A fluid dispenser (10) includes a housing (12) and a valving rod (14). The housing includes an inlet (28) that receives a fluid product, an internal chamber (26) in fluid communication with the inlet, a discharge port (20) in fluid communication with the internal chamber that dispenses fluid from the internal chamber, a dispensing fluid inlet (38) that receives a dispensing fluid, and a dispensing fluid passage system that carries the dispensing fluid to the discharge port. The valving rod is disposed in the housing and moves within the internal chamber between an open position and a closed position. The dispensing fluid passage system includes a first passageway (44) that carries the dispensing fluid in a first direction and a second passageway (48) that carries the dispensing fluid in a second direction. The second passageway has a distal end that dispenses the dispensing fluid proximate the discharge port.

A method of manufacturing a composite rim includes following steps of: disposing a composite material on an outer surface of an air bag to form a semi-formed rim, wherein the air bag is a completely closed annular tube without any through opening on the outer surface and contains a thermal expansion material thereinside; disposing the semi-formed rim in a mold; and heating the thermal expansion material so that the thermal expansion material expands and inflates the air bag and the semi-formed rim is then solidified.

A method of manufacturing a composite rim includes following steps of: disposing a composite material on an outer surface of an air bag to form a semi-formed rim, wherein the air bag is a completely closed annular tube without any through opening on the outer surface and contains a thermal expansion material thereinside; disposing the semi-formed rim in a mold; and heating the thermal expansion material so that the thermal expansion material expands and inflates the air bag and the semi-formed rim is then solidified.

Expandable components for aerial vehicles may include an outer structure formed of carbon fiber, an adhesive bladder disposed within the outer structure, and expanding foam materials inserted into the adhesive bladder. The expandable components may be configured to transform from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration upon application of heat and/or pressure. For example, in the compressed configuration, the outer structure, adhesive bladder, and expanding foam materials may be folded, rolled, or compressed for storage or transport. In the expanded configuration, the expanding foam materials may expand and cure within the adhesive bladder, the adhesive bladder may expand, bond, and cure inside the outer structure, and the outer structure may expand and cure to a desired shape or size.

A method of fabricating a composite structure includes laying at least one composite ply about a bladder, the bladder comprising a phase change material in a first phase having a first volume, positioning an outer mold about the bladder and the at least one composite ply, and curing the at least one composite ply to form the composite structure. Curing causes the phase change material contained within the bladder to change to a second phase to expand from the first volume to a second volume and apply a pressure to an interior surface of the composite ply and press an outer surface of the composite ply against the outer mold to form an interior cavity. The bladder is not removable from the formed interior cavity.

A method of fabricating a composite structure includes laying at least one composite ply about a bladder, the bladder comprising a phase change material in a first phase having a first volume, positioning an outer mold about the bladder and the at least one composite ply, and curing the at least one composite ply to form the composite structure. Curing causes the phase change material contained within the bladder to change to a second phase to expand from the first volume to a second volume and apply a pressure to an interior surface of the composite ply and press an outer surface of the composite ply against the outer mold to form an interior cavity. The bladder is not removable from the formed interior cavity.

A method for manufacturing a breast implant includes producing an elastic filler material including foam, by applying a source of gas bubbles to a silicone monomer to create a mixture. The mixture is inserted into a sealed chamber. After inserting the mixture, a pressure inside the sealed chamber is set to a first pressure, and a temperature of the mixture inside the sealed chamber is set to a first temperature. Then, following a preset time duration, the pressure is lowered to a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure, and after a given time, the temperature is lowered to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. A flexible shell, configured for implantation within a breast of a human subject, is filled with the elastic filler material.

A method of fabricating a composite structure includes laying at least one composite ply about a bladder, the bladder comprising a phase change material in a first phase having a first volume, positioning an outer mold about the bladder and the at least one composite ply, and curing the at least one composite ply to form the composite structure. Curing causes the phase change material contained within the bladder to change to a second phase to expand from the first volume to a second volume and apply a pressure to an interior surface of the composite ply and press an outer surface of the composite ply against the outer mold to form an interior cavity. The bladder is not removable from the formed interior cavity.

Various embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition in various regions within a foam dispensing apparatus. In various embodiments, the foam dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing nozzle positioned between at least two container-forming layers and configured to dispense foam forming composition into a container interior formed by the container-forming layers. The sensing apparatus may be positioned external to the container interior, on an opposite side of a container-forming layer relative to the nozzle, and the sensing apparatus may be configured to detect whether foam forming composition is present within a field of view of the sensing apparatus, which encompasses a portion of the container interior. The sensing apparatus may comprise a contactless temperature sensor configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition based on the detected temperature of a surface within the field of view of the sensor apparatus.

A system includes a source, a detector, and a controller. The source is configured to emit electromagnetic energy toward two plies of film. A portion of the emitted electromagnetic energy is within a range of wavelengths. The detector is arranged to detect electromagnetic energy propagating away from the two plies of film. The detector detects electromagnetic energy within the range of wavelengths and generates signals indicative of intensity of detected electromagnetic energy. The controller controls operation of the foam-in-bag system based the signals from the detector. The film is transmissive of electromagnetic energy in the range of wavelengths. When dispensed between the two plies of film, one or both of foaming chemical precursors or foam formed from a reaction thereof is opaque to electromagnetic energy in the range of wavelengths.