US3839072A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carbon fibre tow
Assignee: National Research Development Corp UK
•
Filing: 1971-07-26
•
Granted: 1974-10-01
•
Expires: 1991-07-26
Abstract
Abstract The degree of alignment of carbon fibres in a continuous carbon fibre tow is improved by applying a resin solution to the tow at a point where the tow is still travelling under the same tension and in the same direction as that in which it travelled through the furnace. Application of the resin, e.g., polyvinyl alcohol in a volatile organic solvent, may be effected by means of a porous, e.g., felt, spreader without substantially altering the direction of travel of the tow.
Inventors
- 👤 H Kearsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:45
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01F; D01F11/00; D01F11/10; D01F11/12; D01F11/122; D01F11/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2918; Y10T428/2933; Y10T428/2964; Y10T428/2967; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31511; Y10T428/31725; Y10T428/31765; Y10T428/31786; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/31935
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A METHOD OF PRODUCING A CARBON FIBER TWO WHICH COMPRISES CONTINOUSLY DRAWING A CARBONIZABLE FIBER TOW UNIDIRECTIONALLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY LINEARLY UNDER TENSION THROUGH A CARBONIZING FURNACE TO CARBONIZE SAID FIBER, DRAWUNG THE ARBON FIBER TOW FROM SAID FURNACE SO THAT THE FIBER TRAVELS IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME LINEAR DIRECTION IN WHICH IT TRAVELLED THROUGH THE FURNACE, APPLYING A RESIN SOLUTION TO THE TOW AND ALLOWING SAID RESIN TO SUBSTANTIALLY SET WHILE THE TWO IS STILL UNDER TENSION AND TRAVELLING IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAID LINEAR DIRECTION SO AS TO PRESERVE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE CARBON FIBERS IN THE TOW SUBSTANTIALLY AS IT EMERGES FROM THE SAID FURNACE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A METHOD OF PRODUCING A CARBON FIBER TWO WHICH COMPRISES CONTINOUSLY DRAWING A CARBONIZABLE FIBER TOW UNIDIRECTIONALLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY LINEARLY UNDER TENSION THROUGH A CARBONIZING FURNACE TO CARBONIZE SAID FIBER, DRAWUNG THE ARBON FIBER TOW FROM SAID FURNACE SO THAT THE FIBER TRAVELS IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME LINEAR DIRECTION IN WHICH IT TRAVELLED THROUGH THE FURNACE, APPLYING A RESIN SOLUTION TO THE TOW AND ALLOWING SAID RESIN TO SUBSTANTIALLY SET WHILE THE TWO IS STILL UNDER TENSION AND TRAVELLING IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAID LINEAR DIRECTION SO AS TO PRESERVE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE CARBON FIBERS IN THE TOW SUBSTANTIALLY AS IT EMERGES FROM THE SAID FURNACE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbonizable fiber tow is a polyacrylonitrile fiber tow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the carbonizable polycrylonitrile fiber tow is subjected to a preliminary oxidation treatment before carbonization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the carbonizable polyacrylonitrile tow is subjected to an oxidation treatment after carbonization.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbon fiber tow is subjected to a graphitization treatment by being drawn without any alteration in direction through the treatment zone or zones prior to the resin application.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the carbon fiber tow is also subjected to a surface oxidation treatment by being drawn without any alteration in direction through the treatment zones prior to the resin application.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resin solution is applied to the carbon fibre tow by means of a porous spreader.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resin is applied in solution in a volatile organic solvent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the resin is polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, an epoxy, polyester or polyamide resin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the amount of resin applied is from 1 to 5 percent by weight of the weight of the tow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the resin is applied in the form of a solution containing from 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of the resin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the carbon fiber tow is subjected to a surface oxidation treatment by being drawn without any alteration in direction through the treatment zone or zones prior to the resin application.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3273987A
Cited
US3720536A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |