Abstract: A method for fabricating a repair laminate for a composite part having an exposed surface includes applying a bonding material to the exposed surface and forming an uncured ply stack assembly on the bonding material. The uncured ply stack assembly is formed by forming and compacting a series of uncured ply stacks. The ply stack assembly and bonding material are then cured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for placing fiber-reinforced, pre-impregnated, planar semi-finished products on a placement tool for the manufacture of a non-crimp fabric, wherein a placement film is clamped on the placement tool for purposes of holding the non-crimp fabric, and by means of evacuation and/or the application of pressure is fixed in position on the placement tool and/or can be released from the latter. Also disclosed is a placement tool for the execution of such a method.

Abstract: A bow wave in a composite laminate generated during part consolidation is reduced by transmitting atmospheric pressure loads to a region of the part having low compaction pressure due to bridging of a vacuum bag at an edge of the part.

Abstract: A heater tube is provided for use in a method of producing a diamond or cubic boron nitride (CBN) tipped cutting tool by sintering a mass of crystalline particles to a metal carbide. The heater tube has a cylindrical shape and is comprised of a plurality of windings of an expanded graphite foil which are compressed together. In the method, a heater tube assembly is formed which comprises the metal carbide substrate positioned within the heater tube and a mass of diamond or CBN particles positioned within the heater tube adjacent the substrate. The method includes simultaneously applying sufficient levels of pressure to the heater tube assembly and sufficient levels of electrical current to the heater tube assembly for a sufficient amount of time to cause sintering of the crystalline particles and bonding to the substrate to form a diamond or CBN tipped cutting tool.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semi-finished blank for a varifocal liquid crystal lens includes coating the front of a first substrate and/or the rear of a second substrate with an adhesive agent, leaving an adhesive agent-free region that surrounds a liquid crystal holder; after said coating operation, reducing the pressure inside a sealed vessel that holds the first substrate and the second substrate, with respect to atmospheric pressure; affixing the second substrate over the front of the first substrate in the reduced pressure environment produced in said reducing the pressure operation; performing a standby operation including continuing the affixed state between the first substrate and the second substrate for a specific length of time in the reduced pressure environment produced in said reducing the pressure operation after the substrates have been affixed; and after said standby operation, restoring the pressure of the sealed vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of forming a molded thermoplastic piece are provided. The molded thermoplastic piece can have an outer layer of one or more sheets of reinforced flexible thermoplastic and a porous layer, such as cork. The outer layer can a mechanical bond with the porous layer.

Abstract: A heater tube is provided for use in a method of producing a diamond or cubic boron nitride (CBN) tipped cutting tool by sintering a mass of crystalline particles to a metal carbide. The heater tube has a cylindrical shape and is comprised of a plurality of windings of an expanded graphite foil which are compressed together. In the method, a heater tube assembly is formed which comprises the metal carbide substrate positioned within the heater tube and a mass of diamond or CBN particles positioned within the heater tube adjacent the substrate. The method includes simultaneously applying sufficient levels of pressure to the heater tube assembly and sufficient levels of electrical current to the heater tube assembly for a sufficient amount of time to cause sintering of the crystalline particles and bonding to the substrate to form a diamond or CBN tipped cutting tool.

Abstract: A holding tool 2 for use in producing of laminated glass includes a frame 3, a bag member 4 and a supporting member 6b for suspending the bag member 4 from the frame 3. The bag member 4 is made of a film with flexibility and airtightness, is provided with a sealable opening and has evacuating ports 7a and 7b in the vicinity of an periphery of a flat shape thereof having the periphery sealed. The frame 3 has a first frame member 3w and a second frame member 3y opposing each other and disposed outside the periphery of the bag member 4, and the bag member 4 is suspended by the supporting member 6b movably against the frame 3 on a holding face formed at least by the first frame member 3w and the second frame member 3y inside an area formed by connecting ends of these frame members.

Abstract: A method and part forming apparatus configured for forming an aircraft stringer. The part forming apparatus may comprise a forming tool, a rigid plate, and a hollow bladder. The forming tool may comprise a material trough, a bladder extension trough laterally aligned with and open to the material trough, and a recessed pocket extending from either side of the bladder extension trough and adjacent to the material trough. The method comprises placing composite material into the material trough, placing the bladder onto the composite material and through the bladder extension trough, placing the rigid plate into the recessed pocket and over the bladder, and then placing skin laminate over the bladder and the composite material. Once each of these components is in place, the forming tool may be vacuum bagged and the composite material and skin laminate may be co-cured to form the stringer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing root of megawatt wind-turbine blade includes the following steps: (1) manufacturing an independent female mould, and arranging a positioning stop-ring on the female mould; (2) clinging on one side of the positioning stop-ring, a plurality of glass fabrics and macroporous glass fabrics are laid on the curved surface of the female mould; (3) after laying the glass fabrics, sealing the female mould using a vacuum bag, and vacuumizing the female mould after a curved supporting board is arranged on the vacuum bag; (4) after laying a plurality of glass fabrics in the blade mould, slinging the prefabricated part and the curved supporting board to arrange them in the blade mould; (5) sealing the blade mould using another vacuum bag, vacuumizing the blade mould, thereafter infusing resin into the blade mould, after curing the root of the blade is finally formed.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method for a PDP which allows even high-definition and ultra-high-definition PDPs to demonstrate an excellent image display capability at improved luminous efficiency, by suppressing variation of a discharge gas composition, and by eliminating an impurity gas in a discharge space effectively. To achieve the aim, deterioration of an absorbent material 39 composed of copper ion-exchanged ZSM-5-type zeolite is prevented, by performing both sealing and evacuation steps for the front substrate 2 and back substrate 9 in a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere. This maintains properties of the absorbent material 39 for absorbing the impurity gas without degradation, even if the absorbent material 39 absorbs a Xe gas in a discharge gas introducing step.

Abstract: A holding tool 2 for use in producing of laminated glass includes a frame 3, a bag member 4 and a supporting member 6b for suspending the bag member 4 from the frame 3. The bag member 4 is made of a film with flexibility and airtightness, is provided with a sealable opening and has evacuating ports 7a and 7b in the vicinity of an periphery of a flat shape thereof having the periphery sealed. The frame 3 has a first frame member 3w and a second frame member 3y opposing each other and disposed outside the periphery of the bag member 4, and the bag member 4 is suspended by the supporting member 6b movably against the frame 3 on a holding face formed at least by the first frame member 3w and the second frame member 3y inside an area formed by connecting ends of these frame members.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a multilayer film laminate having a first film layer comprising a perfluorinated copolymer resin layer adhered to a polymeric second film layer that has been surface treated with an aminosilane. The multilayer laminate is useful as a photovoltaic module component. Methods for preparing photovoltaic modules that include the multilayer laminate are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a multilayer film laminate having a first layer comprising a perfluorinated copolymer resin layer adhered to a second layer comprising an olefin ester copolymer that has been blended with an organosilane. The multilayer laminate is useful in photovoltaic modules. Methods for preparing photovoltaic modules are also included.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an air-filled cellular structure for use as a resilient cushion. The method includes providing a molding structure including a shelf substantially surrounding a depression, and a platform that fits within the depression and is selectively movable between a plurality of positions relative to the shelf, moving the platform to a preselected position relative to the shelf, wherein the preselected position corresponds to a substantially predetermined amount of air to be contained by the air-filled cellular structure, and using a vacuum device to draw air from within the depression.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing injection stretch blow molded containers from poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) compositions comprising a poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid), an ethylene ester copolymer, and a nucleator.

Abstract: Continuous molding process and apparatus forms a hot melt of thermoplastic material against a mandrel disposed between revolving belt molds to make hollow product having surface patterns and textures of a variable configuration. The hot melt is delivered to the nip region of the revolving belt molds. The mandrel extends downstream of the nip region and provides resistance to the molding pressure to prevent the collapse of the hot molded product and to define the size and shape of the hollow in the formed product until it cools and sets.

Abstract: A tubesheet is formed at the end of a module containing polymeric material for gas separation, by immersing the end of the module in an epoxy material, or its equivalent. A vacuum, or partial vacuum, applied at or near the opposite end of the module, tends to draw the epoxy material towards the source of the vacuum, and results in a tubesheet having a desired thickness, even though the epoxy material may have relatively high viscosity. The method produces effective tubesheets, while minimizing the degree to which the tubesheet covers the otherwise useful surface area of the polymeric material. The method thus produces gas-separation modules having enhanced productivity.

Abstract: The invention provides polylactic acid (PLA) films substantially free of plasticizers and methods of manufacturing same by blown film process are provided. PLA films are environmentally degradable and have applications in, at least, packaging and labeling.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inflation extrusion molding, comprising: introducing one or more resin materials extruded from one or more extruders into a die; subsequently extruding the resin material(s) from the die and inflating the extrudate into a cylindrical shape having a predetermined diameter by blown-film extrusion; and then passing the cylindrical inflated resin material through a space between stabilizers which face each other at a predetermined angle, to deform the cylindrical resin material into a flat tube shape having an elongated elliptic section, thereby producing a film or sheet having a predetermined width, wherein the deformation of the cylindrical inflated resin material into a flat tube shape having an elongated elliptic section is assisted by a guide device to thereby facilitate the deformation.

Abstract: A method of making a composite tubular article made up of at least two concentric members, the outer of said members being tubular and the inner of said members being at least cylindrical and preferably tubular, and struts disposed in supporting and positioning orientation between the inner and outer members, by extruding a moldable material into the desired profile; stretching the inner tubular member over a cooling mandrel and disposing a cooling sleeve over the outer tubular member under conditions sufficient to solidify the article; twisting and longitudinally pulling the solidified article, so that it rotates over the cooling mandrel and inside the cooling sleeve while it is moving down stream across the cooling mandrel, whereby causing the extrudate to be twisted into a helical shape.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method are provided for manufacturing stably from a thermoplastic resin a resin film product having a small and uniform thickness and smooth surfaces, which has been impossible with a conventional tube extruding method or and blown film extrusion method. It comprises a heating extruder (1) for extruding a molten thermoplastic resin in a tubular form, and a core unit (2) opposed to an inner surface of said thermoplastic resin extruded in the tubular form, and molding said thermoplastic resin to a tubular resin film (20) while exuding a gas to said inner surface. A stabilizing device (4) is disposed between a nozzle (3) of said heating extruder (1) and said core unit (2) for stabilizing a shape of said thermoplastic resin extruded in the tubular form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuously producing plastic tubes by biaxial drawing consisting in producing a blank (E) by extrusion, heating said blank to a molecular condensation temperature, radially dilating it by the internal pressure of a fluid applied between two axially distant obturator rings (7, 11) and in carrying out a calibration (8) and cooling (9) associated with an axial tension produced on a tube at the output thereof. A pressure opposite to the internal pressure is applied to the blank wall from the outside in at least one area which is exposed to the radial dilation. Said opposite pressure is selected such that it is lower than the internal pressure, thereby preventing a counteraction to said dilation and remaining sufficient in order to control the dilation growth in such a way that it is possible to ensure a substantially constant material thickness on the same circumference.

Abstract: A plastic resin extrusion line for the production of blown film includes an external thickness control device that provides a controllable amount of air from an inlet side through an annular region to one or two sets of lips. Barriers that can be manually or automatically controlled are provided in the annular region for localized control of air flow and thus for localized thickness control. The pressure drop across the barriers is significant relative to that in the lips.

Abstract: The manufacturing method of the invention manufactures a fuel filler pipe (branching pipe), where a breather pipe is branched off from a filler pipe main body. The manufacturing method extrudes a first extruded tubular member and a second extruded tubular member, conveys molds arranged on both sides of the first extruded tubular member and the second extruded tubular member, and forms the first extruded tubular member and the second extruded tubular member corresponding to molding surfaces of the molds, so as to mold the filler pipe main body and the breather pipe. The manufacturing method then thermally welds part of the second extruded tubular member with an outer wall of the first extruded tubular member and closes an opening end of the breather pipe to form a welding joint portion. A connection hole for connecting the conduit of the filler pipe main body with the conduit of the breather pipe is formed in the welding joint portion with a tool inserted through an opening of the filler pipe main body.

Abstract: A twin-wall pipe comprises an internal pipe and an external pipe. The external pipe is corrugated, having elevations and troughs. The twin-wall pipe is further provided with a socket. In a transition portion towards the twin-wall pipe and the socket, provision is made for at least one overflow passage which interconnects the clearance between the external pipe and internal pipe in the vicinity of the transition portion and an adjacent elevation.

Abstract: A high density microwall ePTFE structure and a method for making, involving the manipulation of a standard extruded ePTFE graft. The final product has the desired characteristics of high density, reduced wall-thickness, above-average radial strength and enhanced suture retention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a continuous manufacturing method which consists in producing a blank (E) by extrusion, bringing said blank to a temperature for molecular orientation, passing said blank around a radial expansion mandrel (12); gauging and cooling while subjecting the blank to axial traction. The radial expansion produced on the mandrel (12) is partial so that the internal diameter (B) of the blank (E), when it leaves the mandrel, is less than the nominal internal diameter (D) of the finished tube; performing an additional radial expansion of the blank, up to its nominal diameter, by internal fluid pressure. In permanent operating conditions, the inner surface of the blank (E) is no longer in contact with the mandrel (12).

Abstract: A plastic resin extrusion line for the production of blown film includes an external thickness control device that provides a controllable amount of air from an inlet side through an annular region to one or two sets of lips. Barriers that can be manually or automatically controlled are provided in the annular region for localized control of air flow and thus for localized thickness control. The pressure drop across the barriers is significant relative to that in the lips.

Abstract: In a process for making a porous drainage medium composed of entangled strands of thermoplastic resin, subsequent to forming a tubular preform, the preform is formed with necked-down sections at intervals along the length thereof before proceeding to a cooling tank. As such, the drainage medium can be flexed in the cooling tank and can be discharged continuously and conveniently out of the cooling tank without being cut.

Abstract: Mold blocks and methods for thermoforning corrugated plastic pipe that provide a uniform vacuum on the internal lateral surface and optimize forced convective cooling on exterior surface is disclosed. Mating mold blocks have an interior surface with transverse corrugations and an exterior lateral surface having transverse channels containing radial slots that intersect circular slits formed in the interior mold surface. The channels are fitted with a dual cover arrangement that serves to provide (1) a low-resistance vacuum path to the slits located on the interior surface and (2) a forced convective heat transfer path to cool the mold blocks. The cover arrangement is removable, providing a convenient means of inspecting, maintaining and modifying the mold blocks.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in: a) forming by extrusion an extruded thermoplastic tube (20) having, when coming out of the extruder, a diameter D1; b) then subjecting said extruded tube of diameter D1 to a radiation treatment, so as to produced a cross-linked tube (21); c) after bringing said cross-linked tube (21) to a temperature not less than a temperature substantially equal to the melting point of its crystalline phase, subjecting it, in displacement, to a radial monoaxial expansion for form an expanded tube (22) of diameter D2, then cooling it down to a temperature, typically room temperature, at which it can be cut into tube portions (23) with length substantially equal to the height of said caps (1); and e) assembling or forming a head (10, 100, 101, 102, 103) on said tube portion (23), so as to obtain a cap or top (1), with heat-shrinkable skirt, economical and having a homogeneous skirt (11, 12) free of axial connection line.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating hollow chamber sheet extruded lines out of thermoplastic resin includes a vacuum housing and a planar intake area at a first end of the vacuum housing. The planar intake area is configured to receive the extruded line. Support rollers within the vacuum housing are configured to support the extruded line. The extruded line exits the vacuum housing through a planar outlet area located at a second end of the vacuum housing opposite the first end.

Abstract: In a process for making a porous drainage medium composed of entangled strands of thermoplastic resin, subsequent to forming a tubular preform, the preform is formed with necked-down sections at intervals along the length thereof before proceeding to a cooling tank. As such, the drainage medium can be flexed in the cooling tank and can be discharged continuously and conveniently out of the cooling tank without being cut.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an extruded film tube and supplying said tube to a collapsing and roller assembly includes a die for extruding a molten material in the form of a tube which is in a molten state below a frost line and in a solid state above the frost line. A blower system supplies and exhausts cooling air to and from an interior portion of the tube, and is regulated by a valve. At least two sensors are provided, one below the frost line for sensing the position of said tube, and one located proximate the tube in a position above said frost line. The upper sensor is used for sensing the position of the tube prior to collapsing and flattening it. A controller receives feedback signals from both sensors and controls operation of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides continuously crimped propylene polymer nonwoven fabrics as well as processes for forming crimped multicomponent propylene polymer fibers by melt-attenuating extruded multicomponent fibers with heated or unheated air wherein the fibers spontaneously crimp without the need for additional heating and/or stretching steps.

Abstract: A plastic resin extrusion line for the production of blown film includes an external thickness control device that provides a controllable amount of air from an inlet side through an annular region to one or two sets of lips. Barriers that can be manually or automatically controlled are provided in the annular region for localized control of air flow and thus for localized thickness control. The pressure drop across the barriers is significant relative to that in the lips.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a hollow plastic section by extrusion through a die in a horizontal direction. The die has an inner mandrel which forms the cavity in the section. A first sealing plug and a second sealing plug, which sealing plugs are situated at a distance from one another downstream of the inner mandrel are attached to the inner mandrel. The sealing plugs are designed, during operation of the apparatus, to lie in the hollow section, such that they are sealed against the section, so that the sealing plugs and the section delimit a compartment in the cavity of the section. The compartment is filled with a liquid during operation of the apparatus. Vent means are located in the compartment for receiving and discharging gases or vapor which collects at the highest point of the compartment.

Abstract: Provided is a resin guiding device for an inflation molding apparatus, which guides a molten resin extruded and blown into a tubular resin from an inflation molding die, to a pair of take-up rolls, wherein said resin guiding device comprises a pair of guiding members placed between said inflation molding die and said pair of take-up rolls, and said guiding members respectively have curved contact faces which are in contact with the tubular resin where said curved contact faces are mutually outward curved, and each of said curved contact faces has a shape corresponding to a rein shape so as to fold the tubular resin into a flat shape.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus and method for producing torsion cords comprising the steps of: (1) casting a torsion cord of a rubber composition, the mold having a high pressure resistant cylindrical wall and opposite closed ends, (2) efficiently curing the rubber composition at a moderate temperature and high pressure for an extended period of time in the mold, (3) reducing the pressure in the mold, and (4) removing the molded torsion cord from the mold. An improved torsion cord manufactured by the method of the invention is also provided having closely controlled dimensions and improved physical properties with fewer process control procedures.

Abstract: According to the invention thin sheets of foil are stiffened in a particular way by means of vault-structuring. The vault-structuring occurs either by self-organizing or following a self-organized design with a spade-shaped or drop-shaped pattern.

Abstract: A sintered laminated structure including a plurality of ceramic layers made of ceramic materials different from one another, wherein each of the ceramic layers is provided with through-holes passing each of the ceramic layers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a generic method for producing void and gas occlusion free materials, as well as apparatuses for batch and continuous production of same. This generic method can be utilized in the production of a wide variety of polymeric compounds and composites and specifically encompasses the two ends of the polymeric composite spectrum, that is, polymer concretes on the one hand, and fiber-reinforced polymer composites on the other. The composite materials of the present invention are characterized by visual count as being void and gas occlusion free to the level of 1 micron at 1250.times. magnification. Concomitantly, the invention produces useful polymer concrete materials which exhibit substantially improved integrity for easy machining at high speeds, and high dielectric and mechanical strength, as compared with composite materials produced by conventional methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a controlled release device suitable for introduction into a human or animal body. The process comprises coextruding a continuous external body comprising a silicone elastomer and one or more elements comprising a synthetic pharmaceutical agent within the continuous external body.

Abstract: This application discloses a liner pipe reduction system comprising at least one pressurized die and at least one pressure cell. The pressurized dies and pressure cell are interconnected to form a reduction system to reduce the friction of liner pipe as it passes through one or more dies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blown film extrusion apparatus in which film is extruded as a tube from an annular die and then pulled along a predetermined path. The improved blown film extrusion apparatus includes a system for gauging and controlling the surface of the extruded film tube, which includes a number of components which cooperate together. At least one transducer is provided and positioned adjacent the extruded film tube for transmitting interrogating pulses to, and receiving interrogating pulses from, the extruded film tube, and for producing a signal corresponding to a detected position of the extruded film tube. A control system is provided for substituting a filtered position signal derived from a dynamic filtering process in lieu of the detected position signal. An air flow controller is provided for varying a quantity of air within the extruded film tube in response to the control system for urging the extruded film tube to a desired position.

Abstract: Blown films of linear low density polyethylene are produced by a high stalk process comprising extruding the linear low density polyethylene through an annular die to form an extruded tube of molten material, cooling the extruded tube while drawing the tube so cooled, to maintain the tube diameter identical to that of the annular die and expanding the tube or bubble to attenuate the walls thereof by introducing a gas to the interior of the tube or bubble. The resulting films are characterized by superior impact strength and MD tear resistance.

Abstract: An air ring for supplying cooling air to a hot extruded plastic film after the film has been extruded from an annular extrusion die at an elevated temperature has an annular body which surrounds the tubular film after the film has left the extrusion die. The body has a circumferentially extending air passage through which air can be supplied from an external source and which directs cooling air from the passage between the body and the film with a venturi-like effect. A circumferentially extending series of individually operable actuators are each operable to vary the venturi-like effect at its circumferential location and cause the film to become nearer to or further from the body at said location to cause the thickness of the film at said location to decrease or increase.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for cooling or quenching a tube extruded from a water soluble polymer includes a plurality of cooling rings with bores through which the extruded tube passes. A gaseous cooling medium, such as compressed air, is supplied to each cooling ring and is directed immediately downstream of the bore thereof to impinge upon and cool the tubing passing therethrough. The cooling medium is supplied annularly so as to maintain the just-extruded tubing concentric and keep it centered in the bore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the processing of a continuous blown film undergoing collapsing in which a plurality of differential elements of the film follow respective streamline paths which are approximately equal in length to the path of the longest streamline thereby substantially equalizing circumferentially varying shape change induced machine direction stresses and reducing the residence time variations within higher thermal energy regions so as to significantly minimize the commonly rather large magnitudes of variations of gauge, energy to break and machine direction lengths of the solidified material. The method and apparatus provide the potential to structure more uniformly the macromolecular arrangements existing within the material and allow the blown film extrusion of higher modulus materials than have heretofore been possible.