The invention provides a method of connecting together two unit elements (4, 4) of a fluid transport pipe, each unit pipe element being made of metal alloy and being covered in an outer insulating coating (6, 6) made of a thermoplastic material, with the exception of an end portion that does not have an outer insulating coating, the method comprising a step of butt-welding together two unit pipe elements at their end portions having no outer insulating coating, a step of mechanically assembling at least two rigid shells (14, 16) made of a thermoplastic material on the end portions of the unit pipe elements not having an outer insulating coating, and a step of keeping the shells sealed against the outer insulating coating of the two unit pipe elements.

This specification discloses an article of manufacture. The article of manufacture has at least one structural blank and at least one guide. The structural blank has a plurality of oriented fiber plies in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide has a plurality of random dispersed fibers in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide is affixed to the structural blank by injection molding and over molding the guide onto the structural blank. The article of manufacture can take a number of forms for use in industries such as aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, trains or watercraft.

A disclosed example embodiment of a gauge wheel tire includes a first polyurethane sidewall portion, a second polyurethane sidewall portion, a polyurethane ground-engaging portion, and a polyurethane axial support portion. The first polyurethane sidewall portion is spaced apart from the second polyurethane sidewall portion, and the polyurethane ground-engaging portion extends from the first polyurethane sidewall portion to the second polyurethane sidewall portion and is adapted to contact a ground surface as the gauge wheel tire rotates about an axis of rotation. The polyurethane axial support portion extends from the first polyurethane sidewall portion to the second polyurethane sidewall portion, and is spaced apart from the polyurethane ground-engaging portion to form a gap that allows radial movement of the polyurethane ground-engaging portion relative to the polyurethane axial support portion.

An aerospace vessel including a fuselage, a means for causing the fuselage to fly coupled to the fuselage, and an environmental control system within the fuselage. The environmental control system includes a duct made of closed cell thermoplastic foam, such as polyvinylidene fluoride foam.

Vapors in the fuel tank of a vehicle are collected in a carbon canister. An ejector or aspirator is used to purge the carbon canister in a pressure-charged engine in which a positive pressure exists in the intake. A compact ejector includes a substantially planar flange and a venturi tube coupled to the flange with a central axis of the venturi tube substantially parallel to the flange. By manufacturing the ejector in two pieces, dimensions within the ejector: throat, converging section, and diverging section, is more accurate than prior art manufacturing techniques thereby providing better flow characteristics throughout the boost range. By forming one of the two pieces of the ejector integrally with the air intake component in which it is coupled, decreases part count and the number of manufacturing processes.

This specification discloses an article of manufacture. The article of manufacture has at least one structural blank and at least one guide. The structural blank has a plurality of oriented fiber plies in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide has a plurality of random dispersed fibers in a thermoplastic matrix. The guide is affixed to the structural blank by injection molding and over molding the guide onto the structural blank. The article of manufacture can take a number of forms for use in industries such as aircraft, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, trains or watercraft.

A method of making a wind turbine blade, and the turbine blade resulting form the process, is described in which correct alignment of the shear webs (42a, 42b) upon mould (30) closing is ensured. The method involves providing a first half shell (32a) and a second half shell (32b) to be joined together to form the wind turbine blade. A first edge (46) of a shear web (42) is attached to an inner surface (36a) of the first half shell (32a). A shear web mounting region is defined on an inner surface (36b) of the second half shell (32b). At least one guide block (60a, 60b) is attached to the inner surface (36b) of the second half shell (32b) adjacent to the shear web (42) mounting region. The guide block (60a, 60b) has a guide surface (70) oriented transversely to the inner surface of the second half shell (36b). Upon mould (30) closing, the first and second half shells (32a, 32b) are brought together whilst a second edge (52) of the shear web (42) is guided over the guide surface (70) of the mounting block (60a, 60b) towards the shear web mounting region defined on the inner surface (36b) of the second half shell (32b).

An energy-absorbing assembly includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a first polymer and a first plurality of reinforcing fibers. The first component includes a first peripheral wall defining a first interior compartment. A first interior portion of the first peripheral wall includes a first corrugated surface. A second component includes a second polymer and a second plurality of reinforcing fibers. The second component includes a second peripheral wall. A second interior portion of the second peripheral wall includes a second corrugated surface. The first corrugated surface is complementary to the second corrugated surface. The first corrugated surface is joined to the second corrugated surface.

A steering wheel sheath includes a carbon fiber-comprising composite element and a leather element. The composite element forms a notch and a receiving space axially. Two ends of the composite element extend to form two connection portions bending by a predetermined angle. Inner walls of openings at two ends of the leather element form two engaging portions corresponding in position to the two connection portions of the composite element. An adhesive is applied to outer walls of the two connection portions of the composite element or inner walls of the two engaging portions of the leather element; hence, the composite element and the leather element are connected, coupled and fixed together. The customized manufacturing process allows the steering wheel sheath to be mounted by users and enhances overall feel.

A method for producing a component from two or more sub-components includes the steps of: producing each of the sub-components using an additive manufacturing process in which a resin, which is radiant-energy-curable, is partially cured using a selective application of radiant energy, wherein each sub-component includes a joint surface in which the resin is partially cured which is cured to a lesser degree than the remainder of the respective sub-component, so as to leave the joint surfaces in a condition suitable for bonding; assembling the sub-components with their respective joint surfaces in mutual contact; and performing a secondary cure of the partially-cured resin at the joint surfaces using an application of radiant energy, so as to further cure the partially-cured resin and bond the sub-components to each other, thereby forming the component.