A wind turbine rotor blade is bonded together at the leading and trailing edges, and including a shear web or webs (the main vertical stiffening member that runs the span of the rotor blade) as an integral part, sharing the inner and outer skins of one or both sides of the blade. The integrated shear web(s) is made into the skin shell, and is an uninterrupted, continuous extension of the shell laminate that is joined to the shell component/components without requiring a secondary bond of any sort. The laminates in the shell and the shear web(s) may differ or be the same.

A spiral wound gasket includes a resilient sealing element including spirally wound, alternating layers of metal banding and winding fill material that incorporates a significant quantity of talc with quantities of fiber and binder. Either or both of an outer guide ring and inner guide ring may extend from peripheral outer and inner surfaces of the sealing element. Embodiments of the gasket overlay one or both axial faces of the sealing element with a layer facing material that incorporates a significant quantity of talc with quantities of fiber and binder.

The invention relates to a method for producing a body armor with several armor elements (4) that are connected to one another, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) supply of an armor blank (2) with at least two armor elements (4) which are connected to one another or in a fixed position relative to one another, b) reshaping of the armor blank (2) in at least one reshaping direction such that the at least two armor elements (4) are reshaped, c) separation of the at least two connected armor elements (4) from one another and d) flexible connection of the separated armor elements (4).

A method and apparatus is presented. A layer of composite material is laid up on a forming tool. A bend is formed in the layer on the forming tool to form a bent layer. A laminate stack and the bent layer are assembled to form the composite filler.

A tubular construction element and a method for forming a tubular construction element built of longitudinally extending segments in which the segments are joined together in a side-by-side relationship and in which the longitudinal direction of the tubular construction element being greater than the diameter thereof.

A novel technique for the fabrication of a casket dome lid from, for example, Smooth-One-Side (S1S) hardboard is disclosed. The invention is also directed to the fabrication of a casket lid which has a domed configuration both in the lateral and longitudinal directions of the lid. The method comprises the steps of providing a lid blank having a first end, second end, and a central region; providing a pair of diagonal voids oriented at corners of the first end of said blank and extending inward toward the central region; placing the lid blank in a vacuum fixture; and flexing the lid blank into a domed configuration via the vacuum fixture, such that the blank is domed in both a longitudinal and a transverse direction.

Apparatus for forming composite plies on a contoured tool includes a forming head for forming the composite plies on the tool. The forming head is mounted on a manipulator and includes a compliant nosepiece adapted to conform to the contoured tool.

A method for manufacturing a structural assembly comprising at least two assembly components interconnected by means of a thermoplastic plastics material, and useful in the field of aviation or space travel. First, a first assembly component and a second assembly component are provided and arranged so as to form an arrangement. Second, the arrangement is subjected to creep forming at a temperature which is selected in such a way that the thermoplastic plastics material melts at least in part during the creep forming so as to connect the first assembly component and the second assembly component. The invention further relates to structural assemblies, in particular for an aircraft or spacecraft, and to an aircraft or spacecraft comprising a structural assembly of this type.

A method for forming an optical fiber array. A substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface is provided. The substrate is provided with a plurality of apertures extending through the substrate from the first surface to the second surface. In addition, a plurality of fibers are provided. The fibers have fiber ends with a diameter smaller than the smallest diameter of the apertures. A first fiber is inserted in a first corresponding aperture, from the first surface side of the substrate, such that the fiber end is positioned in close proximity of the second surface. The inserted first fiber is bent in a predetermined direction such that the fiber abuts a side wall of the first aperture at a predetermined position. After the first fiber is bent, a second fiber is inserted in a second corresponding aperture, from the first surface side of the substrate, such that the fiber end is positioned in close proximity of the second surface. The inserted second fiber is bent in conformity with a shape of the first fiber, such that the fiber abuts a side wall of the second aperture at a predetermined position. The bent fibers are bonded together using an adhesive material.

A table can be made entirely from tempered glass. Structural components including the table top, end pieces, and a stabilizing cross piece can be made from glass. Glass connectors can be used to attach the structural components. The structural components of the table can be shaped to provide shapes that can become an integral part of the design. Rubber feet can be used to protect the glass and floors. The glass can be printed using a high temperature printing process to provide visual appeal to the overall design. The table can be particularly suited to outdoor use due to its durability and ease of cleaning. The table can also incorporate bent tempered glass to provide strength and alternative design options.