US5368911A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for fabrication of composite materials and composite
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1992-03-27
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2012-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A method for manufacturing a composite material comprises the steps of furnishing a layer of a matrix material, forming a groove in the matrix-material layer using a laser to remove material from the layer of matrix material in the form of a groove, and placing a reinforcement into the groove. Preferably, the surface of the layer of matrix material is smoothed with a laser beam prior to formation of the groove. In most instances, more than one layer is desired, and the steps of furnishing, forming, and placing are repeated, using the same or different materials, to build up a multilayer composite material. Cylindrical, flat, or curved panel composite materials can be readily prepared, using metal, intermetallic, or ceramic materials for the matrix.
Inventors
- 👤 SeethaRamaiah Mannava
- 👤 Vanon D. Pratt
- 👤 Henry MacLaren
- 👤 Joseph J. Jackson
- 👤 Patrick M. Kenney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:42
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/68; B29C70/82; B28; B28B; B28B1/00; B28B1/14; B28B1/16; B28B11/00; B28B11/08; B28B11/0863; B28B23/00; B28B23/02; B29C70/04; B29C70/06; B29C70/10; B29C70/16; B29C70/20; B29C70/205; B29C70/207; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B32B3/26; B32B3/30; B29C2791/00; B29C2791/004; B29C2791/009; B29C2793/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/2457
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for manufacturing a composite material, comprising the steps of: furnishing a layer of a matrix material; forming a groove in the matrix-material layer using a laser to remove material from the layer of matrix material in the form of a groove; and placing a reinforcement into the groove.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for manufacturing a composite material, comprising the steps of: furnishing a layer of a matrix material; forming a groove in the matrix-material layer using a laser to remove material from the layer of matrix material in the form of a groove; and placing a reinforcement into the groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, including the additional step, after the step of furnishing and prior to the step of forming, of smoothing the surface of the matrix-material layer using a laser to melt and densify the surface of the matrix-material layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the laser utilized in the step of forming is an excimer laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the laser utilized in the step of smoothing is a carbon dioxide laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of furnishing includes the step of providing the layer of matrix material in the form of a hollow cylinder supported on a mandrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing includes the step of depositing the layer of matrix material using a spray process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing includes the step of depositing the layer of matrix material by plasma spraying.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the groove is in the form of a spiral on the outer surface of the hollow cylinder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of furnishing includes the step of providing the layer of matrix material in the form of a flat sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of furnishing includes the step of providing the layer of matrix material in the form of a curved sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix material is a metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix material is an intermetallic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix material is a ceramic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 1, including the additional steps, after the step of placing, of furnishing a second layer of a second matrix material overlying the layer of matrix material and the reinforcement lying in the groove; forming a second groove in the second matrix-material layer using a laser to remove material from the second matrix-material layer in the form of a groove; and placing a second reinforcement into the second groove.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the second matrix material and the first matrix material are of the same composition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the second reinforcement and the first reinforcement are of the same composition.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for manufacturing a composite material comprising the steps of: furnishing a layer of a matrix material; smoothing the surface of the matrix-material layer using a laser to melt and densify the surface of the matrix-material layer; forming a groove in the matrix-material layer to remove material from the layer of matrix material in the form of a groove; placing a reinforcement into the groove; furnishing a second layer of a second matrix material overlying the layer of matrix material and the reinforcement lying in the groove; smoothing the surface of the second matrix-material layer using a laser to melt and densify the surface of the second matrix-material layer; forming a second groove in the second matrix-material layer using a laser to remove material from the second matrix-material layer in the form of a groove; and placing a second reinforcement into the second groove.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for manufacturing a composite material comprising the steps of: furnishing a layer of a matrix material; smoothing the surface of the matrix-material layer using a laser to melt and densify the surface of the matrix-material layer; forming a groove in the matrix-material layer to remove material from the layer of matrix material in the form of a groove; placing a reinforcement into the groove; furnishing a second layer of a second matrix material overlying the layer of matrix material and the reinforcement lying in the groove; smoothing the surface of the second matrix-material layer using a laser to melt and densify the surface of the second matrix-material layer; forming a second groove in the second matrix-material layer using a laser to remove material from the second matrix-material layer in the form of a groove; and placing a second reinforcement into the second groove.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the matrix material and the second matrix material are each selected from the group consisting of an intermetallic and a ceramic.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
A composite material prepared by the method of claim 18.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said reinforcement is a fiber.
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) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |