The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

The present invention describes various methods for manufacturing gel composite sheets using segmented fiber or foam reinforcements and gel precursors. Additionally, rigid panels manufactured from the resulting gel composites are also described. The gel composites are relatively flexible enough to be wound and when unwound, can be stretched flat and made into rigid panels using adhesives.

In an example, a composite structure having a variable gage is described. The composite structure includes a first end having a first gage, a second end having a second gage, which is less than the first gage, a plurality of continuous plies, and a plurality of drop-off plies. Each continuous ply extends from the first end to the second end. Each drop-off ply includes a tip having a tapered shape. Each drop-off ply extends from the first end to a respective position of the tip of the drop-off ply between the first end and the second end. The tips of the plurality of drop-off plies are arranged in a monotonically-inward pattern.

An acoustic fiber silencer for a motor vehicle includes a first sound absorbing layer and a second sound insulating layer. The layers are formed of lightweight fibrous material, and the sound insulating layer is quilted. The acoustic fiber silencer includes a frame to which the sound absorbing and sound insulating layers are secured. The frame provides structural support and shape to the sound absorbing and sound insulating layers. The acoustic fiber silencer is lightweight while maintaining excellent noise attenuation properties.

In an example, a composite structure having a variable gage is described. The composite structure includes a first end having a first gage, a second end having a second gage, which is less than the first gage, a plurality of continuous plies, and a plurality of drop-off plies. Each continuous ply extends from the first end to the second end. Each drop-off ply includes a tip having a tapered shape. Each drop-off ply extends from the first end to a respective position of the tip of the drop-off ply between the first end and the second end. The plurality of drop-off plies are separated from each other by at least one of the plurality of continuous plies.

In an example, a composite structure having a variable gage is described. The composite structure includes a first end having a first gage, a second end having a second gage, which is less than the first gage, a plurality of continuous plies, and a plurality of drop-off plies. Each continuous ply extends from the first end to the second end. Each drop-off ply includes a tip having a blunt-end shape. Each drop-off ply extends from the first end to a respective position of the tip of the drop-off ply between the first end and the second end. The plurality of drop-off plies are separated from each other by at least one of the plurality of continuous plies.

In an example, a composite structure having a variable gage is described. The composite structure includes a first end having a first gage, a second end having a second gage, which is less than the first gage, a plurality of continuous plies, and a plurality of drop-off plies. Each continuous ply extends from the first end to the second end. Each drop-off ply includes a tip having a tapered shape. Each drop-off ply extends from the first end to a respective position of the tip of the drop-off ply between the first end and the second end. The tips of the plurality of drop-off plies are arranged in a monotonically-inward pattern.

Provided are heat insulating sheets that may include a resin film having a metal layer and a nonwoven fabric including resin fiber, wherein the resin film and the nonwoven fabric are joined by through holes penetrating the resin film and the nonwoven fabric, and wherein a ratio (La/Lb) of an average distance (La) between the through holes in the resin film to an average distance (Lb) between the through holes in the nonwoven fabric is 1.001 or more and 1.10 or less. Further provided are manufacturing methods of a heat insulating sheet that may include a resin film having a metal layer and a nonwoven fabric including a resin fiber.

A radial tire includes a pair of bead cores, a carcass layer having one or more carcass plies extending from one of the bead cores to another of the bead cores in a toroidal form, a tread portion circumferentially encircling the toroidal form of the carcass layer, and a belt layer having a main belt layer, a first, unreinforced cushion layer disposed on a radially outer side of the main belt layer, a protective belt layer disposed on a radially outer side of the first cushion layer, and a second, unreinforced cushion layer disposed on a radially outer side of the protective belt layer and a radially inner side of the tread portion. The first, unreinforced cushion layer has a radial thickness between 2.0 mm and 10.0 mm.

In an example, a composite structure having a variable gage is described. The composite structure includes a first end having a first gage, a second end having a second gage, which is less than the first gage, a plurality of continuous plies, and a plurality of drop-off plies. Each continuous ply extends from the first end to the second end. Each drop-off ply includes a tip having a tapered shape. Each drop-off ply extends from the first end to a respective position of the tip of the drop-off ply between the first end and the second end. The tips of the plurality of drop-off plies are arranged in a monotonically-inward pattern.