US4822272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mandrel for use in a manufacture of an article made of composite material
Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
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Filing: 1987-10-15
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Granted: 1989-04-18
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Expires: 2007-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A mandrel for use in a process for manufacturing an article of a composite material including a thermosetting resin reinforced by fibers. The mandrel is of a hollow cylindrical configuration and adapted to have resin impregnated fibers wound therearound. In the manufacturing process, a heating medium is introduced into the mandrel under an elevated temperature and pressure to heat the composite material to a curing temperature of the resin. The mandrel is made of an alloy having a rigidity under a room temperature but showing a super plasticity under a temperature at which the resin is cured.
Inventors
- 👤 Motoaki Yanase
- 👤 Tatsuya Yamamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:31
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D99/00; B29D99/001; B29D99/0014; B29D99/0017; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/02; B29C33/04; B29C33/38; B29C53/00; B29C53/80; B29C53/82; B29C53/821; B29C53/84; B29C53/845; B29C33/76; B29K; B29K2905/00; B29K2905/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
Apparatus comprising a flexible mandrel having an outer forming surface and a mould adapted to be disposed about the mandrel for forming an article of a composite fiber reinforced thermosetting resin by applying heat and pressure to the resin in the mould, the mandrel comprising a hollow body formed of an alloy which becomes super plastic at a predetermined temperature at which the resin cures, the body having port means for introducing into the body a heating and pressurizing medium for heating the body to said predetermined temperature and for deforming the body to press the fiber reinforced resin against the mould to cure the resin and form said article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus comprising a flexible mandrel having an outer forming surface and a mould adapted to be disposed about the mandrel for forming an article of a composite fiber reinforced thermosetting resin by applying heat and pressure to the resin in the mould, the mandrel comprising a hollow body formed of an alloy which becomes super plastic at a predetermined temperature at which the resin cures, the body having port means for introducing into the body a heating and pressurizing medium for heating the body to said predetermined temperature and for deforming the body to press the fiber reinforced resin against the mould to cure the resin and form said article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said alloy contains 78% by weight of zinc and 22% by weight of aluminum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said forming surface of the mandrel includes at least one longitudinally extending recess for receiving a longitudinal reinforcement for the article.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the alloy is rigid at room temperature and exhibits super plasticity at a temperature of the order of 180° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the alloy comprises an alloy of zinc and aluminum with the percentage by weight of aluminum being substantially less than that of the zinc.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1344702A
Cited
US2480426A
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GB744907A
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GB1225819A
Cited
US3580767A
Cited
US3785811A
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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) | 1992-04-17 | 1992-10-17 | 1993-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-17 | 1996-10-17 | 1997-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-17 | 2000-10-17 | 2001-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |