Methods and apparatus for automating the fiber laying process during the repair of composite structures made of fiber-reinforced plastic material based on the three-dimensional printing technique. Continuous fiber rovings (e.g., carbon fibers) impregnated with liquid epoxy can be directly printed onto the damaged surface of the composite structure (e.g., an aircraft component made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic) without human manipulation in an autonomous manner.

Methods and apparatus for automating the fiber laying process during the repair of composite structures made of fiber-reinforced plastic material based on the three-dimensional printing technique. Continuous fiber rovings (e.g., carbon fibers) impregnated with liquid epoxy can be directly printed onto the damaged surface of the composite structure (e.g., an aircraft component made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic) without human manipulation in an autonomous manner.

An induction heating apparatus is proposed, comprising at least one coil layer having a coil device and a carrier, on which carrier the coil device is arranged, wherein the at least one coil layer is of flexurally flexible configuration, wherein the at least one coil layer is embedded in the structural material of the vacuum hood and wherein the vacuum hood having the at least one coil layer is of flexurally flexible configuration.

An induction heating apparatus is proposed, comprising at least one coil layer having a coil device and a carrier, on which carrier the coil device is arranged, wherein the at least one coil layer is of flexurally flexible configuration, wherein the at least one coil layer is embedded in the structural material of the vacuum hood and wherein the vacuum hood having the at least one coil layer is of flexurally flexible configuration.

An apparatus for patching a tubeless tire includes a patch; a washer centrally located on the patch; a fastener extending from the washer; and a cap engageable with the fastener, whereby the patch can be mounted in a tear of a tubeless tire with the patch on an inside of the tear and the cap on the outside of the tear. The patch can be used to quickly repair a ruptured tubeless tire, for example of a mountain bike, without the need of adding a tire tube within the tire.

An apparatus for patching a tubeless tire includes a patch; a washer centrally located on the patch; a fastener extending from the washer; and a cap engageable with the fastener, whereby the patch can be mounted in a tear of a tubeless tire with the patch on an inside of the tear and the cap on the outside of the tear. The patch can be used to quickly repair a ruptured tubeless tire, for example of a mountain bike, without the need of adding a tire tube within the tire.

A repair apparatus is configured to repair a hole in a curved wall portion of a material guide. The repair apparatus includes a patch body that can conform to the shape of the curved wall portion and a retainer that non-destructively holds the patch body in place on the wall portion over the hole. In certain embodiments, the retainers are magnets or straps. The patch body can be flexible so that it can be adjusted to conform to the shape of curved wall portions of various sizes and curvatures. The patch body can include a wear-resistant inner surface. In some embodiments, the patch body includes an outer shell and a wear-resistant inner liner connected to the shell. The liner can have one side that is unattached to the shell.

A repair apparatus is configured to repair a hole in a curved wall portion of a material guide. The repair apparatus includes a patch body that can conform to the shape of the curved wall portion and a retainer that non-destructively holds the patch body in place on the wall portion over the hole. In certain embodiments, the retainers are magnets or straps. The patch body can be flexible so that it can be adjusted to conform to the shape of curved wall portions of various sizes and curvatures. The patch body can include a wear-resistant inner surface. In some embodiments, the patch body includes an outer shell and a wear-resistant inner liner connected to the shell. The liner can have one side that is unattached to the shell.

Systems and processes for enabling an off-site expert to interact with an on-site technician during repair of composite structure. The off-site expert can provide real-time guidance to an on-site technician before and during the performance of repair procedures to avoid errors. The off-site expert is also able to monitor the repair procedures in real time to verify that correct procedures are being employed. In particular, the systems and processes disclosed herein can provide direct visual guidance, feedback, and out-of-plan warnings for manual or automated scarfing and other operations during repair of composite structure. In some embodiments, the repair process combines optical three-dimensional surface measurement, illumination by at least one of visible, ultraviolet and infrared light, and digital light processing projection to provide step-by-step monitoring of the repair.

Systems and processes for enabling an off-site expert to interact with an on-site technician during repair of composite structure. The off-site expert can provide real-time guidance to an on-site technician before and during the performance of repair procedures to avoid errors. The off-site expert is also able to monitor the repair procedures in real time to verify that correct procedures are being employed. In particular, the systems and processes disclosed herein can provide direct visual guidance, feedback, and out-of-plan warnings for manual or automated scarfing and other operations during repair of composite structure. In some embodiments, the repair process combines optical three-dimensional surface measurement, illumination by at least one of visible, ultraviolet and infrared light, and digital light processing projection to provide step-by-step monitoring of the repair.