can be improved. A buffing method is also disclosed which enhances a production efficiency of recaps, maintaining high levels of workability of the buffing process and quality of the recaps. An eddy-current sensor is used to measure a gauge g of used rubber portion or a thickness from an outer circumferential surface to a belt layer in a buffed tire to recap the tire, and voltages detected by the eddy-current sensor is converted in accordance with a conversion method designated to each of types of belt configuration to compute a real distance of the gauge of the used rubber portion.

Abstract: A re-treading method and an apparatus therefor, which are capable of winding a tread material on a base tire automatically and efficiently to realize an adequate joint condition of the leading and trailing edges of the tread material, are configured to take a photograph of a zone of the tread material including its cut position to compare the picture with a stored tread pattern image to detect a deviation amount between them, then moves the tread material or the cut position relative to each other by the deviation amount, next cut the tread material at the cut position after the relative movement, wind the tread material on a base tire, and unite the leading and trailing edges of the tread material.

Abstract: Parallel spaced shallow grooves are cut within the surface of an existing reinforced concrete member in the direction of bending and at locations where existing tensile reinforcing is inadequate. A curable polymer adhesive resin, such as an epoxy resin, is inserted into each groove and an elongated fiber reinforcing element, such as a composite rod with continuous carbon fibers, is positioned within each groove, substantially filling the groove, so that the minimum volume adhesive resin surrounds the reinforcing element. The adhesive resin within each groove is formed flush with the surface and allowed to cure to bond each reinforcing element to the concrete defining the groove. The grooves and reinforcing elements extend within the top surface of a concrete slab across a beam or support for the slab, extend within the bottom surface of the slab at least fifty percent of the distance between adjacent supports for the slab, or within a vertical surface of a concrete or masonry wall or column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently repairing or reworking a printed circuit board having a solder ball grid array thereon efficiently and at minimum cost includes the steps of drilling out a plated-through hole to sever electrical connections between a ball grid array pad on one surface of the printed circuit board and internal circuits and circuits on an opposite surface of the printed circuit board; inserting a pin having an insulated sleeve surrounding a portion thereof into the drilled-out hole, the pin having attached to one end a wire for attachment to the ball grid array on one surface of the printed circuit board and a post at the other end of the pin for attachment of a wire to the post; the pin having a stop along its length to control vertical positioning of the pin in the drilled-out hole, the pin referred to as a via replacement (VR) pin.

Abstract: A process for reconstituting or reconstructing a composite object having a defect which affects at least its surface includes: (a) placing at least one added piece or material, the shape and dimensions of which are matched to those of the defect, in or on the defect, the piece or material including mechanically strong, continuous or staple fibers; (b) placing a polymer material in or on the defect to obtain a plastic matrix in which the fibers are distributed; (c) placing a gas-drain for draining the gases given off by the plastic matrix and a cover for extracting the gases, in succession and one on top of the other, on the added piece, which together with the rest of the object form an enclosure which is sealed with respect to the external atmosphere and circumscribes the defect and the added piece; and (d) while evacuating the sealed enclosure, heating the added piece using a radiant source, the emission from which includes infrared radiation, and placing the source with respect to the defect so as to irrad

Abstract: A minimum visibility seam tape and method of joining at least two substrates with the tape. The substrates joined typically are sign faces or awnings comprising a composite of thermoplastics and a woven scrim. The seam tape is a woven or nonwoven scrim embedded in or coated with a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Process and device for treating vulcanized rubber surfaces before bonding by creating surface roughness and elimination of degraded surface particles through the use of a high pressure fluid jet.

Abstract: A method of renewing worn tread portions of reinforced rubber tracks which is particularly applicable to the heavy reinforced tracks used on mechanical diggers, mobile cranes and other vehicles, such method involving placing a previously buffed track circumferentially around a correspondingly dimensioned holding ring (4) so that the metal lugs (3) of the track are supported by the holding ring (4); inserting two correspondingly shaped rings (8), one on each side of the row of lugs (3), so as to conform to the space between the track and the holding ring; applying pre-vulcanized tread (5) to the track with a layer of unvulcanized rubber between the tread and the track; surrounding the thus-formed assembly with a generally airtight envelope; creating a vacuum within the envelope (9)and vulcanizing the said unvulcanized rubber so as to bond the tread (5)to the track (1).

Abstract: A disclosed method of repairing a shed portion of a composite insulator having a core portion, a sheath portion arranged on an outer surface of the core portion, and a plurality of shed portions projected from the sheath portion, includes the steps of, (1) cutting out the shed portion having defects from the sheath portion while leaving the sheath portion, and connecting a new shed portion having the same shape as that of the cut out shed portion to the sheath portion at the cut out portion, or (2) cutting out partly the shed portion having defects, and connecting a repairing member to the cut out portion. Therefore, it is possible to perform the shed portion repairing operation without wasting the normal shed portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to on-site repairs of a composite structure (10) such as an aircraft structure in which a concave recess (14) is machined in the damaged zone, a non-polymerized composite part (16) is set into said recess and part (16) is polymerized under pressure using tooling (18) comprising a stack of plates (32) that increase the pressure applied to the composite part. The present invention thus obtains invisible repairs with mechanical characteristics that are similar to those of the initial structure.

Abstract: A method for repairing a multi-layered damage area in a multi-layered composite structure. The method first includes obtaining depth measurement data, and obtaining topographical measurement data by laser scanning the surface of the damage area. This depth measurement data and topographical measurement data are inputted into a microprocessor along with thickness data of each layer. All inputted information is correlated among itself to thereby internally produce a three-dimensional damage area display-replica and interpolate a two-dimensional pattern of each layer of the damage area and of the surface of the damage area. The damage area is removed by first projecting a two-dimensional laser pattern of the damage area thereat on the surface of the structure, and thereafter manually removing the area to produce a void. Repair is accomplished by projecting onto respective replacement material a two-dimensional laser image pattern of each layer and manually cutting that layer according to the appropriate pattern.

Abstract: Process for repairing plastic coatings of metal pipes, that allows the repairs to be done in a very short time, by applying, in specific operating phases, a polyolefin adhesive in powder form and polyolefin tapes, and then applying heat using an inert gas-shielded flame.

Abstract: A drywall patch includes a substantially planar body having a peripheral edge. A depending skirt is spaced from the peripheral edge of the body. The depending skirt is extended into an opening in drywall to prevent lateral movement of the drywall patch during application.

Abstract: A patch of fibre reinforced plastics composite material, a repair kit including such a patch and a method of using such a patch and repair kit are provided. The patch (1) is for attachment to a surface (17) of a fibre reinforced plastics composite structure (11) over an area of damage (10) to the structure. The patch defines an outer surface (3), a bonding surface (4) opposed thereto and a peripheral edge. The patch includes fibre reinforcement and plastics matrix material with the latter being in a final state of hardness. The patch defines a series of small apertures (6) therethrough to allow the passage of gases and other matter through the patch to prevent entrapped air weakening the repair.

Abstract: A method of repairing polyethylene fuel containment sumps used in underground storage systems in gasoline and diesel service stations without "welding" the polyethylene, using suitable surface preparation, priming of the affected area, and sealing with a two part rubber compound.

Abstract: The method is for partially or completely rebuilding a damaged lens of a vehicle lamp, particularly a lens having an interior surface with a pattern of optical dispersion elements. It allows to inexpensively rebuild a lens, such as the lens of a tail lamp or signal lamp. A thermoplastic lens obtained with the present method can also be used to replace a broken glass lens of a headlamp. In the method, a patch of a flat thermoplastic material is provided to replace the damaged section of the lens or, in some cases, the whole lens. The patch is grooved to duplicate the pattern of optical dispersion elements. In case the damaged section or lens to be replaced is not flat, the patch is heat softened and shaped with the use of a mould created from the damaged section or lens. The patch is subsequently fixed to the housing. This method is simple, inexpensive and can be carried out locally whenever necessary.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for adhering a first ceramic foam to a second ceramic foam. The method begins with impregnating a liquid resin with reinforcement fibers to form a liquid reinforced bonding resin. The liquid reinforced bonding resin is then applied to at least one of the ceramic foams. The foams are joined to each other with the liquid reinforced bonding resin disposed therebetween. The liquid reinforced bonding resin is cured to form a solid reinforced bonding resin. The solid reinforced bonding resin is pyrolyzed for adhering the first and second ceramic foams to form a ceramic bonding layer. The ceramic bonding layer is characterized by a porous ceramic matrix with reinforcement fibers disposed therein.

Abstract: A defect in a vinyl window frame is repaired by filling the defect with a PVC filler including a PVC cement and allowing the PVC filler to cure.

Abstract: Winding cores for the paper industry are restored by removing the metal tips from the ends of the core, trimming the core to eliminate the crimped end portions of the core, providing complementary male and female joint ends to the core, grinding the outer surface of the core to a constant outer diameter less than the industry standard outer diameter to accommodate a finishing layer. The cores with the complementary joints are pressed end to end to form a core master prior to its being ground and then picking up the core masters one by one and bringing them into proximity of a web of liner board material having a length which corresponds to the length of the core master and a width which corresponds to the circumference of the core, contacting the glue bearing liner board web with the core and rotating the core to wrap the web of liner board about the core to provide a finished restored core. The core master is then cut into suitable length winding cores.

Abstract: Polyolefin auto body components and like plastic structural elements having a predetermined form and a repairable damage discontinuity having an edge margin, are repaired by and covering the discontinuity with a web of differentially fusible portions, such as interdispersed differently fusible fibers, partially fused to the edge margin to support the web in place and provide a base for repair including application of repair adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed using a blanket (50) which is an assembly of at least one graphite fiber element of high thermal conductivity and at least one metal sheet element such as a copper sheet element to repair an aircraft structure (10) made of composite fiber materials. The blanket (50) is placed in thermal contact with a silicone rubber heat blanket (22), having an internal heat source, and the aircraft structure, such as composite laminates (12, 14). Use of the blanket (50) increases the rate at which the temperature of the laminates can be elevated to the proper range for repair and transfers heat from hot spots to cold spots to ensure a uniform temperature throughout the laminates.

Abstract: A method for repairing a damaged automobile exterior roof panel the includes removing the damaged roof panel section so as to leave an overlap portion of the original roof panel extending peripherally around the edge of the opening, fashioning a replacement roof panel that includes a peripheral bonding section that extends beyond the outermost dimension of the opening, and then adhesively bonding the overlap portion of the original roof panel to the peripheral bonding section of the replacement roof panel.

Abstract: A method for repairing a high temperature composite structure fabricated from layers of composite plies. If the composite structure contains an internal high temperature core, the core is first restored by installing a core block into the damaged region, bonding the core block in place by applying high temperature material resin and uncured foam material into the region between the core block and the damaged region, and partially curing the core block. A number of repair plies, formed from pre-impregnated composite material or formed using dry cloth manually impregnated with high temperature resin are prepared. The repair plies are sized and shaped using a series of templates corresponding to the damaged region. The installed plies are cured using high temperature localized heating of the damaged region without impairing the surrounding structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a dowel-adhesive method for repairing ceramic matrix composites. The dowel adhesive method embodied in the present invention incorporates both adhesive and mechanical bonding of a patch to a damaged CMC surface area. The damaged area is first identified and then pre-processed. Next, a CMC patch plug is produced and adhesively and mechanically bonded to the pre-processed area. Mechanical bonding is accomplished with dowel pins and corresponding dowel pin holes in the patch plug and the panel. The dowel pins anchor the CMC patch plug to the panel. Adhesive bonding is accomplished by placing a ceramic adhesive between the patch plug and the panel. Also, the dowel pins are adhesively bonded within the dowel pin holes of the plug and the panel. The ceramic adhesive is set by a low temperature cure (if required) and a high temperature firing.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for repairing damaged portions of an exposed surface of wallboard.

Abstract: A minimum visibility seam tape and method of joining at least two substrates with the tape. The substrates joined typically are sign faces or awnings comprising a composite of thermoplastics and a woven scrim. The seam tape is a woven or nonwoven scrim embedded in or coated with a thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Parallel spaced grooves are cut within the surface of an existing reinforced concrete member in the direction of bending and at locations where existing tensile reinforcing is inadequate. Elongated reinforcing elements, such as composite rods with continuous carbon fibers, are positioned within the grooves, after a curable bonding material, such as an epoxy resin, is inserted into each groove so that the bonding material surrounds the reinforcing element. The material is formed flush with the surface and allowed to cure to bond each reinforcing element to the concrete defining the corresponding groove. The grooves and reinforcing elements extend within the top surface of a concrete slab across a beam or support for the slab, extend within the bottom surface of the slab at least fifty percent of the distance between adjacent supports for the slab, or within a vertical surface of a concrete or masonry wall or column.

Abstract: The strength of composite patches is improved over conventional bolted or bonded patches by including Z-pins in the patch/parent structure interface to provide a mechanical link with small stress concentration between the patch and the parent structure. In some cases, we achieve a stronger repair removing the pins to leave holes that fill with resin from the patch during the curing or bonding operation.

Abstract: A replacement shift knob assembly for use on a truck transmission. Many truck transmissions have shift knob assemblies that contain a removable knob element with a specific bottom configuration and at least one manual switch that relies upon the specific bottom configuration of the knob element to function. The present invention replacement shift knob assembly includes a knob element made from an aesthetically pleasing material such as wood, stone, ceramic of the like. A base plate is attached to the bottom of the knob element. The base plate has a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the second side of the base plate is configured to generally physically mimic the specific bottom configuration of the original shift knob being replaced. The base plate is made from a material that differs from the replacement knob element in order to provide the base plate with greater material strength and wear resistance.

Abstract: An assembly for a rotating composite inlet nose cone is reinforced or is repaired after having undergone delamination. The assembly strengthens the inlet nose cone and thus blacks delaminations of the inlet nose cone. In one particular embodiment, the assembly includes an outer ring that blacks delaminations in an undamaged rotating inlet nose cone. The outer ring has a higher stiffness to mass ratio than the adjacent portion of the inlet nose cone assembly. In one detailed embodiment, an inner ring is disposed inwardly of the adjacent portion of the inlet nose cone assembly. The inner ring in one detailed embodiment has a lower stiffness to mass ratio than the outer ring.

Abstract: For replacement of automotive windshields by aftermarket installers, two mirror image grips have a curved tubular handle which is welded to a sheet metal base with two legs which are at an obtuse angle to one another. The curved handle allows smooth repositioning of an installer's hands as the large windshield is shifted into position on the automobile, the obtuse angle base provides sufficient clearance for the full range of hand positions. Each leg of the sheet metal base is positioned to abut against an installer's hand during different stages of windshield lifting, i.e. when the windshield is vertical, and when it is inverted and horizontal. The grips are used to lift and position a windshield with a bead of urethane thereon into the pinch weld of the automobile.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed using a graphite fiber blanket (20) of high thermal conductivity to repair an aircraft structure (10) made of composite fiber materials. The graphite fiber blanket (20) is placed in thermal contact with a silicone rubber heat blanket (22), with an internal heat source, and the aircraft structure, such as composite laminates (12, 14). Use of the graphite fiber blanket (20) increases the rate at which the temperature of the laminates can be elevated to the proper range for repair and transfers heat from hot spots to cold spots to ensure a uniform temperature throughout the laminates.

Abstract: A fire resistant patch for aircraft composite cargo bay liners. The patch includes a base member consisting of at least one inner sheet of woven fiberglass with outer layers of flame resistant plastic. A scrim consisting of a fiberglass lattice netting having a periphery larger than that of the base member includes a pressure sensitive adhesive on a bottom side thereof is also provided. A layer of resin containing a flame retardant additive is applied to the bottom side of the base member, and the base member is applied to the liner to cover the damaged area thereof. The resin layer is allowed to partially cure to retard movement of the base member. Strips of flame resistant tape may be affixed over the base member to hold it in place instead of the partial curing. The scrim is then placed over the base member and tape on the liner using the pressure sensitive adhesive. The scrim is placed such that the periphery thereof extends beyond the entire periphery of the base member.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for joining pieces of unseasoned or undr wood, by finger jointing or other joining technique. The wood may have a moisture content above the fibre saturation point of the wood, and as high as 50% to 100% or higher moisture content. An adhesive having a sufficiently high molecular weight or viscosity to avoid adhesive degradation or migration due to moisture in the wood during forming and curing of the joint, or which will cure to achieve such a sufficiently high molecular weight or viscosity during forming and curing of the joint is employed. Optionally a cure promotor or chemical which increases the rate of cure of the adhesive may be used. Preferred adhesives are formaldehyde based adhesives. Preferred cure promotor or chemicals are ammonia or amine compounds, organic acids including low molecular weight carboxylic acids, and Lewis or Bronsted class acids.

Abstract: A process for reconditioning a standardized tight head drum for re-use as either a tight-head drum or a wide-neck drum. The standardized tight head drum has an upper head drum welded to the drum body at a seam. This drum is reconditioned by separating the upper drum head from the drum along a cut line at a location below the seam. The cut edge is smoothed and sized and the interior of the drum is cleaned. For re-use as a tight head drum, an upper head having a fill plug and a vent plug is welded onto the cut edge of the drum. For re-use as a wide-neck drum, a neck ring is welded onto the cut edge and a wide-neck drum cover is placed on the neck ring. The reconditioned tight head and wide-neck drums have the same nominal volume and the same height and diameter dimensions as the tight head drum prior to reconditioning.

Abstract: A method for reusing loose, rejected or scrapped mats (1) of the type having a compact rubber-cloth backing (2) with a textile pile (3) incorporated therein, as well as a circumferential, pile-free backing edge portion (4, 4'), is disclosed. After optionally shaving off pile to produce the circumferential, pile-free backing edge portion, two such mats of essentially the same size, or one such mat and a pile-free rubber cloth of essentially the same size, are put together with the pile sides facing one another, or with the pile side facing the rubber cloth. Then, the edge portions (4, 4') are attached to one another throughout the entire circumference in an air-entrapping manner, whereby to obtain a mat especially suited for use on working sites or in industry.

Abstract: A method and product for repairing sound attenuation structure for aircraft jet engine noise that includes a central honeycomb core having an imperforate facing sheet adhesively bonded thereto and a perforated facing sheet adhesively bonded to the opposing surface of the core with a woven wire cloth media adhesively bonded to the outer surface of the perforated sheet. The wire cloth is subject to deterioration and disbonding in service use. The method provides for the removal of the deteriorated wire cloth that has disbonded or deteriorated and, after cleaning of the perforated sheet and the associated honeycomb core area, and priming of the cleaned area of the perforated sheet replacement with a polymer film that is precoated with a pressure sensitive adhesive so that the film may be easily applied to the exposed perforated sheet area in place of the removed wire cloth.

Abstract: Damaged plastic vehicle bumpers are treated in hot water, heating the plastic further with a heat gun to soften the plastic, joining cracked portions of the bumper with glue, cooling the bumper, sanding it to remove high spots, cutting a v-groove on each side of a severely damaged portion and filling with a bumper plastic and treating the bumper to make it ready to receive a coat of paint.

Abstract: A film strip with a damaged end portion is repaired by using jig means for severing the strip at a fixed distance from a pre-existing locating hole to remove the damaged end portion and then attaching a pre-formed replacement end member in the same location by reference to the same locating hole. The replacement end member has the same edge configuration and hole features as the original film end portion and overlaps the severed film end to permit it to be adhesively bonded thereto.