A method for fabricating a hybrid transparent composite structure includes providing a metallic insert and a transparent composite preform including reinforcing fibers and transparent resin; heating the transparent composite preform; and arranging the metallic insert and the transparent composite preform in a mold and applying at least one of heat and pressure to form the hybrid transparent composite structure. At least a portion of the transparent composite preform is not obscured by the metallic insert and allows viewing through the hybrid transparent composite structure.

A sabot petal is described herein comprising a plurality of woven axial and undulated fibers angled to transfer setback loads. In some cases, the petal is a one-piece component configured to be positioned around a long rod projectile or other aerostructures or aeroshell shapes to be launched with in a gun bore, or rocket or missile launch tube. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to articles that provide less sag. In some examples, the articles can include a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer core layer comprising reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic polymer, and a frim disposed on the fiber reinforced polymer core layer. In certain examples, the frim comprises a film coupled to a scrim comprising an effective basis weight to prevent substantial sag of the article, e.g., during a forming operation.

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to articles that provide less sag. In some examples, the articles can include a fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer core layer comprising reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic polymer, and a frim disposed on the fiber reinforced polymer core layer. In certain examples, the frim comprises a film coupled to a scrim comprising an effective basis weight to prevent substantial sag of the article, e.g., during a forming operation.

A method of manufacturing a synthetic tissue model using one or more semi-flexible polymers or resin with at least one embedded mesh material is provided herein. The model provides suitable simulation of animal tissue designed to mimic tissue stiffness through varying the polymerization to simulate tissue stiffness level. Multiple polymers or multiple layers of polymer possessing different polymerization levels can be used to simulate tissues with different layers, such as skin. A mesh incorporated in the model provides durability, and can simulate layers of tissue through selection of the mesh material. A skin model using silicone-like material with a nylon tulle mesh was used to simulate skin for surgical procedures. The nylon tulle mesh increased resistance to tearing over time, due to insertion of surgical tools, thereby increasing usable life of the model and enhancing training as the model simulated skin for longer periods of time.

A solenoid valve device may include a rod pin; a cylindrical core comprising a magnetic material and arranged around the rod pin; a bobbin comprising resin and arranged to cover a side surface of the cylindrical core; a coil wound around the bobbin; a case comprising a bottom and being cylindrical and having an opening at one axial end thereof, and arranged to accommodate the rod pin, the cylindrical core, the bobbin, and the coil; a nozzle comprising resin and attached to a case opening portion defined at the one axial end of the case; a first a second port each defined in the nozzle; a valve body arranged in the nozzle, and structured to be driven by the rod pin to open or close a communication between the first and second ports; and a tubular metal cover arranged to cover a lateral surface of the nozzle.

A vehicle skin, such as a composite skin for a UAV wing or other vehicle component, is co-cured with an array of solar cells to form a thin, lightweight, integrated skin structure. In one embodiment, an upper surface of the solar-cell array may be substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the composite skin. A coating, such as a spray-on fluorinated polymer coating, is applied to the upper surface of the integrated skin structure to protect the solar cells from the environment or other potentially harmful elements.

A wrinkle mitigation system includes at least one tooling rod disposed against a tool surface at a location on the tool where a composite ply is configured to overlap the tooling rod. The tooling rod may has an elongated shape and is generally oriented along a direction of wrinkle formation in the composite ply. The tooling rod has a rod width that results in the composite ply assuming a corrugated shape when compaction pressure is applied to the composite ply.

An electrofusion coupling member made of a thermoplastic substance having aluminum particles incorporated therein and further comprising an electric resistance heating element disposed therein, an electrofusion coupler device which includes the same, and a method for welding the device to other thermoplastic objects are provided herein.

An electrofusion coupling member made of a thermoplastic substance having aluminum particles incorporated therein and further comprising an electric resistance heating element disposed therein, an electrofusion coupler device which includes the same, and a method for welding the device to other thermoplastic objects are provided herein.