Aircraft stringers having carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) material reinforced flanges are disclosed. An example stringer to be coupled to a skin of an aircraft comprises a flange. The flange includes a first portion of a first stiffening segment. The flange further includes a first portion of a second stiffening segment coupled to the first portion of the first stiffening segment. The flange further includes a CFRP reinforcement segment coupled to the first portion of the first stiffening segment and to the first portion of the second stiffening segment. The CFRP reinforcement segment strengthens the first portion of the first stiffening segment and the first portion of the second stiffening segment.

A method for thermoforming a bicycle frame component includes the steps of: (A) preparing first and second casings both made of a thermoplastic material, the first casing having a first abutment surface, the second casing having a second abutment surface; (B) preparing a reinforcing unit; (C) abutting the first and second abutment surfaces against each other, and then placing the reinforcing unit at a junction of the first and second casings; and (D) thermally bonding the reinforcing unit to the first and second casings such that the first and second casings are joined to form the bicycle frame component. A bicycle frame component is also disclosed.

A method of assembly of a carbon fiber space frame structure eliminates the need for gusset plates at the j oints of the space frame structure. The elimination of the gusset plates at the j oints of the space frame structure reduces the weight of the space frame structure and eliminates stresses that occur at the j oints due to gusset plates attached at the j oints.

A high altitude balloon, including a method and machine for manufacture, uses a perimeter border strip to couple two circular balloon panels with a lap or butt seal. Simultaneous sealing of two perimeter seals, one between the border strip and each of two balloon panels, is provided by supporting stacked balloon panels on a rotatable support and sealing around the full perimeter of the two interposed balloon panels and the border strip. The method and machine for manufacture allow for the mass production of high altitude balloons and minimize necessary material handling. The perimeter border strip can be dispensed and guided relative to the perimeter of the balloon panels for positioning before sealing together, as a bonding device is rotated relative to the balloon envelope.

An inflatable stacked tube assembly may comprise a first panel and a second panel. The first panel may form a first portion of a top tube and a first portion of a bottom tube. The second panel may form a second portion of the top tube and a second portion of the bottom tube. A first seam tape may be bonded to a first top tube interior surface portion of the first panel and a second top tube interior surface portion of the second panel. The first seam tape may be located along a first fold formed by the first panel and along a second fold formed by the second panel.

A method protects a field joint of a pipeline, where chamfered edges of thermally-insulating parent coatings on conjoined pipe lengths are in mutual opposition about a longitudinally-extending gap. The method includes manufacturing an hourglass-shaped inner layer around the pipe lengths, which layer may be moulded. The inner layer extends longitudinally along the gap between the chamfered edges and at least partially overlies the chamfered edges. A thermally-insulating solid insert is assembled from two or more parts to lie in the gap surrounding the inner layer, and pressure is applied radially inwardly from the insert to the inner layer. An outer layer of molten material is manufactured around the insert to form a watertight barrier and to form one or more melted interfaces with the inner layer. Corresponding field joint arrangements are also disclosed.

A polyolefin-containing seam tape is described herein. The polyolefin may be at least one of a homopolymer, copolymer, terpolymer, or a polymer blend of polyethylene, polypropylene, or a combination of the two. The seam tape may be used to form a bonded, reinforced, or waterproofed seam. The seam tape may be used in equipment or apparel that may or may not be recyclable.

A respiratory apparatus may employ ultrasonic welds. The ultrasonic welding may be used to join a variety of headgear, mask and accessory components. This process may enhance comfort, fit and/or performance of the joined components and/or overall mask assembly. A component may be a single layer component such as a textile or fabric, or a composite or multiple layer component such as fabric and foam composites, or outer fabric layers and inner spacer fabrics. Further, a component may be a strap, some other headgear component, a mask component, an accessory component or the like.

Proposed is lower rollers of a hot air welder, and more particularly, to a lower roller structure of a hot air welder, which includes a first lower roller unit installed on a worktable to be pivoted vertically and a second lower roller unit installed on a main body to be slidably moved in front and rear, such that a welding operation of flat fabric and a welding operation of a cylindrical shape can be performed in a single hot air welder through alternate use of the first and second lower roller units.

A synthetic turf seam integration template system and method is provided that includes a template having a planar base with a perpendicularly joined positioner. The planar base is configured with a longitudinal cutting edge with a predetermined curvature and an opposing longitudinal non-cutting edge. The positioner, which aids in moving the template, is attached to the non-cutting edge. Variations of the predetermined curvature patterns are disclosed. An optional connector allows connection of two templates to create a longer template for usage on longer seams. Also disclosed are methods of using the seam integration tool in creating an undetectable seam in synthetic turf.