US4767656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite material structure with integral fire protection
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1984-01-09
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Granted: 1988-08-30
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Expires: 2004-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A load-bearing composite material structure (2, 2') has a plurality of layers of composite material. Each layer includes a matrix material (4) that maintains its structural integrity at 1200° F. for at least five minutes. Preferred matrix materials are polyimide resins. Outer layers that will be directly exposed to a fire are reinforced with a woven fabric (8) that is sufficiently flame resistant and has a sufficiently fine weave to prevent flame penetration at 2000° F. for at least fifteen minutes. The woven fabric (8) is preferably ceramic. The rest of the layers are reinforced with a fibrous material (6) to provide the necessary structural strength. The layers may be laminate cured together to form a single, integral structure (2) or such laminates adhesively bonded to a honeycomb (12).
Inventors
- 👤 Wan T. Chee
- 👤 Douglas McLaren
- 👤 Keith E. Therrien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:48
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B32B3/10; B32B3/12; B32B27/00; B32B27/12; B32B27/28; B32B27/281; E; E04; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/62; E04B1/92; E04B1/94; E04B1/941; B32B2262/00; B32B2262/10; B32B2262/105; B32B2262/106; B32B2305/00; B32B2305/02; B32B2305/024; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/30; B32B2307/306; B32B2307/3065; B32B2379/00; B32B2379/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/902; Y10S428/92; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24149; Y10T428/30; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31551; Y10T428/31623; Y10T428/31721; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/30; Y10T442/3472; Y10T442/3504; Y10T442/3512
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A load-bearing composite material structure with integral thermal and flame protection, said structure comprising a plurality of layers of composite material; said layers including a plurality of inner layers, and an outer layer on an outer surface of said structure; said outer layer and each of said inner layers including a matrix material that maintains its structural integrity at temperatures of about 1200° F. for at least about 5 minutes; said outer layer including a reinforcing fibrous flame barrier that is embedded in said matrix material and that is sufficiently flame resistant to prevent penetration of a flame with a temperature of about 2000° F. for at least about 15 minutes when said outer surface is directly exposed to a fire; and each of said inner layers including a reinforcing fibrous material that is embedded in said matrix material and that is sufficiently strong to provide predetermined load-bearing characteristics; wherein all of the layers are bonded together to form a single, integral load-bearing and substantially fireproof structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A load-bearing composite material structure with integral thermal and flame protection, said structure comprising a plurality of layers of composite material; said layers including a plurality of inner layers, and an outer layer on an outer surface of said structure; said outer layer and each of said inner layers including a matrix material that maintains its structural integrity at temperatures of about 1200° F. for at least about 5 minutes; said outer layer including a reinforcing fibrous flame barrier that is embedded in said matrix material and that is sufficiently flame resistant to prevent penetration of a flame with a temperature of about 2000° F. for at least about 15 minutes when said outer surface is directly exposed to a fire; and each of said inner layers including a reinforcing fibrous material that is embedded in said matrix material and that is sufficiently strong to provide predetermined load-bearing characteristics; wherein all of the layers are bonded together to form a single, integral load-bearing and substantially fireproof structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A structure as described in claim 1, in which the flame barrier comprises a reinforcing woven fabric; said fabric having a sufficiently fine weave, and being made from a material that is sufficiently flame resistant, to prevent penetration of a flame with a temperature of about 2000° F. for at least about 15 minutes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A structure as described in claim 2, in which said reinforcing woven fabric is a ceramic fabric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A structure as described in claim 2, in which said matrix material in said outer layer and in each of said inner layers is a polyimide resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A structure as described in claim 3, in which said matrix material in said outer layer and in each of said inner layers is a polyimide resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure as described in claim 1, in which said fibrous material in said inner layers comprises graphite fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A structure as described in claim 1, in which one of said inner layers positioned in an intermediate portion of said structure has a honeycomb configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A structure as described in claim 7, in which said fibrous material in said inner layer with a honeycomb configuration is a glass material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A structure as described in claim 1, in which each of said outer layer and said inner layers has a sheet-like configuration, and said outer layer and said inner layers are cured together to bond them together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure as described in claim 9, in which said fibrous material in said inner layers comprises graphite fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a flight vehicle, a load-bearing composite material structure with integral thermal and flame protection, said structure being positioned to separate a designated fire zone from other portions of the vehicle, and said structure comprising a plurality of layers of composite material; said layers including a plurality of inner layers, and an outer layer on an outer surface of said structure that faces and is exposed to said designated zone; said outer layer and each of said inner layers including a matrix material that maintains its structural integrity at temperatures of about 1200° F. for at least about 5 minutes; said outer layer including a reinforcing fibrous flame barrier that is embedded in said matrix material and that is sufficiently flame resistant to prevent penetration of a flame with a temperature of about 2000° F. for at least about 15 minutes; and each of said inner layers including a reinforcing fibrous material that is embedded in said matrix material and that is sufficiently strong to provide predetermined load-bearing characteristics; wherein all of the layers are bonded together to form a single, integral load-bearing and substantially fireproof structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a flight vehicle, a load-bearing composite material structure with integral thermal and flame protection, said structure being positioned to separate a designated fire zone from other portions of the vehicle, and said structure comprising a plurality of layers of composite material; said layers including a plurality of inner layers, and an outer layer on an outer surface of said structure that faces and is exposed to said designated zone; said outer layer and each of said inner layers including a matrix material that maintains its structural integrity at temperatures of about 1200° F. for at least about 5 minutes; said outer layer including a reinforcing fibrous flame barrier that is embedded in said matrix material and that is sufficiently flame resistant to prevent penetration of a flame with a temperature of about 2000° F. for at least about 15 minutes; and each of said inner layers including a reinforcing fibrous material that is embedded in said matrix material and that is sufficiently strong to provide predetermined load-bearing characteristics; wherein all of the layers are bonded together to form a single, integral load-bearing and substantially fireproof structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A structure as described in claim 11 in which the flame barrier comprises a reinforcing woven fabric; said fabric having a sufficiently fine weave, and being made from a material that is sufficiently flame resistant, to prevent penetration of a flame with a temperature of about 2000° F. for at least about 15 minutes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
A structure as described in claim 11 in which the flame barrier comprises a reinforcing woven ceramic fabric, said fabric having a sufficiently fine weave, and being made from a material that is sufficiently flame resistant, to prevent penetration of a flame with a temperature of about 2000° F. for at least about 15 minutes; in which said matrix material in said outer layer is a polyimide resin; and in which, in at least some of said inner layers, said matrix material is a polyimide resin and said fibrous material comprises graphite fibers.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of providing a fire zone in a flight vehicle with a load-bearing composite material structure and of protecting said structure from high temperatures and fire in said zone, said method comprising: forming a plurality of layers of composite material into a desired shape; providing each such layer with a matrix material that maintains its structural integrity at temperatures of about 1200° F. for at least about 5 minutes; reinforcing one of said layers with a fibrous flame barrier that is sufficiently flame resistant to prevent penetration of a flame with a temperature of about 2000° F. for at least about 15 minutes; reinforcing the rest of the layers with a fibrous material that is sufficiently strong to provide predetermined load-bearing characteristics; bonding all of the layers together to form a single, integral load-bearing and substantially fireproof structure; and positioning said one of said layers on an outer surface of said structure; and positioning said integral fireproof structure to bear loads, with said outer surface facing and exposed to said fire zone.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of providing a fire zone in a flight vehicle with a load-bearing composite material structure and of protecting said structure from high temperatures and fire in said zone, said method comprising: forming a plurality of layers of composite material into a desired shape; providing each such layer with a matrix material that maintains its structural integrity at temperatures of about 1200° F. for at least about 5 minutes; reinforcing one of said layers with a fibrous flame barrier that is sufficiently flame resistant to prevent penetration of a flame with a temperature of about 2000° F. for at least about 15 minutes; reinforcing the rest of the layers with a fibrous material that is sufficiently strong to provide predetermined load-bearing characteristics; bonding all of the layers together to form a single, integral load-bearing and substantially fireproof structure; and positioning said one of said layers on an outer surface of said structure; and positioning said integral fireproof structure to bear loads, with said outer surface facing and exposed to said fire zone.
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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) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |