The present disclosure provides various aspects for mobile and automated processing utilizing additive manufacturing and the methods for their utilization and for making material dispensing element arrays for use of the additive manufacturing device.

The invention discloses a method of manufacturing a handrail assembly including steps of 1) providing a first material layer and a second material layer, wherein the second material layer is a hot melt material; 2) stacking the second material layer on the first material layer to form a substrate layer with an integrated structure; 3) curling the substrate layer to form a handrail cover matching a handrail tube, wherein the handrail cover is a sleeve structure and the second material layer is located at an inner side of the handrail cover; 4) inserting the handrail tube matching the handrail cover into the handrail cover to form a handrail assembly semi-finished product; 5) baking the handrail assembly semi-finished product until the second material layer is completely melted; and 6) cooling the handrail assembly semi-finished product after baking to form the handrail assembly.

The invention discloses a method of manufacturing a handrail assembly including steps of 1) providing a first material layer and a second material layer, wherein the second material layer is a hot melt material; 2) stacking the second material layer on the first material layer to form a substrate layer with an integrated structure; 3) curling the substrate layer to form a handrail cover matching a handrail tube, wherein the handrail cover is a sleeve structure and the second material layer is located at an inner side of the handrail cover; 4) inserting the handrail tube matching the handrail cover into the handrail cover to form a handrail assembly semi-finished product; 5) baking the handrail assembly semi-finished product until the second material layer is completely melted; and 6) cooling the handrail assembly semi-finished product after baking to form the handrail assembly.

A method of manufacturing a reinforced pipe (7) comprising: wrapping a pipe (1) in reinforcing tape (2) to form a wrapped pipe having an outer circumference consisting of a first circumferential portion (4) and a second circumferential portion (6); and passing the first circumferential portion (4) over one or more heating elements (3) to fuse the reinforcing tape (2) of said first circumferential portion (4); wherein: the first circumferential portion (4) is between 1% and 50% of the outer circumference; and the second circumferential portion (6) is not passed over a heating element (3) and is not fused. The method is advantageous in that it can provide reinforced pipes (7) in a simpler and cheaper way because it is not essential that the entirety of the outer circumference of the reinforced pipe (7) is fused. A reinforced pipe (7) produced according to the method of the present invention is also provided.

A film-application apparatus includes a body including a first body half, a second body half, and a hinge coupling the body halves; and a squeegee blade movable from a first position relative to the body to a second position relative to the body. The second body half is rotatable about the hinge relative to the first body half to a closed position. When the second body half is in the closed position, the body includes a top ring and a bottom ring both centered on an axis and defining an axial gap therebetween. When the second body half is in the closed position and the body is enclosing a sensor having a cylindrical sensor window, the axial gap exposes the cylindrical sensor window, and moving the squeegee blade from the first position to the second position covers substantially an entire surface area of the cylindrical sensor window.

An apparatus and method for consolidating a pipe that has been wrapped with reinforcing tape, is provided. The apparatus comprises two or more pipe consolidation devices, each having a first end, a second end, and comprising: first and second support members arranged at the first end and having a gap therebetween; and an optional third support member at the second end. Each device further comprises a peripheral band that extends around the first, second, and optionally the third support members and is substantially unsupported in the gap between the first and second support members. The apparatus additionally comprises a mounting plate having a central aperture, and two or more of the devices mounted on the mounting plate such that the first end of each device is arranged bearing against a pipe extending through the central aperture. A method of manufacturing reinforced pipe is also provided.

An apparatus and method for consolidating a pipe that has been wrapped with reinforcing tape, is provided. The apparatus comprises two or more pipe consolidation devices, each having a first end, a second end, and comprising: first and second support members arranged at the first end and having a gap therebetween; and an optional third support member at the second end. Each device further comprises a peripheral band that extends around the first, second, and optionally the third support members and is substantially unsupported in the gap between the first and second support members. The apparatus additionally comprises a mounting plate having a central aperture, and two or more of the devices mounted on the mounting plate such that the first end of each device is arranged bearing against a pipe extending through the central aperture. A method of manufacturing reinforced pipe is also provided.

A preparation method of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based membrane for preventing and removing ices covering wind turbine blades is provided and the method comprises: preparing a membrane into a PTFE rod material with polymerized monomers by using monomer polymerization methods such as blending, pre-compressing and pushing; making the membrane into a PTFE-based homogeneous membrane with micropores and nano and micron scale concave-convex geometrical ultra-structure morphologies under the condition that the membrane is cracked to generate a laminar exfoliated fabric-like structure in the hot calendaring process of the PTFE rod material by using a hot calendaring and fusion polymerization method; and applying the PTFE-based homogeneous membrane to blades of a large wind turbine in operation.

A preparation method of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-based membrane for preventing and removing ices covering wind turbine blades is provided and the method comprises: preparing a membrane into a PTFE rod material with polymerized monomers by using monomer polymerization methods such as blending, pre-compressing and pushing; making the membrane into a PTFE-based homogeneous membrane with micropores and nano and micron scale concave-convex geometrical ultra-structure morphologies under the condition that the membrane is cracked to generate a laminar exfoliated fabric-like structure in the hot calendaring process of the PTFE rod material by using a hot calendaring and fusion polymerization method; and applying the PTFE-based homogeneous membrane to blades of a large wind turbine in operation.

A passivating flexible insulation blanket positionable about a pipe includes an insulation core, an enclosing fabric, and a non-consumable passivator. The insulation core is substantially hydrophobic and includes a microporous material. The enclosing fabric fully encapsulates the insulation core to form a capsule or pouch about the insulation core. The non-consumable passivator is non-consumable such that there is no appreciable change to a mass of the non-consumable passivator after an extended time of activation. The non-consumable passivator is deposited into the insulation core and has a composition soluble in water. The non-consumable passivator includes a leachable component that leaches from the insulation core and is capable of neutralizing acidic components. The leachable component is water soluble and is capable of reacting with a surface of the pipe to form a protective coating on the pipe to aid in inhibiting corrosion formation on the surface of the pipe.