Thermoset ceramic compositions and a method of preparation of such compositions. The compositions are advanced organic/inorganic hybrid composite polymer ceramic alloys. The material combines strength, hardness and high temperature performance of technical ceramics with the strength, ductility, thermal shock resistance, density, and easy processing of the polymer. Consisting of a branched backbone of silicon, and alumina, with highly coordinated Si—O—Si or Al—O—Al bonds, the material undergoes sintering at 7 to 300 centigrade for 2 to 94 hours from water at a pH between 0 to 14, humidity of 0 to 100%, with or without vaporous solvents.

Systems and methods for making and/or using a hybrid laminate composite tube structure. The methods comprise: wrapping a plurality of lamina layers around a male cylindrical tool (e.g., mandrel); treating the lamina layers with heat/pressure to form the hybrid laminate composite tube structure; and assembling a structure by adhesively bonding the hybrid laminate composite tube structure to a metallic fitting. The lamina layers comprise: at least one first lamina layer formed of a first material having a first CTE; and at least one second lamina layer formed of a second material different from the first material and having a second CTE different than the first CTE. The hybrid laminate composite tube structure has at least one property that is different in the axial direction than the hoop direction. An axial CTE of the hybrid laminate composite tube structure is tailored to provide a net zero CTE for the assembled structure.

Systems and methods for making and/or using a hybrid laminate composite tube structure. The methods comprise: wrapping a plurality of lamina layers around a male cylindrical tool (e.g., mandrel); treating the lamina layers with heat/pressure to form the hybrid laminate composite tube structure; and assembling a structure by adhesively bonding the hybrid laminate composite tube structure to a metallic fitting. The lamina layers comprise: at least one first lamina layer formed of a first material having a first CTE; and at least one second lamina layer formed of a second material different from the first material and having a second CTE different than the first CTE. The hybrid laminate composite tube structure has at least one property that is different in the axial direction than the hoop direction. An axial CTE of the hybrid laminate composite tube structure is tailored to provide a net zero CTE for the assembled structure.

A tire vulcanizing method comprises: a step of causing a connecting body, at which an upper mold of a vulcanization mold is supported and that connects together upper end portions of upper tubes of a plurality of supporting pillars, the supporting pillars being disposed so as to be apart in a peripheral direction at a periphery of the vulcanization mold, which is formed from a lower mold and the upper mold, which is set above the lower mold, and the supporting pillars having lower tubes that are hollow and the upper tubes, which are hollow and are slidably engaged with the lower tubes, and the supporting pillars extending in a vertical direction, to, together with the upper tubes and the upper mold, approach the lower mold, and close the vulcanization mold; and a step of vulcanizing an unvulcanized tire that is accommodated at an interior of the vulcanization mold that is closed, wherein the causing the connecting body, the upper tubes and the upper mold to approach the lower mold is carried out by operating raising/lowering mechanisms that are accommodated at interiors of the supporting pillars.

A method for molding a composite pressure vessel liner to secure a boss to the liner is described. The method comprises providing a moldable liner having an end section with a neck and a port. A boss is positioned around the neck of the liner and the liner is heated and pressure is applied to mold the liner to form to the shape of the boss. The angle of the molded liner secures the boss in place around the liner and it is able to withstand high pressures. A tool for molding the liner and a method for using the tool is also described. The tool comprises a tool body and a pipe having external threads. The tool body abuts the liner and the boss. Winding the pipe exerts pressure on the liner, which when heated, forces the liner to mold to the shape of the boss.

A production method for a shaped object includes preparing a formable resin sheet that includes a base made from a resin, and a thermally expansive layer provided on a first side of the base and containing a thermally expandable material, a thermal conversion layer forming step of forming a thermal conversion layer that contains an electromagnetic wave heat conversion material that converts electromagnetic waves to heat on a first side of the formable resin sheet, an electrically conductive layer forming step of forming an electrically conductive layer on a second side of the formable resin sheet, and an irradiating step of, after forming the thermal conversion layer and the electrically conductive layer, irradiating the thermal conversion layer with the electromagnetic waves to cause the thermal expansive layer to distend and cause the base to deform in accordance with the distension of the thermal expansive layer. The thermal conversion layer and the electrically conductive layer are formed such that at least a portion of the electrically conductive layer is opposite at least a portion of the thermal conversion layer, with the base and the thermally expansive layer interposed therebetween.

In a tire vulcanization device,a vertical position of a container ring is locked at a closed position by a lock mechanism. A pressurizing mechanism is operated so as to decrease a vertical gap between an upper plate and a lower plate. The lower plate is moved upward so that a segment is moved toward a center mechanism by a container ring and sector molds are assembled in an annular shape. A state where a predetermined vertical gap is formed between the container ring and a bolster plate by a vertical connection mechanism is created. An upper side mold disposed on a lower surface of the upper plate is closed by being pressed against an upper surface of each of the sector molds while maintaining a state where the sector molds are assembled in an annular shape.

There is provided an automated lamination system for embedding printed electronic element(s) in a composite structure. The automated lamination system includes a supply of composite prepreg material, a layup tool assembly, and a modified automated lamination apparatus laying up layer(s) of the composite prepreg material on the layup tool assembly, to form the composite structure. The modified automated lamination apparatus includes a section preparation pre-printing apparatus preparing section(s) on a top surface of a top layer of the layer(s), to obtain prepared section(s), and includes a non-contact direct write printing apparatus mechanically coupled to the section preparation pre-printing apparatus, and includes one or more supplies of electronic element materials, printed with the non-contact direct write printing apparatus, on each of the prepared section(s), to obtain the printed electronic element(s), that are embedded in the composite structure. The automated lamination system further includes a control system and a power system.

There is provided an automated lamination system for embedding printed electronic element(s) in a composite structure. The automated lamination system includes a supply of composite prepreg material, a layup tool assembly, and a modified automated lamination apparatus laying up layer(s) of the composite prepreg material on the layup tool assembly, to form the composite structure. The modified automated lamination apparatus includes a section preparation pre-printing apparatus preparing section(s) on a top surface of a top layer of the layer(s), to obtain prepared section(s), and includes a non-contact direct write printing apparatus mechanically coupled to the section preparation pre-printing apparatus, and includes one or more supplies of electronic element materials, printed with the non-contact direct write printing apparatus, on each of the prepared section(s), to obtain the printed electronic element(s), that are embedded in the composite structure. The automated lamination system further includes a control system and a power system.

A mold for forming a flange of a wind turbine blade comprising a first flange portion including a plurality of lamina and having a generally planar shape and a second perpendicular flange including a plurality of lamina. A plurality of copper wires are disposed within the lamina for conducting heat delivered from a base portion through the first and second flange portions. The mold is free of fluid conduits with the flange portions moveable relative to the base portion.