B29C66/72141

Induction welding using a heat sink and/or cooling
11524467 · 2022-12-13 · ·

A method of dissipating heat from a surface of a first thermoplastic composite (TPC) being inductively welded with a second thermoplastic composite (TPC) includes flexing a heat sink during placement to conform to the surface of the first TPC, cooling the heat sink, applying inductive heat to a weld interface area between the first TPC and the second TPC, and drawing off heat via the heat sink from the surface of the first TPC.

A CONNECTOR BODY, A STRUCTURE INCLUDING THE CONNECTOR BODY, AND A METHOD OF FORMING THE STRUCTURE
20220388252 · 2022-12-08 · ·

A connector body having a first end portion defining a first end face of the body and an opposite second end portion defining a second end face of the body, the first end portion including a first peripheral groove with a first sealing ring, and the second end portion including a second peripheral groove with a second sealing ring, an intermediate portion of the—body defining a peripheral surface extending between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring, the peripheral surface to be covered by the retaining glue for bonding the body to the tube, a glue flow passage at the first end portion extending transversally to the first sealing ring, and a glue injection channel extending from the first end portion towards the second end portion and including a glue injection port in the first end portion and a glue ejection port at the peripheral surface.

PROCESS FOR WELDING PROFILES TO A BELT
20220379573 · 2022-12-01 ·

A process for welding profiles (1) of a thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer to a top layer (3) of a belt (2), such as a conveyor belt, also being made of a thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer. The process uses thermal impulse welding and applies the welding heat onto the surface (21) of the belt (2) which is opposite to the top layer (3). The process is in particular suited for welding TPO profiles to TPO top layers.

Composite vehicle driveshaft assembly with bonded end yoke and method for producing same

A composite vehicle driveshaft assembly includes a composite tube and a yoke bonded to one of the ends of the tube. The yoke has an inner sleeve that is concentrically received in the end of the tube. The sleeve has an outer peripheral surface that faces the inner peripheral surface of the tube with a cavity formed therebetween. An adhesive injection passage is formed in the yoke and extends at an acute angle from an inlet that is formed in an axial surface of the yoke to an outlet that is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve and that opens into the cavity. Also disclosed is a method of bonding a yoke of such a driveshaft assembly to a composite tube.

SECURING A SECOND OBJECT TO A FIRST OBJECT
20230058504 · 2023-02-23 ·

The method of bonding a first object (1) to a second object (2) uses a connector, the connector having a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion (32). The first sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding first attachment portion (33), and the second sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding second attachment portion (34). The connector (3) further has a spacer between the first and second sheet portions. For bonding, the first and second objects (1, 2) and the connector (3) are positioned relative to each other so that the connector is placed between the first and second objects. Then the first and second objects (1, 2) are pressed against each other while mechanical vibration energy impinges on the first and/or second object until a first flow portion of thermoplastic material of the first object in contact with the first attachment portion(s) and a second flow portion of thermoplastic material in contact with the second attachment portion(s) become flowable allowing the respective attachment portions (33, 34) to be pressed into material of the first and second object, respectively. After re-solidification of the flow portions, a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects via the connector results. The spacer defines a width (w) of a gap between the first and second objects (1, 2) after bonding.

Wind turbine blade manufacture

Improvements relating to wind turbine blade manufacture 5 A method of making a wind turbine blade is described. The method involves providing a blade shell having an inner surface defining a mounting region and positioning a web in the mounting region. One or more web restraining devices are used to secure the position of the web in the mounting region. Each restraining device has a first portion attached to the web and a second portion attached to the inner surface of the blade shell. The 10 restraining devices are configured to prevent movement of the web in a first plane substantially parallel to the mounting region and to permit movement of the web in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the mounting region. The method further comprises moving the web in the second plane away from the mounting region and performing one or more preparatory operations on the mounting region with the web 15 moved away from the mounting region. The web is then repositioned in the mounting region by moving the web in the second plane back towards the mounting region.

Resistance welding methods and apparatus

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

Positioning profiles for pultrusions in wind blade spar caps

Provided herein is a spar cap having a profile for guiding and receiving a shear web for wind turbine blade. Particularly, the present disclosure provides a pultruded spar cap having a bond gap feature to maintain a uniform space for distribution of bonding paste between the spar cap and shear web. Also, the spar cap is formed with locating features which guide and receive placement of the shear web.

Method for manufacturing oxidized fiber bundle, method for manufacturing carbon fiber bundle, and joining apparatus
11598029 · 2023-03-07 · ·

A manufacturing method and an apparatus enable high productivity. A method for manufacturing an oxidized fiber bundle includes joining an upstream precursor fiber bundle and a downstream precursor fiber bundle together with a joining fiber bundle, and oxidizing the joined precursor fiber bundles by feeding the joined precursor fiber bundles through an oxidization furnace. The joining includes applying an oiling agent to a joint area of a joining target precursor fiber bundle before joining the joining target precursor fiber bundle and the joining fiber bundle together. A quantity of the oiling agent adhering to the joint area is 0.15 to 0.85 wt %.

TREATMENT OF A FIBRE REINFORCED COMPOSITE ELEMENT
20230158714 · 2023-05-25 ·

The disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a fibre reinforced composite, wherein the surface of the fibre reinforced composite modified by using a laser radiation. In particular, the pre-treatment is performed before a bonding process. Time-consuming and dust generating grinding of the surface can be avoided.