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Patent US3704485A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3704485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for spreading a graphite fiber tow into a ribbon of graphite filaments
Assignee: Hercules LLC
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Filing: 1970-12-14
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1990-12-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for spreading a graphite fiber tow into a mass of substantially individual graphite filaments is provided. Spreading of the filaments is achieved by vibrating the graphite tow in air pulsating at a frequency and intensity sufficient to couple the energy of the pulsating medium to the graphite tow. Vibration of the tow in air causes separation and spreading of the filaments in the tow.
Inventors
- 👤 John N Hall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:40
CPC Classifications
D; D02; D02J; D02J1/00; D02J1/18; B; B65; B65H; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/30; B65H2701/39; B65H2701/3916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for spreading the fibers of a graphite fiber tow into a ribbon of individual graphite filaments, said system having in combination: a. a source of graphite fiber tow, b. at least two areas of support spaced apart from each other over which the tow can be drawn, c. means for drawing the tow at a low tension of less than about 6 grams from the source of the tow across the areas of support, and d. means vibrating at a frequency of less than about 15,000 cycles/second for causing an air mass, extending above and below said tow between the two areas of support to pulsate at a frequency and intensity sufficient to couple the energy of pulsation to the tow whereby the tow is spread into a ribbon of graphite filaments.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for spreading the fibers of a graphite fiber tow into a ribbon of individual graphite filaments, said system having in combination: a. a source of graphite fiber tow, b. at least two areas of support spaced apart from each other over which the tow can be drawn, c. means for drawing the tow at a low tension of less than about 6 grams from the source of the tow across the areas of support, and d. means vibrating at a frequency of less than about 15,000 cycles/second for causing an air mass, extending above and below said tow between the two areas of support to pulsate at a frequency and intensity sufficient to couple the energy of pulsation to the tow whereby the tow is spread into a ribbon of graphite filaments.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for separating the fiber of a graphite fiber tow into a mass of individual graphite filaments, said system having in combination: a. a source of graphite fiber tow, b. a surface across which the graphite fiber tow can be drawn, c. means for drawing the tow at a low tension of less than about 6 grams from the source of the tow across the surface, d. means vibrating the surface at a frequency of less than about 15,000 cycles/seCond for causing an air mass, contiguous with the extending directly above the surface to pulsate at a frequency and intensity sufficient to couple the energy of pulsation to the tow whereby the tow is spread into a mass of substantially individual graphite filaments.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for separating the fiber of a graphite fiber tow into a mass of individual graphite filaments, said system having in combination: a. a source of graphite fiber tow, b. a surface across which the graphite fiber tow can be drawn, c. means for drawing the tow at a low tension of less than about 6 grams from the source of the tow across the surface, d. means vibrating the surface at a frequency of less than about 15,000 cycles/seCond for causing an air mass, contiguous with the extending directly above the surface to pulsate at a frequency and intensity sufficient to couple the energy of pulsation to the tow whereby the tow is spread into a mass of substantially individual graphite filaments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 2 in which the vibrating means comprises in combination a loudspeaker, an amplifier, an audio signal generator and a power source, said loud speaker providing acoustical energy to vibrate the surface when energy from the power source is converted to an audio signal and said signal is amplified and transmitted to the loudspeaker.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |