US5125993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for forming and consolidating a fiber reinforced resin structure
Assignee: Fiberite Inc
•
Filing: 1991-07-25
•
Granted: 1992-06-30
•
Expires: 2011-07-25
Abstract
Abstract Fiber reinforced resin composite structures are cured and fully consolidated while compensating for incomplete initial compaction of prepreg between cores, and the mandrel's thermal growth which spreads the cores apart by forming the structure around a metal alloy form fastened to a mandrel wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal alloy is greater than that of the mandrel.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank S. Principe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:42
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D23/00; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/30; B29C70/34; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/24; B29K2105/243; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/60; B29L2031/601
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for forming and consolidating a composite structure having hollow sections or passages therein comprising: providing a plurality of metal alloy cores defining the configuration of said hollow sections or passages; covering said metal alloy cores with a heat curable composite prepreg material having a predetermined cure temperature; placing said metal alloy cores covered with prepreg material on a mandrel in a side-by-side relationship, said mandrel and said metal alloy cores having different coefficients of thermal expansion, the coefficient of thermal expansion of said metal alloy core being greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of said mandrel, restricting free relative movement between the metal alloy cores covered with composite prepreg material and the mandrel to form a unitary structure; heating said unitary structure to said predetermined cure temperature to consolidate and cure said composite prepreg material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for forming and consolidating a composite structure having hollow sections or passages therein comprising: providing a plurality of metal alloy cores defining the configuration of said hollow sections or passages; covering said metal alloy cores with a heat curable composite prepreg material having a predetermined cure temperature; placing said metal alloy cores covered with prepreg material on a mandrel in a side-by-side relationship, said mandrel and said metal alloy cores having different coefficients of thermal expansion, the coefficient of thermal expansion of said metal alloy core being greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of said mandrel, restricting free relative movement between the metal alloy cores covered with composite prepreg material and the mandrel to form a unitary structure; heating said unitary structure to said predetermined cure temperature to consolidate and cure said composite prepreg material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional steps of heating said metal alloy core to a temperature to melt said alloy and draining the melted metal alloy from the unitary structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said metal alloy cores are a zinc/aluminum alloy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said coefficient of thermal expansion of said cores is about three times greater than the coefficient of expansion of said mandrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said composite prepreg material is 2,2-bis (3',4'-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane/p-phenylenediamine/m-phenylenediamine mixtures.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for forming a hollow composite structure from a prepreg material having a cure and a post-cure temperature comprising: providing a metal alloy core that defines the configuration of the hollow portion of said structure, said alloy having a melt temperature above said cure temperature; covering said alloy core with a heat curable prepreg material to form said structure, said prepreg material having a predetermined cure temperature in the range of from about 600° F. to about 700° F. and a post-cure temperature of from about 700° F. to about 750° F.; and heating said structure under vacuum to a predetermined cure temperature followed by heating said structure to said post-cure temperature.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for forming a hollow composite structure from a prepreg material having a cure and a post-cure temperature comprising: providing a metal alloy core that defines the configuration of the hollow portion of said structure, said alloy having a melt temperature above said cure temperature; covering said alloy core with a heat curable prepreg material to form said structure, said prepreg material having a predetermined cure temperature in the range of from about 600° F. to about 700° F. and a post-cure temperature of from about 700° F. to about 750° F.; and heating said structure under vacuum to a predetermined cure temperature followed by heating said structure to said post-cure temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-30 | 1995-12-30 | 1996-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-30 | 1999-12-30 | 2000-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-12-30 | 2004-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |