Patent US3962394A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3962394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for molding fiber reinforced composite tube
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1975-06-02
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Granted: 1976-06-08
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Expires: 1995-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A fiber reinforced composite tube is molded by applying an annular, liquid-resin-impregnated layer of reinforcing fibers to a cylindrical mold or mandrel; placing in contact with the exposed surface of the fiber-resin layer a compression sleeve which is split lengthwise to permit circumferential contraction or expansion of the sleeve into pressurizing relation with the layer; pressurizing the compression sleeve with fluid pressure to compress the fiber-resin layer and thereby compact the reinforcing fibers and expell entrapped air and excess resin from the layer; and curing the resin while the fiber-resin layer is so compressed.
Inventors
- 👤 Judge H. Hall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:51
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/56; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
The method of molding a fiber-reinforced composite tube comprising the steps of: using a mold element having a peripheral molding surface about a central axis of the element; applying to said molding surface an annular liquidresin impregnated layer of reinforcing fibers; placing a compression sleeve in contact with an exposed side of said fiber-resin layer, said compression sleeve being longitudinally split so that the peripheral length of said sleeve can change with pressure and which sleeve is releasable from said resin; urging said compression sleeve against said fiber-resin layer by gaseous or fluid pressure, in such a way as to cause a change in the peripheral length of said sleeve by sliding one portion of said sleeve upon another portion of said sleeve, to compress the layer between said sleeve and mold element and thereby compact the reinforcing fibers in the layer; and curing the resin in said layer with heat while the layer is so compressed, and removing said sleeve from said layer and said layer from said mold element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
The method of molding a fiber-reinforced composite tube comprising the steps of: using a mold element having a peripheral molding surface about a central axis of the element; applying to said molding surface an annular liquidresin impregnated layer of reinforcing fibers; placing a compression sleeve in contact with an exposed side of said fiber-resin layer, said compression sleeve being longitudinally split so that the peripheral length of said sleeve can change with pressure and which sleeve is releasable from said resin; urging said compression sleeve against said fiber-resin layer by gaseous or fluid pressure, in such a way as to cause a change in the peripheral length of said sleeve by sliding one portion of said sleeve upon another portion of said sleeve, to compress the layer between said sleeve and mold element and thereby compact the reinforcing fibers in the layer; and curing the resin in said layer with heat while the layer is so compressed, and removing said sleeve from said layer and said layer from said mold element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said mold element is a mandrel having an outer molding surface; said fiber-resin layer is applied about the outside of said mandrel with the inner side of the layer in contact with said mandrel molding surface; and said compression sleeve is placed about the outside of said layer and is contracted circumferentially by said fluid pressure into pressurizing relation with said layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said mold element is female mold member having an inner molding surface; said fiber-resin layer is applied about the inside of said female mold member with the outer side of the layer in contact with said molding surface; and said compression sleeve is placed about the inside of said layer and is expanded circumferentially by said fluid pressure into pressurizing relation with said layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said mold element and compression sleeve are cylindrical in cross-section, and said sleeve has a single longitudinal split bounded by tapered overlapping edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said mold element and compression sleeve are rectangular in cross-section, and said sleeve has a plurality of longitudinal splits dividing said sleeve into separate sections and each bounded by tapered overlapping edges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said fluid pressure is exerted on said compression sleeve by sealing said mold element, compression sleeve, and fiber-layer within a bladder having a wall opposite said compression sleeve, and evacuating said bladder, whereby ambient pressure on said bladder is transmitted through said bladder wall to said compression sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 6 wherein: said compression sleeve is perforated to permit escape of entrapped air and excess resin in said fiber-resin layer when the latter is compressed; and said method includes the step of placing an absorbent layer between said compression sleeve and bladder wall to absorb excess resin expelled through the sleeve openings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 7 wherein: said mold element is an inside mandrel having an outer molding surface; said fiber-resin layer is applied about the outside of said mandrel with the inner side of the layer in contact with said mandrel molding surface; and said compression sleeve is placed about the outside of said layer and is contracted circumferentially by said fluid pressure into pressurizing relation with said layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 7 wherein: said mold element is a hollow female mold member having an inner molding surface; said fiber-resin layer is applied about the inside of said mandrel with the outer side of the layer in contact with said mandrel molding surface; and said compression sleeve is placed about the inside of said layer and is expanded circumferentially by said fluid pressure into pressurizing relation with said layer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-08 | 1979-12-08 | 1980-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-08 | 1983-12-08 | 1984-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-08 | 1987-12-08 | 1988-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |