Patent classifications
B29C35/0227
Methods and Apparatus for Curing Composite Nacelle Structure
Methods and apparatus for curing curved cylinder-like workpieces (e.g., in the shape of a half or full barrel) made of composite material, such as nacelle honeycomb core composite sandwich structures. These methods enable tailored curing of composite nacelle structures, to significantly reduce capital cost and fabrication cycle time. In lieu of an autoclave or oven, a pressurized ring-shaped cure volume is defined by a partitioned enclosure that mimics the cylinder-like shape of the composite nacelle structure with only limited clearance (e.g., a partitioned enclosure comprising inner and outer concentric cylinder-like walls). A tool (e.g., a mandrel) and at least one composite nacelle structure supported thereon are placed in the cure volume for curing. Integrally heated tooling, optionally in combination with other heating methods, such as infrared heaters, is utilized to provide the temperature profile necessary for cure.
Composite failsafe torque tube
A method for forming a composite article includes adding an upper skin at least partially over a failsafe torque tube. The failsafe torque tube includes an inner tube and an outer tube. The method also includes adding a lower skin at least partially under the failsafe torque tube. The upper skin, the lower skin, and the outer tube are made of a composite material. The method also includes co-curing the upper skin, the lower skin, and the outer tube together to produce the composite article.
Water based urethane as predip for carbon fiber cord
Methods of manufacturing a belt include laying up a first elastomeric layer of a belt build on a mandrel, laying up a tensile reinforcement layer on the first elastomeric layer, where the tensile reinforcement layer contains cords coated with a water based urethane compound, and laying up a second elastomeric layer on the first elastomeric layer and the tensile reinforcement layer. The belt build may be cured in a profile-forming mold, and afterward, cut to a predetermined belt width and/or length.
Portable Curing System
A method and apparatus for curing a composite workpiece to form a part. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise an object, a portable structure, and a heating system. The object may have a shape selected for a part. The portable structure may comprise a retaining structure configured to hold the object. The retaining structure may have a first side and a second side. The heating system may be configured to cover the object at the first side of the retaining structure and the second side of the retaining structure. The heating system may be further configured to generate heat for use in curing a workpiece placed over the object to form the part.
Airflow in autoclaves
A method and system are presented. The system comprises a plurality of baffles positioned to split an airflow from a door of an autoclave into a counter-rotating flow pattern.
Safety system for autoclaves
A system for making an autoclave inert such that flame propagation is prevented in the event of spontaneous internal combustion, which thus prevents damaging the actual system or equipment, tools and parts, for which it essentially has sodium azide capsules which produce a chemical reaction when they reach an activation temperature, releasing nitrogen, making the chamber inert, venting equipment to prevent damage due to overpressure inside the chamber when the capsules have come into action and released the gas, a main cooling circuit and an additional cooling circuit for the capsules, all of this automatically controlled and managed by a control device.
High straightness arrow and method of manufacture
The high straightness arrow in the present invention is designed to improve the straightness of the archery arrow by adopting new manufacturing technique and method. Chamber and post are made of dissimilar metals and the chamber includes a wall that creates an external housing and defines an internal airspace. Once the post with shaft is positioned through chamber, nuts are tightened securely, forming an assembly, to straighten post. Due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion of chamber and post, when they are heated simultaneously, the chamber expands more than the post, creating a natural tension along post which results in a near perfectly straight shaft. As the assembly cools, the post and chamber return to their original length, yet the shaft retains its straightened form and thus this manufacturing process yields an arrow shaft that is straighter than shafts made of the same materials but with a traditional manufacturing technique.
Conveyor Roller Surface Arrangements
A surface arrangement for a conveyor roller adapted for use in a conveyor system configured to support and move a conveyor medium, and a conveyor roller incorporating same. The surface arrangement has a cylindrical rotatable supporting surface, at least one shear stop member extending outwardly from the rotatable supporting surface, at least one lagging member positioned on the rotatable supporting surface, and a bond between the at least one lagging member and the rotatable supporting surface. The at least one lagging member is positioned on the rotatable supporting surface, with at least a portion of one end of the at least one lagging member abutting at least a portion of the side surface of the at least one shear stop member. The at least one shear stop member is adapted to resist movement of the at least one abutting lagging member in at least one direction along the circumference of the rotatable supporting surface to reduce a shear force exerted on the bond when the conveyor roller is in use. Methods of making and repairing the surface arrangement are also disclosed.
VULCANISED TUBE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A VULCANISED TUBE
Vulcanized tube having at least one foamed layer of elastomer material with a cellular structure with an average cell size in a range between 5 and 200 microns and the number of cells per unit of volume in a range between 1.9?10.sup.5 and 1.4?10.sup.9 cells/cm.sup.3. To form the tube, a forming device is inserted into an unvulcanized tube obtained in a prior initial stage of extrusion. At least one foaming agent is added to the elastomer material of the foamed layer in the initial stage of extrusion, such that the tube is vulcanized and the foamed layer is also simultaneously foamed. The vulcanizing process is carried out under pressure. Finally, in a stage of removal, the already vulcanized and foamed tube is removed from the forming device.
ONE-PIECE GUNSTOCK OF ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIAL FOR FIREARM AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
A one-piece gunstock for firearm and the relevant manufacturing method are described, said one-piece gunstock being composed of a frame (1) having two half-shells (1a, 1b) extended longitudinally and defining a recess inside the frame (1), a plurality of seats (31,32) and a space (42) for housing respective mechanical components formed between said half-shells and delimited by a transversal structural connection element (33) of said half-shells (1a, 1b), characterized in that said half-shells (1a, 1b) and said transversal connection element (33) are made in a single piece of an advanced composite material by a vacuum-bag moulding technology.