A core mold component defining a lower surface of the injection mold set corresponding to the lower surface of the annular component is heated to a base temperature. A cavity mold component defining the upper surface of the injection mold set corresponding to the Class A surface of the annular component is heated to a higher temperature than the base temperature. Faces of two streams of metallic resin, including the metallic resin flakes, injected into the mold set are caused to come together at the knit line. Metallic resin flakes are caused to flow into inboard and outboard overflow cavity through respective inboard and outboard gates positioned adjacent the knit line.

The present disclosure refers to the manufacturing process of an aperture surrounding frame for an aircraft fuselage. The method includes providing a tubular braiding material (2) with a perimeter equal to the perimeter of the frame to be manufactured, cutting the tubular braiding material (2) to obtain annular-shaped braiding slices (3), providing an annular-shaped inner mold (4) where the annular-shaped inner mold has a surface with a desired shape for the aperture surrounding frame, layering up at least one braiding slice (3) around the inner mold (4), forming the at least one braiding slice (3) around the inner mold (4), and curing the aperture surrounding frame pre-form. The present disclosure also refers to an aperture surrounding frame (1) for an aircraft fuselage formed as a continuous body by at least one annular-shaped braiding slice (3) with a perimeter equal to the perimeter of the desired aperture surrounding frame.

Preforms for use in fiber-reinforced composites, fiber-reinforced composites, and methods for making thereof are disclosed. One method includes interweaving a plurality of warp yarns with a single weft yarn so as to form a tubular woven structure with a central axis. The preform can be woven using an endless or tubular weaving technique, and can be woven so as to have two or more diameters along a length thereof. The preform can include one or more layers of a fabric formed on or attached to one or both surfaces of the tubular woven structure. The end structure can be a part of a window frame, a wheel rim, or a combustor in a jet engine.

Disclosed is an apparatus, a kit, and a method for repairing a sump wall pipe fitting. The apparatus may comprise first and second fitting halves for repairing a penetration fitting for a sump wall, the fitting halves having a semi-annular flange with a seal plate adapted to be sealed to the sump wall; at least one semi-cylindrical cuff that extends axially outward from surface of the semi-annular flange opposite the seal plate; and a semi-annular rib that extends radially inward from the semi-annular flange spaced at a distance between the seal plate and a rim of the at least one semi-cylindrical cuff. A dispensed bonder may also be included.

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.

A method for manufacturing a ring-shaped frame made from composite material includes slipping at least one tubular casing of dry fibers over an assembly having at least two coaxial sub-assemblies axially movable relative to one another and between which a peripheral groove is defined. The assembly is disposed in the general plane of the frame. A portion of the tubular casing is forced into the groove and the two sub-assemblies are tightened so as to hold a portion of the tubular casing in the groove. Two parts of the casing that are outside the groove are coupled, and the obtained coupling is folded onto one of the two sub-assemblies in order to obtain a preform of dry fibers. The preform is solidified by polymerization.

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.

A structure for and method of producing large diameter seal rings. Preferred embodiments of the present invention make use of a co-extruded support layer of a polymer showing better weld quality and strength. The use of a co-extruded support polymer bonded to the functional polymer can be used to improve the strength of the entire weld, including the weld of functional polymer layer.

A method for manufacturing a ring-shaped frame made from composite material includes slipping at least one tubular casing of dry fibers over an assembly having at least two coaxial sub-assemblies axially movable relative to one another and between which a peripheral groove is defined. The assembly is disposed in the general plane of the frame. A portion of the tubular casing is forced into the groove and the two sub-assemblies are tightened so as to hold a portion of the tubular casing in the groove. Two parts of the casing that are outside the groove are coupled, and the obtained coupling is folded onto one of the two sub-assemblies in order to obtain a preform of dry fibers. The preform is solidified by polymerisation.

A vented finger ring and its method of manufacture are provided. The vented ring includes an outer ring portion, an inner ring portion, and an anti-stretch element positioned between the outer ring portion and the inner ring portion. The inner ring portion includes lateral grooves connected to inner grooves, the connected lateral grooves and inner grooves forming at least one fluid conduit from a first side of the vented ring to a second side of the vented ring. The method includes injecting a first material into a first mold to form an outer ring portion, injecting a second material into a second mold to form an inner ring portion, and positioning an anti-stretch element between the outer ring portion and the inner ring portion. The second mold includes at least one feature on a surface thereof, the at least one feature corresponding to connected lateral grooves and inner grooves on an inner surface of the inner ring portion.