Composite tubes comprising a compression sleeve coupled to an inner surface of a composite tube, a carbon extrusion member disposed within the composite tube, and an end fitting comprising a locking feature, wherein the end fitting is coupled to an inner surface of the compression sleeve and the locking feature is configured to engage the carbon extrusion member are disclosed. Methods comprising coupling a compression sleeve to an inner surface of a distal end of a composite tube, placing a carbon extrusion member inside the compression sleeve and the composite tube, and disposing an end fitting on the distal end of the composite tube, wherein the end fitting comprises a locking feature configured to interact with the carbon extrusion member are also disclosed.

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 method for the production of a photovoltaic module comprising back-contact solar cells. A lower encapsulating layer, followed by an alignment and an application of the lower encapsulating layer to the inner surface of the back-contact back-sheet. The lower encapsulating layer, comprises a lower surface facing the back-contact back-sheet and an upper surface opposite the lower surface. The method includes adhesion of one or more predetermined portions of the lower surface of the encapsulating layer to the back-contact back-sheet, having each portion a predetermined superficial area which is lower than the total area of the lower surface of the lower encapsulating layer. The adhesion of the lower encapsulating layer is followed by the application of the lower encapsulating layer to the back-contact back-sheet.

A method for manufacturing a thin film structural system including a thin film structure includes depositing a reinforcing material in a liquid form in a predefined pattern on a thin film membrane, and transforming the reinforcing material in the predefined pattern to form a reinforcing element connected to the thin film membrane. The reinforcing material may be deposited in a melted form and solidified by cooling, may be transformed by a light or laser induced chemical reaction, or may be deposited and solidified such that the reinforcing element is at least partially embedded in the thin film membrane. The predefined pattern may redistribute loads around a damaged portion of the thin film structure, or define a hinge, a folding line, a stiffening feature. The reinforcing element may be electrically, optically or thermally conductive, to communicate with a device included in the system. The system may be a space structure.

A rotatable self-lam for attachment to an elongate object can be made by variations to conventional self-lams. In some forms, the rotatable self-lam can be made by folding a portion of the head end of the self-lam onto itself to provide an adhesive-free length which is first wrapped around the elongate object during marker application. In other forms, a bifurcated release liner can have a portion proximate the head end of the marker which can be removed to help template or accommodate the fold to create the adhesive-free length or can have a portion proximate the head end which is retained when the portion proximate the tail end is removed such that the retained portion of the release liner provides an adhesive-free surface during application.

According to the invention there is provided a composite article including: a textile layer having a first and a second face, each of the first and second faces having a polymeric coating thereon; a first polymeric layer adhered to the polymeric coating on the first face of the textile layer; and a second polymeric layer adhered to the polymeric coating on the second face of the textile layer; in which the polymeric coatings on the first and second faces of the textile layer are each formed by polymerizing a polymeric precursor which includes a group of sub-formula (I) where R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from (CR.sup.7R.sup.8)n, or a group CR.sup.9R.sup.10, CR.sup.7R.sup.8CR.sup.9R.sup.10 or CR.sup.9R.sup.10CR.sup.7R.sup.8 where n is 0, 1 or 2, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are independently selected from hydrogen, halo or hydrocarbyl, and either One of R.sup.9 or R.sup.10 is hydrogen and the other is an electron withdrawing group, or R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 together form an electron withdrawing group, and R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from CH or CR.sup.11 where R.sup.11 is an electron withdrawing group, the dotted lines indicate the presence or absence of a bond, X.sup.1 is a group CX.sup.2X.sup.3 where the dotted line bond to which it is attached is absent and a group CX.sup.2 where the dotted line bond to which it is attached is present, Y.sup.1 is a group CY.sup.2Y.sup.3 where the dotted line bond to which it is attached is absent and a group CY.sup.2 where the dotted line bond to which it is attached is present, and X.sup.2, X.sup.3, Y.sup.2 and Y.sup.3 are independently selected from hydrogen, fluorine or other substituents, R.sup.1 is selected from hydrogen, halo, nitro, hydrocarbyl, optionally substituted or interposed with functional groups, or formula (II), and R.sup.13 is C(0) or S(0).sub.2.

A composite material comprises of at least first and second layers, each comprising a polymeric matrix material and wound tows for reinforcement. The tows are wound in opposite directions in each of the first and second layers such that overlapping tows form crossover regions. The wound tows in the second layer are arranged such that the crossover regions are formed to be laterally offset from the crossover regions in the first layer.

A composite ballistic panel provides cost-effective ballistic protection against projectiles. The composite ballistic panel comprises a composite ballistic assembly with an impact/strip layer that alters the projectile during striking contact with the projectile by flattening the projectile, distorting the shape of the projectile, reducing rotation of the projectile, reducing the velocity of the projectile, and inducing yaw to the projectile; a non-ballistic deflection layer that forms a cavity to inhibit propagation of the projectile's shock wave; and a containment layer that stops and captures the projectile within the composite ballistic assembly. Additionally, the composite ballistic panel may have a protection layer and a boundary edge to enhance capture of the projectile and ballistic characteristics, and an intermediate layer that acts as spacer between layers.

A sheet processing device separates a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and partially bonded and sandwich a sheet medium between the two sheets. The sheet processing device includes a relay conveyance path, a sheet loader, and control circuitry. The sheet medium is fed from an image forming apparatus connected upstream of the sheet processing device through the relay conveyance path. The sheet loader loads at least one of the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium. The control circuitry performs a mixing mode to feed the two-ply sheet or the sheet medium from the sheet loader.

A fitting attachable to a cross-laminated panel provides a chase, plumbing space, airflow duct, or wiring route on an edge of the cross-laminated panel. The fitting may run between edges of multiple cross-laminated panels that contain integral hollow members, forming a customizable network of contiguous coplanar routing paths, accessible without installing pipes and wires behind, or in front of the cross-laminated panels. The fitting may also provide a vertical chase for single or multiple cross-laminated panels. The fitting takes advantage of one or more hollow members in the cross-laminated panels to provide contiguous routing paths for wires, pipes, and venting within the cross-laminated panels themselves, extending across any layout of multiple cross-laminated panels. The fitting may additionally serve as mechanical support for attachment of adjacent panels. Further, the fitting may provide structural connection for the CLT panels as required to meet structural code requirements for the building.