A method for bonding composite structures which includes providing a first and second composite substrate and coupling a co-cure prepreg tape having chemically protected polymerizable functional groups onto a surface of both the first and second composite substrates. The first and second composite substrates are then cured to the co-cure prepreg tape at a first temperature to form a co-cure prepreg tape portion where the first and second composite substrates are fully cured and the co-cure prepreg tape is partially cured. The co-cure prepreg tape portion of the first composite substrate is then coupled to the co-cure prepreg tape portion of the second composite substrate and a deprotection initiator is applied to facilitate deprotection of the chemically protected polymerizable functional groups and cure the co-cure prepreg tape portion of the first and second composite substrates to form a single covalently bonded composite structure.

A method for joining structural elements to a component made of at least one fiber-reinforced plastics material, includes providing at least two structural elements made of at least one fiber-reinforced plastics material having a particular matrix; providing at least one film element made of a thermoplastic heavy-duty material; arranging the at least one film element on a surface of one of the structural elements or between surfaces to be joined of the at least two structural elements to be joined; and producing the component to be joined in a curing process.

A mat unit includes a plurality of gaps defined by a first layer that are in open communication with gaps defined by a second layer so as to permit debris to fall entirely through both gaps to pass completely through the mat unit. The mat unit is part of an omnidirectional mat cleaning system that includes a first direction of travel above the mat unit extending through a door opening defined by a building structure. A different second direction of travel is above the mat unit extending through the door opening or another door opening defined by the building structure. The mat unit is installed on a floor adjacent the door opening. The mat unit cleans shoes regardless of the direction of travel traveled above the mat unit.

A system for depositing a composite filler material into a channel of a composite structure includes an end-effector configured to extrude a bead of the filler material into the channel. The filler material can comprise a first group of relatively long fibers, a second group of relatively short fibers and a resin. A drive system is configured to move the end-effector relative to the channel, and a position sensor is configured to detect the position of the bead relative to the channel. A controller is configured to operate the drive system in response to the detected position and to operate the end-effector to heat and compress the filler material so as to orient the longer fibers in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to the channel and the shorter fibers in substantially random directions relative to the channel when the bead is extruded into the channel.

A method for bonding a first composite material and a second composite material together includes a step in which a first bonding region of the first composite material is prepared to be maintained in a softened state. In another step, a first non-bonding region of the first composite material is heated to be put into a cured state. The first bonding region is put into a heatable state, and the first bonding region is heated to be put into a semi-cured state. The first bonding region having been put into the semi-cured state is pressed in contact with a second bonding region of the second composite material that becomes a softened state or a semi-cured state. The first bonding region and the second bonding region having been brought into contact with each other and pressed in the contacting and pressing step are heated to be put into a cured state.

Composite laminate structures are produced using partially cured parts. Partial curing of the parts is achieved by applying a catalyst to regions of the parts that are to be fully cured. These regions cure at a lower-than-normal temperature while remaining regions of the part remain uncured, allowing them to be co-bonded or co-cured to other structures.

Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for customizing microwave energy distribution within a chamber to accommodate various load characteristics. Aspects of the present invention customized configurations of ports, deflectors, waveguides, conducting rods, and slots to shape and distribute energy.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing a balloon envelope for use in a stratospheric balloon system. For instance, a stream of polyethylene mixture us extruded through an extruder in order to orient molecules of polymer chains of polyethylene and to provide an oriented film. The oriented film is passed through an electron beam and thereby crosslinking the polymer chains to provide a cross-linked film. The cross-linked film is heat sealed to form the balloon envelope

A protective assembly comprises a first region formulated and configured to provide protection from alpha, beta, and electromagnetic radiation and comprising a composite of particles and polymer; a second region formulated and configured to provide protection from ballistic impact and comprising a composite of fibers and polymer; and a third region formulated and configured to provide protection from thermal radiation and comprising a composite of particles, fiber, and polymer. The protective assembly may be provided on an aerospace structure. The protective assembly may be formed on the aerospace structure body using a co-curing process.

A system for depositing a composite filler material into a channel of a composite structure includes an end-effector configured to extrude a bead of the filler material into the channel. The filler material can comprise a first group of relatively long fibers, a second group of relatively short fibers and a resin. A drive system is configured to move the end-effector relative to the channel, and a position sensor is configured to detect the position of the bead relative to the channel. A controller is configured to operate the drive system in response to the detected position and to operate the end-effector to heat and compress the filler material so as to orient the longer fibers in a substantially longitudinal direction relative to the channel and the shorter fibers in substantially random directions relative to the channel when the bead is extruded into the channel.