A composite material with an insert-molded attachment steel is provided. The composite material includes a plurality of burring apertures, each of which has a flange in one direction on the attachment steel and is inserted between fibers. A resin is then introduced between the fibers in each burring aperture and external to the flange.

Thermal curing of a potting material within a hole in a surface of a composite material is described utilizing a flexible vacuum compression device that includes a chemical-based heating pack. The vacuum compression device includes an internal compartment within a cavity that retains the chemical-based heating pack, and a vacuum port having a passage into the cavity. An end of the vacuum compression device includes an interface that forms an air-tight seal between the cavity and the surface when applied to a surface of the composite material. Drawing a vacuum via the vacuum port collapses the vacuum compression device and positions the chemical-based heating pack proximate to the surface, enabling heat from the chemical-based heating pack to thermally cure the potting material.

A dispenser apparatus for a curable liquid material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flexible bag defining a first compartment for accommodating a first component of a curable liquid material, and a second compartment for accommodating a second component of the curable liquid material and adapted to communicate with the first chamber to enable mixing of the first and second components to initiate curing of the curable liquid material. A first clamp temporarily prevents mixing of the first and second components, and an elongate nozzle communicates with the second compartment to dispense the mixed curable liquid material therefrom. A second clamp temporarily prevents passage of the curable liquid material from the second compartment to the nozzle.

A dispenser apparatus for a curable liquid material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flexible bag defining a first compartment for accommodating a first component of a curable liquid material, and a second compartment for accommodating a second component of the curable liquid material and adapted to communicate with the first chamber to enable mixing of the first and second components to initiate curing of the curable liquid material. A first clamp temporarily prevents mixing of the first and second components, and an elongate nozzle communicates with the second compartment to dispense the mixed curable liquid material therefrom. A second clamp temporarily prevents passage of the curable liquid material from the second compartment to the nozzle.

An apparatus and methods include infusing the flowable matrix material into a space in the composite laminate through the use of a formed hole extending at least partially through the composite laminate. In addition, the apparatus and methods include infusing the flowable matrix material into a space in the composite laminate in a stepwise manner in order to obtain more complete filling of such space.

An apparatus is provided for modifying the geometry of at least one part of a turbine, which can include a shell assembly that includes an outer shell that is shaped to modify the shape of a pre-existing element of a turbine. The outer shell of the shell assembly can be composed of a fiber-reinforced polymeric material and can at least partially define an inner cavity. The outer shell can be bonded to a structure to modify the geometrical shape of that structure. Thereafter, a polymer casting can be injected into the inner cavity via at least one injection port attached to the shell assembly. In some embodiments, one or more stiffeners and/or a core can be positioned within the inner cavity to help improve the bonding of the polymer casting to the shell and/or improve a structural property of the apparatus.

The invention relates to a method for foaming chipboard with tubes including a board body interspersed by tubes and having an upper and a lower face includes the steps of providing a corresponding chipboard with tubes, defining one or more machining regions on the upper and/or lower face of the chipboard with tubes, machining the machining regions.

In order to provide a method for foaming chipboard with tubes and a chipboard with tubes having foamed tubes that can be used in a simple, flexible, and cost-effective manner while also being highly robust, a foam-forming material is introduced at least in portions of at least one of the above-mentioned tubes in the machining region in order to locally reduce the difference in density between the tubes and the board body. The invention further relates to the use of a device for foaming tubes of a chipboard with tubes.

A molding method for fabricating a composite part having inserts is provided including disposing preforms in a mold, each having co-aligned, resin-impregnated fibers, placing the inserts in the mold adjacent to at least one of the preforms, wherein each insert has securement features for receiving a portion of the co-aligned resin-impregnated fibers from at least one preform, and applying heat and pressure in an amount sufficient to consolidate the resin-impregnated fibers into a resin matrix, thereby forming the part, including consolidating the fibers and resin within the securement features. A fiber composite part is also provided including continuous, co-aligned fibers within a resin matrix, and at least one insert disposed in the matrix, the insert comprising at least one securement feature having a second plurality of the fibers therein, the second plurality of fibers extending into the resin matrix and overlapping with some of the first plurality of fibers.

A composite wheel assembly and method of fabricating the same is provided. The wheel assembly includes a composite wheel rim, a wheel center, and a plurality of attachment fasteners for attaching the wheel center to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes a plurality of attachment inserts that are configured to selectively engage with respective attachment fasteners. Each attachment insert is encapsulated by a plurality of composite layers of the wheel rim or is otherwise secured to the wheel rim. The attachment inserts extend from and/or are positioned within a drop well region of the wheel rim. The method of fabricating the wheel assembly includes forming first and second preforms and positioning the same onto a mold assembly. The method further includes positioning the attachment inserts between the first and second preforms such that the attachment inserts are secured therebetween.

An electrical fitting including a body having an inner cavity for receiving a plurality of conductors, the inner cavity including a first portion extending to a first exterior opening and a second portion extending to a second exterior opening, and a brush barrier positioned within the inner cavity between the first portion and the second portion, the brush barrier including an outer edge and a plurality of bristles extending inwardly from the outer edge, the bristles being displaceable by the conductors, wherein the electrical fitting is configured to receive a sealing compound within the first portion of the inner cavity between the first exterior opening of the first portion and the brush barrier, the sealing compound being at least partially prevented from propagating into the second portion of the inner cavity by the brush barrier.