Abstract: During implementing a composite metal part by compaction of an insert having reinforcing fibers in a metal body or container, gas used for compaction may enter the cavity formed in the container for receiving the insert between a lid covering the insert and the container, which can prevent or degrade compaction and diffusion welding of fiber sheaths of the insert therebetween and/or with walls of the cavity. To solve this problem, the present method includes initiating isostatic compaction by a phase including raising and maintaining temperature, followed by a phase including hot-feeding pressurized gas, and machining an assembly to obtain the part. The temperature raising phase includes a diffusion pre-welding of material rigidly connecting the pressure-adjusted walls of the lid and the container. The method can be used for designing parts having a tensile and compression resistance, such as parts for aircraft landing gear.

Abstract: The objective is to enable the formation of an outer circumferential layer by a filament winding process to be performed appropriately, and to achieve the weight reduction of a gas tank by reducing the weight of a mouthpiece. The gas tank comprises a mouthpiece attached to an end of a tank main body in its axis direction, and an outer circumferential layer formed over an outer circumferential surface of the tank main body and an outer circumferential surface of the mouthpiece by a filament winding process. On the end of the tank main body in the axis direction, a recess section, in which an outside end surface of the mouthpiece is embedded in the inner side from an outside end surface of the outer circumferential layer, is formed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a flexible and self-supporting insulating end cone liner comprising resilient and compressible non-intumescent material molded into a single, continuous piece having a three dimensional cone shape, with the insulating material comprising inorganic fibers and a binder, as well as a method of making a pollution control device that includes such an end cone liner.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a metal part reinforced with ceramic fibers including machining at least one housing for an insert in a metal body having an upper face. At least one insert formed from ceramic fibers in a metal matrix is placed in the housing. The insert is covered with a cover. A vacuum is created in the interstitial space around the insert and the interstitial space is hermetically sealed under vacuum. The assembly, namely the metal body with the cover, is treated by hot isostatic pressure. The treated assembly is machined in order to obtain the part. The cover includes an element covering the insert in the slot and projecting from the upper face, and a sheet covering the upper face with said element. In particular, the insert is straight and the housing for the insert in the metal body forms a straight slot.

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

Abstract: A dual-core blade and method for manufacturing a dual-core blade are disclosed. The blade is formed with a first core portion and a second core portion comprising an epoxy having a plurality of expanded microspheres. The method of forming the two foams generally comprises sizing a foam core to form a first core portion and providing and preparing an epoxy mixture to form a second core portion. The first core portion and the second core portion of the epoxy mixture are placed into a preform, and the preform is heated slightly so as to cause the epoxy mixture to flow into the shape of the preform and around the first core portion. The first core portion and the second core portion are then bonded in a molding operation. The formed structure can form part of a hockey stick blade.

Abstract: A composite blade includes a preform and a binder. The preform is a preform of yarns woven in three-dimensions and has a tip region, a root region and an intermediate region. The intermediate region is positioned between the tip region and the root region. The yarns comprise warp yarns and weft yarns. The warp yarns form a longitudinal axis. The weft yarns are positioned at a 90 degree angle to the warp yarns. The weft yarns increase in yarn size as determined by filament count along the longitudinal axis to change the thickness of the preform. The binder maintains the relative positions of the preform yarns.

Abstract: A thermal processing and consolidation system is provided that includes an upper chamber assembly lower chamber assembly, layup and demolding station, transfer assembly, automatic or permanent coupling system, and controller. The upper and lower chamber assemblies are coupled to form an enclosed plenum operable to maintain a pressurized environment about a tool. The layup and demolding station receives the tool and facilitates the layup, bagging and sealing of unprocessed components at the tool. A transfer assembly accurately positions the tool on the lower chamber assembly in alignment with the upper chamber assembly. An automatic or permanent coupling system provides services to the tool and the enclosed plenum. A controller directs services to be supplied to the enclosed plenum and tool in accordance with a set of process parameters. This set of process parameters allows an individual set of unprocessed components to be thermally processed and consolidated.

Abstract: A leaf spring manufactured from composite material has a variable cross sectional area. The leaf spring is manufactured by die forming a core of a constant cross section, then winding fibres onto the core to create a spring with a variable cross section and then cutting the spring to size. A ply lay-up station is shown which winds fibre onto a die formed workpiece as it moves through the station.

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

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structural body having a honeycomb unit includes obtaining a honeycomb molded body including a compound containing a phosphate group zeolite and an inorganic binder. The honeycomb molded body has a plurality of through holes that are defined by cell walls and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb molded body. The honeycomb molded body is dried. The dried honeycomb molded body is fired to obtain the honeycomb unit. At least one of the honeycomb unit and the dried honeycomb molded body is stored so that a difference in moisture content is approximately 5 mass % or less between a moisture content of the cell walls at a center part of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a moisture content of the cell walls at an outer periphery part of the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integral rotationally symmetrical part, which includes producing a blank of the part around a cylindrical mandrel, the blank including at least one fibrous structure made of composite ceramic fibers coated with metal, followed by a diffusion-welding treatment of the blank by hot isostatic pressing, and optionally machining the thus-treated blank to obtain the part. The blank includes at least a first metal-wire layer between the mandrel and the composite fibrous structure, and at least a second metal-wire layer arranged around the composite fibrous structure to cover the composite fibrous structure.

Abstract: Fibrous materials, compositions that include fibrous materials, and uses of the fibrous materials and compositions are disclosed. For example, the fibrous materials can be operated on by a microorganism to produce ethanol or a by-product, such as a protein or lignin.

Abstract: A composite article may include a plurality of fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers may include a first fiber and a second fiber which may be oriented in substantially parallel relation to one another. The first and second fibers may be connected to one another at one or more connection sites.

Abstract: A manufacturing procedure of a composite material part (11), with an edge region (13) destined to be joined to another part by rivets, making a change in the geometry of said edge region (13) with respect to an initial surface (41) on the part's external face, comprising the following steps: a) providing a laying-up tool incorporating a modified surface (43) according to said change in the edge region (13) geometry; b) providing the composite material plies needed for the laying-up of the part, with the plies (51, 51?, . . . , 51n) destined for the edge region (13) of the part affected by the geometric modification being already cut so that they finish as they reach said modified surface (43); c) laying-up said plies over said tool and curing the resultant laminate. The invention also refers to a lower skin of an aircraft wing (11) manufactured according to said procedure.

Abstract: A material composite has at least one region of copper or a copper alloy, at least one region of a predominantly graphitic material, and at least one boundary region between them. The boundary region has one or more carbides from the group of the IVb, Vb, VIb transition metals and one or more elements of the group consisting of Si, B, Al, Ge, Mn, Sn. In a preferred implementation of the invention, the composite is produced with a back-casting process.

Abstract: A method for cleaving one or more optical fiber(s) at an angle to the optic axis is provided and includes clamping the optical fiber(s) with its coating stripped to expose its distal end. An axial force and/or a bending force is applied to the optical fibre to create internal stresses in the fiber. A sharp blade is provided in an orientation such the blade edge is perpendicular to the optical fiber. The blade is further orientated such that a plane bisecting the blade angle formed between two polished surfaces of the blade is slanted relative to the longitudinal axis of the fibre. The at least one optical fiber is scratched with the sharp blade to create a non-perpendicular cleave having a controlled shape in the region of the scratch. A method of splicing the fibers and a tool for cleaving the fibers are also provided.

Abstract: A tampon applicator barrel including a cardboard tube having a first end and a second end and at least one gripping structure defined from the cardboard tube proximate the second end is provided. The cardboard tube has a wall thickness of between about 0.015 and about 0.020 inches, while the gripping structure has a height of up to about 0.035 inches.

Abstract: An accessory unit includes a front flap and a rear cover. The rear cover includes a recessed portion that defines a chamber and a frame that extends about an opening of the chamber. The chamber is configured to receive a consumer electronic device, and the frame is configured to hold the consumer electronic device therein. For example, the frame may define a multi-sided cross-section with an inner edge thereof configured to engage a chamfered edge of the consumer electronic device. The front flap may include segments formed from panels with folding regions therebetween, which allow the front flap to fold. Further, an end region of the front flap hingedly couples the front flap to the rear cover, such that the front flap may be moved between open and closed configurations.

Abstract: A composite article may comprise a plurality of fibers. Each one of the fibers may have upper, lower and side surfaces. The fibers may be embedded within a matrix. At least one of the upper and lower surfaces of at least one of the fibers may include a notch region and a pair of side regions on opposite sides of the notch region. The plurality of fibers may be arranged in layers. At least one of the fibers of one of the layers may be received within the notch region of at least one of the fibers of another one of the layers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for tolerance compensation between two fiber composite component parts (1, 3) for aircraft. In order to compensate in simplified fashion tolerances between two fiber composite component parts being joined, the method according to the invention has the steps: a) manufacturing the first fiber composite component part (1) wherein an assembly surface (2) can have tolerance deviations, b) manufacturing a tooling insert (7) from a surface geometry of the assembly surface (2) c) manufacturing the second fiber composite component part (3) by means of the tooling insert (7) wherein a surface geometry of a contact surface (9) of the second fiber composite component part (3) corresponds substantially with the surface geometry of the assembly surface (2), and d) joining the first fiber composite component part (1) to the second fiber composite component part (3) in the area of the assembly surface (2) and contact surface (9).

Abstract: A composite blade has a root and a tip in a spanwise direction and a leading edge and a trailing edge in a chordwise direction. The composite blade includes a three-dimensional woven preform having weft yarns and warp yarns. The weft yarns extend in the spanwise direction of the composite blade. The warp yarns interweave the weft yarns and extend in the chordwise direction of the blade.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a metal part reinforced with ceramic fibers, in which: a housing is formed for an insert in a main metal body having an upper face; an insert formed from a bundle of fibers with a metal matrix is placed in the housing; a metal cover is placed on the main body so as to cover the insert; the cover is welded onto the metal body; a hot isostatic pressing operation is carried out; and the part obtained is machined to the desired shape. The housing has the shape of a notch of L-shaped cross section with a face perpendicular to the upper face and a face parallel to the upper face, the cover having an internal notch of L-shaped cross section, this having a shape complementary to that of the metal body with said insert, the cover being shaped on the outside so that the pressure forces are exerted perpendicular to said faces of the notch.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing an FRP member with insert which enables to reduce a machining time to improve productivity. First, a threaded hole 11 is formed in an insert 3. An FRP member 2 where at least the threaded hole 11 of the insert 3 is covered with a coating 4 made of FRP is molded. A counter-bored hole 31 that penetrates the coating 4 of the FRP member 2 to communicate with the threaded hole 11 of the insert 3 is formed, to thereby obtain an FRP component 1 with insert. Accordingly, a machining step after molding the FRP member 2 in which dry machining is required includes only the boring step of forming the counter-bored hole 31 in the FRP member 2. Thus, the machining time can be reduced, and the productivity can be improved.

Abstract: In a method for making roller shades a stack of pleated material is cut so that the length of the stack corresponds to the width of the roller shade being made. Then the edge of the material is attached to a roller so that the plurality of pleats are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller. Preferably the stack of pleated material has been made from strips bonded together to form tabs where the edges of adjacent fabric segments are joined together. Preferably the tabs in the panel of pleated material will be along one edge of the stack and the pleats will be along the opposite edge of the stack.

Abstract: A process for placing at least one fiber element on a surface is disclosed so as to provide a deposited fiber element having a width that varies longitudinally. The process may provide a step in which the width of the fiber element is modified upstream of the deposition step using a width control device. A device for performing the process is also disclosed. Further, fibrous sheets containing one or more deposited fiber element having a width that varies longitudinally are also disclosed. Preforms formed from one or more of the fibrous sheets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue scaffold fabricated from bioinert fiber forms a rigid three-dimensional porous matrix having a bioinert composition. Porosity in the form of interconnected pore space is provided by the space between the bioinert fiber in the porous matrix. Strength of the porous matrix is provided by bioinert fiber fused and bonded into the rigid three-dimensional matrix having a specific pore size and pore size distribution. The tissue scaffold supports tissue in-growth to provide osteoconductivity as a tissue scaffold, used for the repair of damaged and/or diseased bone tissue.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a metal part reinforced with ceramic fibers, in which: a housing for an insert is machined in a metal body having an upper face; an insert formed from a fiber bundle having a metal matrix is placed in the housing; a metal cover is placed on the metal body so as to cover the insert; the cover is welded onto the metal body; the assembly including the metal body with the cover undergoes a hot isostatic compression treatment; and the treated assembly is machined to obtain the part. The insert is a rectilinear insert and the housing forms a rectilinear groove that extends beyond the insert and is open at each end, the groove being filled by a tab when the cover is placed on the metal body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an application head for applying fiber strips made up of a structural assembly determining a path conveying multiple fiber strips (2) to an application area (3), each fiber strip (2) passing through a drive roller (5) and a tension regulator (6), whereas in the application area (3) the fiber strips (2) are pressed individually by a compactor system (8) comprising a series of independent partial rollers (9), each of which is arranged with a fastening comprising a system for height wise movement and a floating system.

Abstract: A torque tube includes a composite body and an end fitting. The composite tube includes a body having a body interior diameter, a wall thickness, an end having an edge, and a set of helically-shaped grooves. Each helically-shaped groove may pass through the wall thickness. Each helically-shaped groove may begin at the edge and end in the body. The end fitting may include a sleeve configured to mate with the body interior diameter and a set of ribs configured to mate with the set of helically-shaped groove.

Abstract: A method for producing a metallic part including inner reinforcements of ceramic fibers, according to which: at least one recess for an insert is machined in a metallic body having an upper surface; at least one insert of ceramic fibers in a metallic matrix is arranged in the recess; the insert is covered with a cover; the gap around the insert is placed under a vacuum and hermetically sealed; the entire metallic body with the cover is treated by hot isostatic compaction; and the treated assembly is machined to produce the part. The insert is rectilinear, and the recess for the insert in the metallic body forms a rectilinear groove, the cover being dimensioned so as to be able to placed on the insert in the recess after having been shrunk by cooling and to establish a tight fit in the groove by dilation such as to close the space.

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

Abstract: A honeycomb structure that includes cells in which septums are located to provide acoustic dampening. The cells are formed by at least four walls wherein at least two of the walls are substantially parallel to each other. The septums include warp fibers and weft fibers that are substantially perpendicular to each other. The septums are oriented in the honeycomb cells such that the weft fibers and/or warp fibers are substantially perpendicular to the parallel walls.

Abstract: A tip (20) for a rotary machine tool comprising a superhard structure (12) joined to a cemented carbide substrate 14 by means of at least one intermediate layer (161, 62, 163) disposed between the superhard structure (12) and the cemented carbide substrate (14), the intermediate layer or layers (161, 162, 163) comprising grains of superhard material and grains of a metal carbide material dispersed in a metal binder material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structural component for an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising a component core extended across a component area, a first and second cover layer, which are formed on two opposite bounding surfaces of the component core and extend across the component area, a plurality of braces, which are distributed across the component area and connect the first and second cover layers to each other through the component core, and a stiffening belt, which extends between the cover layers along a stiffening line that extends substantially parallel to the component area.

Abstract: Absorbent articles and methods for making absorbent articles incorporate unbleached fibers in an absorbing core. Example embodiments provide unbleached fibers which are totally chlorine free. Such unbleached fibers provide features and advantages not present or recognized over prior articles. According to one embodiment, a disposable absorbent article having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region located between the front and back waist regions, is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes a liquid pervious topsheet and a liquid impervious backsheet. Additionally, the disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent core disposed between at least a portion of the topsheet and bottom sheet. This absorbent core comprises a superabsorbent material and pulp material where at least a portion of the pulp material includes unbleached fibers having constituents which alter the performance properties of the absorbent core.

Abstract: A technique enables construction of a simplified inflatable packer. An inflatable packer is constructed with a packer reinforcement layer having at least one fiber layer. The fiber layers provide both mechanical and anti-extrusion qualities in a relatively simple and small package. Depending on the desired application, the inflatable packer also comprises an inner bladder layer and other potential layers, such as an outer seal layer. Mechanical extremities are used to secure longitudinal ends of the various packer layers, including the packer reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A combination oxygenator and arterial filter device for treating blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit. The device includes a housing maintaining a core and a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is formed by a plurality of hollow fibers continuously helically wound about the core to form layers of level wound fibers. The layers combine to define an oxygenator region and a radially outward depth filter region. A minimum gap spacing between fibers of the oxygenator region layers is greater than a minimum gap spacing of the depth filter region layers. The fiber bundle can function as a blood oxygenator and exhibits a filtration efficiency of not less than 92% in filtering particles having a particle size of about 45 microns. An oxygenator with integrated arterial filtering capability is provided that minimally impacts the extracorporeal blood circuit prime volume.

Abstract: A brake disk (10) includes an annular core (12, 60, 82) formed from a plurality of non-annular pieces (40, 66, 68, 84), a first friction disk (14) mounted on a first side of the annular core (12, 60, 82), a second friction disk (14) mounted on a second side of the core (12, 60, 82) opposite from the first friction disk (14), and at least one fastener (58) connecting the first and second friction disks (14, 14) to the core (12, 60, 82). Also a method of assembling a brake disk from a core and friction elements.

Abstract: A tissue scaffold fabricated from bioinert fiber forms a rigid three-dimensional porous matrix having a bioinert composition. Porosity in the form of interconnected pore space is provided by the space between the bioinert fiber in the porous matrix. Strength of the porous matrix is provided by bioinert fiber fused and bonded into the rigid three-dimensional matrix having a specific pore size and pore size distribution. The tissue scaffold supports tissue in-growth to provide osteoconductivity as a tissue scaffold, used for the repair of damaged and/or diseased bone tissue.

Abstract: A process of making a base of a shock-absorbing front fork for a bicycle, includes the steps of winding pre-pregs around an upper section of each of two cured straight tubes to form a bridge having a foamed core therein, and placing the two straight tubes and the bridge in a mold and heating the mold for curing the bridge such that the bridge and the straight tubes are connected integrally.

Abstract: A composite article may comprise a plurality of fibers. Each one of the fibers may have upper, lower and side surfaces. The fibers may be embedded within a matrix. At least one of the upper and lower surfaces of at least one of the fibers may include a notch region and a pair of side regions on opposite sides of the notch region. The plurality of fibers may be arranged in layers. At least one of the fibers of one of the layers may be received within the notch region of at least one of the fibers of another one of the layers.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the mass of a composite panel composed of a plurality of uniform thickness zones, each zone defined by a vertical arrangement of plies, each arrangement having a different number of piles, and different orientation angles, where a positioning order of the plies has a given orientation angle with respect to the others in the vertical arrangement, and the proportion of plies has a given orientation angle with respect to all the plies composing the vertical arrangement. The optimization includes defining a lay-up table, and defining a vertical arrangement of plies for each uniform thickness zone, and starting from the lay-up table, building a function describing the physical properties of each zone as a function of the total thickness of each zone, where the total thickness for each zone is adjusted using a discrete variables iteration process, until the mass of the panel is a minimum.

Abstract: A catheter section comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The elongate tubular member includes a knit tubular member and an inner tubular liner in coaxial relationship with the knit tubular member. The catheter section is for use as a distal section in a catheter having a relatively stiff proximal section.

Abstract: A tool for adjusting a grip. The tool includes a tubular section for containing the grip while receiving a cable. A first stop is positioned in or near a first end of the tubular section to provide an opening for introducing the cable into the tubular section while the grip is contained in the tool. One of first and second stops is arranged for displacement along the longitudinal axis with respect to the other stop. With the grip positioned between the first and second stops, when one of the stops is displaced toward the other stop a force is applied against the grip, causing the size of the bore to increase and the length of the grip to be contracted.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to body gear having designed performance characteristics, and in particular to methods and apparatuses that utilize an array of performance characteristic elements coupled to a base material to direct heat, absorb heat, emit heat, and/or wick moisture while also maintaining the desired transfer properties of the base material. In some embodiments, two, three, four, or more performance characteristic elements may be included in a piece of body gear, for example in desired zones of the body gear.

Abstract: Poles for supporting electric transmission lines and a method for forming such poles are provided. An exemplary pole includes a center shaft and a first modular support shaft. The first modular support shaft surrounds more or less of the length of the center shaft and includes a plurality of first panels.

Abstract: Mechanically interlocking releasable fastener systems include a reinforced shape memory polymer for forming one of the interlocking components. The reinforced shape memory polymer includes a filler material in the form of a fiber and/or platelet. The filler can include an electrically conductive filler, a thermally conductive filler, a dielectric fillers, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed herein are processes for using the releasable fastener systems.

Abstract: A dimpled fabric creation system and method is provided to form a dimpled fabric using a mold or machine having a plurality of protrusions and grooves, while avoiding the repetitive steps to manually shape each protrusion individually by tying portions of fabric individually. The protrusions may be of complex three dimensional shapes to form dimples in the fabric having corresponding complex three dimensional shapes. The system and method provide for creation of a dimpled fabric container, wherein the dimpled fabric container may be utilized in gift wrapping.

Abstract: A device for producing a pattern onto a work piece includes a die, an electromagnetic actuator and a base. The die includes a patterned surface, and the patterned surface includes a pattern. The electromagnetic actuator includes an plate body, a convex part and a strip unit connected to the plate body. The electromagnetic actuator is disposed in the base. When the electromagnetic actuator is activated while a work piece is being positioned between the patterned surface and the electromagnetic actuator, an inductive current is generated on the work piece by the electromagnetic actuator, and then a repulsive force is generated between the electromagnetic actuator and the work piece. The repulsive force causes the work piece to adhere to the patterned surface, forcing the work piece to deform against the patterned surface and to take on the shape of the pattern.