US4385644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composite laminate joint structure and method and apparatus for making same
Assignee: CHARLES ROBERT KAEMPEN
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Filing: 1982-01-11
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Granted: 1983-05-31
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Expires: 2002-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A multiple laminate comprises at least one laminate which is tapered at one or both ends to provide a laminate joint structure having a coupling tensile strength greater than the laminate interlaminar shear strength. The laminate joint structure contains at least one tapered laminate ply support structure containing continuous filament strands oriented parallel to the coupling load direction. The tubular laminate form of the tapered end laminate joint structure finds particular application to mechanically joined structures such as pipe and trusses. The method and apparatus for making the laminate in the form of a desired composite structure comprises winding a first ply of circumferentially oriented continuous filament strands upon a mandrel and forming the ends of the first ply to have sufficient thickness to provide an inwardly tapered conical shaped exterior surface. A second ply containing continuous filament strands oriented parallel to the axis of the cylindrical forming structure is placed upon the first ply surface to form the ends of the second ply laminate into a tapard outward flaring conical configuration. A third ply of continuous filament strands is circumferentially wound upon the second ply strands to tension and secure the second ply filament strands and form at each end a flanged configuration suitable for mechanically connecting the laminate to other structures. The filament strands of each laminate ply are thoroughly impregnated with a liquid matrix which subsequently hardens to bond and maintain the filament reinforcements in the desired laminate configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Kaempen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:07
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/08; F16L37/12; F16L37/138; F16L9/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1352; Y10T428/1369; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24058; Y10T428/24074; Y10T428/24091; Y10T428/24099; Y10T428/24124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
A composite laminate joint structure disposed on a horizontal axis thereof comprising a first ply of tensioned and compacted unidirectional continuous first filament strands disposed generally in a direction perpendicular to said axis, said first ply configured to have at least one end of sufficient thickness to provide an exterior surface tapered at an angle of between 5° and 15° when viewed in cross section relative to said axis, a second ply of tensioned and compacted unidirectional continuous second filament strands having a uniform thickness disposed transversely of and superimposed over said first ply and extending generally in the direction of said horizontal axis, said second ply having at least one end formed upon the exterior tapered surface of said first ply to provide said second ply with a taper when viewed in cross section relative to said horizontal axis, a third ply of tensioned and compacted unidirectional continuous third filament strands disposed transversely of and superimposed over said second ply and extending generally in a direction perpendicular to said horizontal axis, said third ply configured to have a flange on the tapered end of said second ply, hardened adhesive means impregnating and bonding said first, second and third plies together in a common bonding matrix to maintain them in a flanged and tapered end laminate joint configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
A composite laminate joint structure disposed on a horizontal axis thereof comprising a first ply of tensioned and compacted unidirectional continuous first filament strands disposed generally in a direction perpendicular to said axis, said first ply configured to have at least one end of sufficient thickness to provide an exterior surface tapered at an angle of between 5° and 15° when viewed in cross section relative to said axis, a second ply of tensioned and compacted unidirectional continuous second filament strands having a uniform thickness disposed transversely of and superimposed over said first ply and extending generally in the direction of said horizontal axis, said second ply having at least one end formed upon the exterior tapered surface of said first ply to provide said second ply with a taper when viewed in cross section relative to said horizontal axis, a third ply of tensioned and compacted unidirectional continuous third filament strands disposed transversely of and superimposed over said second ply and extending generally in a direction perpendicular to said horizontal axis, said third ply configured to have a flange on the tapered end of said second ply, hardened adhesive means impregnating and bonding said first, second and third plies together in a common bonding matrix to maintain them in a flanged and tapered end laminate joint configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said composite structure is generally cylindrical and the taper angle of said first and second laminate plies is within a range of included angles of from 5° to 15°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein each tapered end portion of said first ply is adapted to form a cylindrical arcuate recess suitable for accepting a pressure sealing member.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
325 words
A method for making a composite laminate joint structure along a longitudinal axis thereof comprising the steps of disposing a first ply of continuous first filament strands to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, collimating said first filament strands upon a removable forming surface or mandrel, placing said first filament strands upon said forming surface, applying a sufficient thickness of said first filaments at an end portion of said first ply to produce a first ply shape having a tapered end configuration, said tapered end having an angle of taper preferably ranging between 5° and 15°, disposing a second ply of continuous second filament strands to extend in the direction of said longitudinal axis, gripping the ends of said second filament strands by a gripping means to maintain them in a semi-taut condition, applying said second filament strands transversely across the exterior surface of said first ply, disposing a third ply of continuous third filament strands to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, applying said third filament strands transversely across said second filament strands to impose a substantially uniform load thereon to tension said second filament strands and press them firmly against first filament strands comprising the exterior and tapered surface of said first ply to form a third ply laminate having a tapered end configuration, positioning a removable flange forming structure at an end of said third ply, placing sufficient additional third filament strands in contact with said removable flange forming structure to configure an end of said third ply into a flange, impregnating all of said first, second and third filament strands with a liquified adhesive means, partially curing and hardening said adhesive means to maintain said first, second and third filament strands in tension, disconnecting the ends of said second filament strands from said gripping means, removing said flange forming structure, removing said forming surface or mandrel from the completed composite laminate joint structure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
325 words
A method for making a composite laminate joint structure along a longitudinal axis thereof comprising the steps of disposing a first ply of continuous first filament strands to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, collimating said first filament strands upon a removable forming surface or mandrel, placing said first filament strands upon said forming surface, applying a sufficient thickness of said first filaments at an end portion of said first ply to produce a first ply shape having a tapered end configuration, said tapered end having an angle of taper preferably ranging between 5° and 15°, disposing a second ply of continuous second filament strands to extend in the direction of said longitudinal axis, gripping the ends of said second filament strands by a gripping means to maintain them in a semi-taut condition, applying said second filament strands transversely across the exterior surface of said first ply, disposing a third ply of continuous third filament strands to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, applying said third filament strands transversely across said second filament strands to impose a substantially uniform load thereon to tension said second filament strands and press them firmly against first filament strands comprising the exterior and tapered surface of said first ply to form a third ply laminate having a tapered end configuration, positioning a removable flange forming structure at an end of said third ply, placing sufficient additional third filament strands in contact with said removable flange forming structure to configure an end of said third ply into a flange, impregnating all of said first, second and third filament strands with a liquified adhesive means, partially curing and hardening said adhesive means to maintain said first, second and third filament strands in tension, disconnecting the ends of said second filament strands from said gripping means, removing said flange forming structure, removing said forming surface or mandrel from the completed composite laminate joint structure.
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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) | 1986-05-30 | 1986-11-29 | 1987-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-30 | 1990-11-29 | 1991-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-30 | 1994-11-29 | 1995-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |