A rotor blade segment of a wind turbine includes a seamless leading edge surface. A method of manufacturing a rotor blade segment of a wind turbine, the rotor blade segment having a seamless leading edge surface, includes forming an outer skin of the rotor blade segment. The outer skin defines a continuous outer surface. The continuous outer surface includes a pressure side surface extending between a pressure side aft edge and a pressure side forward edge, a suction side surface extending between a suction side forward edge and a suction side aft edge, and the seamless leading edge surface extends between the pressure side forward edge and the suction side forward edge. After folding the outer skin, the pressure side surface is positioned opposite the suction side surface and the pressure side aft edge is proximate the suction side aft edge.

A folded panel includes a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) substrate with an outer layer secured to and at least partially covering one major surface thereof and a polymer matrix covering an opposite major surface thereof. In one embodiment, the FRP substrate is folded about a fold line to create opposed plies on either side of the fold line with the polymer matrix of one of the opposed plies contacting the polymer matrix of the other of the opposed plies and with the outer layer forming a folded edge at the fold line that is continuous with the outer layer covering the opposed plies, and the folded FRP substrate is then consolidated with the polymer matrix at a consolidation temperature that is between an activation temperature of the polymer matrix and a melting temperature of the outer layer.

A method for manufacturing a grid-stiffened structure includes: regularly arranging triangular or quadrangular cells on one surface of a sheet member and setting a lattice-like pattern which is provided with rib configuring regions, each of the rib configuring regions being provided between the cells; providing through-holes in positions in the sheet member, where the rib configuring regions intersect, so as to separate the rib configuring regions; forming ribs which protrude from the one surface of the sheet member by folding the rib configuring regions of the sheet member; and mutually connecting ends of the rib in a position of each of the through-holes.

A thin ribbon spirally wound polymer conduit and method of forming, wherein a helical reinforcing bead is interposed adjacent overlapping layers of ribbon. Further, a method of continuously forming spirally wound conduit wherein a sacrificial layer, preferably having a different base polymer to that of the conduit, is first applied to the former before the conduit is formed overtop.

A thin ribbon spirally wound polymer conduit and method of forming, wherein a helical reinforcing bead is interposed adjacent overlapping layers of ribbon. Further, a method of continuously forming spirally wound conduit wherein a sacrificial layer, preferably having a different base polymer to that of the conduit, is first applied to the former before the conduit is formed overtop.

A folded panel includes a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) substrate with an outer layer secured to and at least partially covering one major surface thereof and a polymer matrix covering an opposite major surface thereof. In one embodiment, the FRP substrate is folded about a fold line to create opposed plies on either side of the fold line with the polymer matrix of one of the opposed plies contacting the polymer matrix of the other of the opposed plies and with the outer layer forming a folded edge at the fold line that is continuous with the outer layer covering the opposed plies, and the folded FRP substrate is then consolidated with the polymer matrix. In another embodiment, a fiber or fibrous material substrate is positioned between the opposed plies and the combination of the folded FRP substrate and the fiber or fibrous substrate is consolidated with the polymer matrix.

A thin ribbon spirally wound polymer conduit and method of forming, wherein a helical reinforcing bead is interposed adjacent overlapping layers of ribbon. Further, a method of continuously forming spirally wound conduit wherein a sacrificial layer, preferably having a different base polymer to that of the conduit, is first applied to the former before the conduit is formed overtop.

A thin ribbon spirally wound polymer conduit and method of forming, wherein a helical reinforcing bead is interposed adjacent overlapping layers of ribbon. Further, a method of continuously forming spirally wound conduit wherein a sacrificial layer, preferably having a different base polymer to that of the conduit, is first applied to the former before the conduit is formed overtop.

The present invention relates to: a tubular medical device cleaning ball; and a manufacturing method therefor and, more specifically, to: a tubular medical device cleaning ball capable of cleaning a tubular medical device by being injected together with a cleaning solution without using a separate brush and the like in order to clean the tubular medical device inserted into the human body during minimally invasive surgery; and a manufacturing method therefor. To this end, the cleaning ball is manufactured as a sphere having surface roughness and a cavity therein.

A deployable Kiriform flexure includes first and second sections. The first section of the Kiriform flexure includes a plurality of curved fins arranged about a central axis. The second section of the Kiriform flexure includes a plurality of curved fins arranged about a central axis. Each fin of the second section is joined with a fin of the first section such that the first and second sections share a common central axis in a configuration that produces out-of-plane elastic buckling of the fins to actuate the Kiriform flexure from a substantially flat structure that extends substantially only in two dimensions orthogonal to the central axis to an expanded structure extending substantially in a third dimension parallel to the central axis when at least one of the first and second sections is rotated relative to the other section.