The pipe includes at least one tubular sheath delimiting a passage for circulation of the abrasive material, at least one tensile armor layer externally positioned with respect to the tubular sheath, the armor layer including a plurality of filiform armor elements. It further includes a protective internal layer positioned inside the tubular sheath in the circulation passage, the protective internal layer including an elastomeric matrix and a longitudinal reinforcement assembly embedded in the matrix.

An underwater pipe and connector assembly includes an underwater pipe having a pipe body and an annular connecting end section, a connector fixed in the connecting end section, and at least one reinforcing layer having a first fixed cover section fused to and fixedly covering the connecting end section, and a second fixed cover section fused to and fixedly covering an outer circumferential surface of the pipe body immediately adjacent the connecting end section. An outer coil is embedded between the first fixed cover section and the connecting end section and between the second fixed cover section and the outer circumferential surface of the pipe body immediately adjacent the connecting end section.

A high altitude balloon, including a method and machine for manufacture, uses a perimeter border strip to couple two circular balloon panels with a lap or butt seal. Simultaneous sealing of two perimeter seals, one between the border strip and each of two balloon panels, is provided by supporting stacked balloon panels on a rotatable support and sealing around the full perimeter of the two interposed balloon panels and the border strip. The method and machine for manufacture allow for the mass production of high altitude balloons and minimize necessary material handling. The perimeter border strip can be dispensed and guided relative to the perimeter of the balloon panels for positioning before sealing together, as a bonding device is rotated relative to the balloon envelope.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to techniques for manufacturing a balloon envelope. In one example, a first sheet of material for a first gore of the balloon envelope is provided. Lap seal material is arranged at least partially on the first sheet of material. A first heat seal is created between the lap seal material and the first sheet of material. A second sheet of material for a second gore of the balloon envelope is arranged over the first heat seal. A second heat seal is created between the lap seal material and the second sheet of material such that the lap seal material is configured to provide additional structural support to the balloon envelope.

A turf joining system i ncluding a first piece and second piece of a synthetic turf and a bridge support. The first and second pieces have side edges which are closely adjacent each other. The bridge support heat welds to the overlying first and second pieces to form an elongated first heat weld and elongated second heat weld each proximate and spaced from the respective side edge to define a water channel therebetween. A method of sealing a plurality of synthetic turf pieces together is disclosed.

A method for connecting two duct sections having an outer layer of thermoplastic material and an inner layer of foam, and duct produced by the method. The method entails the use of thermoplastic material to form at least one flange in the finished duct. The thermoplastic material may be a portion of the outer thermoplastic layer of the duct section or it may be made, in-situ, from a separate strip or strips of thermoplastic material. In the latter case, a strip of thermoplastic material may be fashioned into a sleeve in which the ends of the duct sections reside or a separate strip may be securely fastened to each of the ends of each of the duct sections. In the latter case, a portion of the strip extends radially outwardly and a belly band or the like is positioned over the radially outwardly extending portion of the strip and tightened to bring them together and seal the interface between the ends of the duct sections.

A method for repairing rivet tape includes steps of cutting portions of the rivet tape on each side of a break to define at least three aligned coplanar rivet tape edges, abutting the at least three aligned coplanar rivet tape edges to define a seam, and joining the at least three aligned coplanar rivet tape edges to one another. The seam may define a Z shape. One or more rivets may be removed to expose rivet apertures on each side of the break before the steps of cutting, abutting, and joining. The step of joining is accomplished by at least one adhesive strip disposed on a surface of the rivet tape and dimensioned to overlie the at least one or more exposed rivet apertures. Adhesive strips may be disposed on each opposed surface of the rivet tape length. In other aspects, workstations comprise devices for practicing the described methods.

Rotor blades and methods for joining shear clips in wind turbine rotor blades are provided. A method includes positioning the shear clip adjacent a shear web of the rotor blade, the shear clip including a thermoplastic resin, the shear web including a thermoplastic resin. The method further includes welding the thermoplastic resin of the shear clip and the thermoplastic resin of the shear web together. The method further includes positioning the shear clip adjacent a spar cap of the rotor blade, the spar cap including a thermoplastic resin. The method further includes welding the thermoplastic resin of the shear clip and the thermoplastic resin of the spar cap together. The method further includes joining the shear web and the spar cap together.

A waterproof invisible barrier seam is formed between two fabric laminates, an outer shell fabric laminate and an inner lining fabric laminate. The seam includes an invisible seam tape that forms a hydrostatic barrier within the seam. The design of the seam allows the formation of an effective hydrostatic barrier along the seams of a soft shell garment, while retaining flexibility, stretch, aesthetic appearance, and reversibility.

A main body of a bicycle saddle includes an elastomer provided on a top surface thereof with a recess, a cover layer covering the top surface and having a concave area corresponding to the recess, and an auxiliary functional piece embedded in the concave area. The main body is manufactured by attaching a contacting surface of the cover layer to a mold cavity of a forming mold by vacuum suction to make a protrusion of the inner wall or a piece material glued to the contacting surface and including the auxiliary functional piece prop up the cover layer to form the concave area, forming the elastomer in the mold cavity, and embedding the auxiliary functional piece in the concave area or exposing the auxiliary functional piece on the contacting surface.