A method of providing an edge seal along a longitudinal edge of an add-on part mounted on the outer surface of a rotor blade is provided. The method includes determining a height at the longitudinal edge of the add-on part, choosing a width for the edge seal to be applied on the rotor blade surface, wherein the width of the edge seal is chosen to exceed the height at the longitudinal edge of the add-on part by a factor of at least twenty; and forming the edge seal by applying a sealant material to the rotor blade surface at least in a volume defined by the height at the longitudinal edge of the add-on part and the chosen edge seal width.

A method of providing an edge seal along a longitudinal edge of an add-on part mounted on the outer surface of a rotor blade is provided. The method includes determining a height at the longitudinal edge of the add-on part, choosing a width for the edge seal to be applied on the rotor blade surface, wherein the width of the edge seal is chosen to exceed the height at the longitudinal edge of the add-on part by a factor of at least twenty; and forming the edge seal by applying a sealant material to the rotor blade surface at least in a volume defined by the height at the longitudinal edge of the add-on part and the chosen edge seal width.

A method and system for dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus is provided. The material initially comprises or is manipulated to comprise a low viscosity. The material either can comprise a curable material or can comprise initiators, which can be activated to raise the viscosity at a later time and position. The low viscosity material is moved through the delivery apparatus for a relatively long distance using low energy. Upon nearing an end use application, the material and/or initiators can be activated by a curing agent, such as a light or heat source, such that the viscosity of the material be raised prior to the end use application thereof. Therefore, the present invention provides a method and system for moving a material normally having a higher viscosity a long distance requiring lower energy and pressure.

A method and system for dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus is provided. The material initially comprises or is manipulated to comprise a low viscosity. The material either can comprise a curable material or can comprise initiators, which can be activated to raise the viscosity at a later time and position. The low viscosity material is moved through the delivery apparatus for a relatively long distance using low energy. Upon nearing an end use application, the material and/or initiators can be activated by a curing agent, such as a light or heat source, such that the viscosity of the material be raised prior to the end use application thereof. Therefore, the present invention provides a method and system for moving a material normally having a higher viscosity a long distance requiring lower energy and pressure.

Presently disclosed systems and methods for depositing a compound into a void in a sandwich panel are configured to reduce the air pressure in and around the void as the compound flows into the void, thereby reducing the amount of air trapped between the compound and the sandwich panel skin within the void during the repair. Systems may include a dispenser for holding the compound, a vacuum canister, and a valve operable to allow the compound to flow from the dispenser, through at least a portion of the vacuum canister, and into the void. After the compound flows into the void, the system is configured to apply ambient air pressure to the compound and the void, before the compound is allowed to harden or cure. Some such systems are pre-filled with the compound, and/or configured to be disposable after a single use.

Presently disclosed systems and methods for depositing a compound into a void in a sandwich panel or other structure are configured to reduce the air pressure in and around the void as the compound flows into the void, thereby reducing the amount of air trapped between the compound and the sandwich panel skin (under the compound, within the void) during the repair. Additionally or alternatively, presently disclosed systems and methods for deaerating a compound are configured to remove trapped air from the compound prior to use of the compound (e.g., prior to depositing the compound within a void for repairing the void). In some examples, the same system is configured to both deaerate the compound and deposit the deaerated compound to the void, all while in a reduced air pressure environment inside a vacuum chamber.

A system for the repair or reinforcement of a pipeline includes a casing having a dimension to envelope a damaged portion of the pipeline, such that a space is defined between an inner surface of the casing and an outer periphery of the pipeline. An injection port is positioned along the casing and is in selective communication with the space. A cap assembly is frictionally attached to the casing and the pipeline, after which time an injectable material is selectively injected through the injection port until filling a substantial entirety of the space.

A submersible mixing and sampling apparatus with submersible supply systems (12, 14) for first and second liquid components such as a thermoset resin and a curing agent is disclosed. Each supply system has a respective submersible tank (24) for holding a respective one of the liquid components. Submersible mixers (46, 48, 50) downstream of the supply systems mix the liquid components underwater to form a curable mixture for injection into a subsea chamber such as a tee (102). Submersible sampling devices downstream of the mixers take samples (94) of the mixture underwater before, during and after injection, and optionally also at the surface. The samples may be cured and tested underwater or may be lifted to the surface for testing. The apparatus may be mounted on a subsea skid (100) or basket.

ABTRACT

The present invention relates to a liquid, thermoplastic acrylic gel cap composition that can impart UV resistance, higher impact, and aesthetic effects to a composite material. Additionally, the post processing of the material when combined with a thermoplastic composite can allow for thermoformability, weldability and recyclability, unlike seen with traditional thermoset based gel coats.

Embodiments of the invention allow performing an additive manufacturing process using a base object. Some embodiments enable placement of a three-dimensional base object inside a three-dimensional printer and print on the base object to produce a three-dimensional product. One exemplary embodiment is a method including: obtaining a representation of a three-dimensional physical object as a base object; obtaining a representation of a three-dimensional physical object as a product producible by adding layers of material on the base object. A representation of a support structure configured to retain the base object position within an additive manufacturing apparatus is determined, and the support structure is produced using an additive manufacturing process. Alternatively, a representation of an on-object structure determined and the on-object structure is produced using an additive manufacturing process by adding one or more layers of material on the base object.