US5403537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for forming composite structures
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1993-09-14
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Granted: 1995-04-04
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Expires: 2013-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing advanced composite structures includes the assembly of a number of layers of fibrous reinforcements into a desired configuration. A vacuum is applied to the reinforcement in order to evacuate any air therefrom and to consolidate the plurality of fibrous reinforcements. Resin is introduced to the reinforcement by using a flow path therethrough having entry and exit points. The vacuum is used to transmit the resin through the reinforcement between the entry and exit points. The resin flows into the reinforcement due to the pressure differential between the evacuated reinforcement and the hydrostatic pressure on the resin as well as the capillary effect on the reinforcement.
Inventors
- 👤 Ellis C. Seal
- 👤 Michael G. Ferrell
- 👤 Venu P. Bodepudi
- 👤 Robert W. Biggs, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:46
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C70/00; B29C70/04; B29C70/28; B29C70/54; B29C70/546; B29C70/547; B29C70/40; B29C70/42; B29C70/44; B29C70/443; B29D; B29D99/00; B29D99/001; B29D99/0014; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of producing composite components comprising the steps of: a) assembling fibrous reinforcements into a desired configuration on a tool body, said reinforcements including a laminate that will define a fiber content, and a resin carrier fabric; b) applying a vacuum to the fibrous reinforcements; c) introducing resin to the fibrous reinforcements by using a flow path therethrough having entry and exit points the resin carrier fabric comprising in part the entry point; d) using the vacuum to transmit the resin through the reinforcement and between the entry and exit points; e) allowing the resin cure; f) wherein in step "c", the resin carrier fabric defines a resin flow path from the entry to the laminate that controls flow to the laminate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of producing composite components comprising the steps of: a) assembling fibrous reinforcements into a desired configuration on a tool body, said reinforcements including a laminate that will define a fiber content, and a resin carrier fabric; b) applying a vacuum to the fibrous reinforcements; c) introducing resin to the fibrous reinforcements by using a flow path therethrough having entry and exit points the resin carrier fabric comprising in part the entry point; d) using the vacuum to transmit the resin through the reinforcement and between the entry and exit points; e) allowing the resin cure; f) wherein in step "c", the resin carrier fabric defines a resin flow path from the entry to the laminate that controls flow to the laminate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the resin is introduced into the reinforcement at an edge portion of the resin carrier fabric and about the periphery thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein flow through the reinforcement is due to the combination of pressure differential between the evacuated reinforcement and the hydrostatic pressure on the resin, and the capillary effect of the reinforcement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of heating the resin prior to step "e".
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of restricting resin flow into the laminate prior to step "e".
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein resin flow is controlled using one or more valves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, 5 or 6 wherein a system of valves and tubes allows restriction of resin flow into laminate and/or change of direction of resin flow out of laminate prior to step "e".
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the resin is heated prior to introduction into the reinforcement.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
29 words
The method of claims 1 or 4 further comprising the step of heating the resin and the fibrous reinforcement prior to an introduction of the resin to the reinforcement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein in step "a" the fibrous reinforcements are assembled upon a tool and covered with at least one layer of flexible material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the layer of flexible material is a layer of film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the tool body is a solid member.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of producing composite component product comprising the steps of: a) assembling multiple layers of fibrous reinforcements into a desired configuration upon a support tool one of the layers of fibrous reinforcement defining a resin carrier fabric that extends beyond the periphery of the other layers, said other layers defining a laminate portion that controls fiber content of the product; b) covering the fibrous reinforcements and tool with a flexible layer to form an envelope that encapsulates the fibrous reinforcements; c) applying a vacuum source to the fibrous reinforcements for evacuating air from the envelope; d) introducing resin to the envelope and fibrous reinforcements by using a flow path therethrough having entry and exit points; e) using the vacuum source to transmit the resin through the reinforcement and between the entry and exit points; and f) allowing the resin to cure; g) wherein in step "e" the resin carrier fabric defines a resin flow path from the entry to the laminate that controls flow to the laminate.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of producing composite component product comprising the steps of: a) assembling multiple layers of fibrous reinforcements into a desired configuration upon a support tool one of the layers of fibrous reinforcement defining a resin carrier fabric that extends beyond the periphery of the other layers, said other layers defining a laminate portion that controls fiber content of the product; b) covering the fibrous reinforcements and tool with a flexible layer to form an envelope that encapsulates the fibrous reinforcements; c) applying a vacuum source to the fibrous reinforcements for evacuating air from the envelope; d) introducing resin to the envelope and fibrous reinforcements by using a flow path therethrough having entry and exit points; e) using the vacuum source to transmit the resin through the reinforcement and between the entry and exit points; and f) allowing the resin to cure; g) wherein in step "e" the resin carrier fabric defines a resin flow path from the entry to the laminate that controls flow to the laminate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the resin is introduced into the reinforcement at the periphery thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 13 wherein resin flow through the reinforcement is due at least in part to the pressure differential across the evacuated reinforcement between the entry and exit points.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 wherein resin flow through the reinforcement is due at least in part to the capillary effect of the reinforcement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of heating the resin prior to step "e".
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the resin is heated prior to introduction into the reinforcement.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
29 words
The method of claims 13 or 18 further comprising the step of heating the resin and the fibrous reinforcement prior to an introduction of the resin to the reinforcement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein in step "a" the fibrous reinforcements and tool are covered with at least one layer of film material to define the envelope.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the layer of film material is a layer of polymeric film.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the tool is a solid member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the tool has a generally flat surface that carries the fibrous reinforcements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the tool has a generally curved surface that carries the fibrous reinforcements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the tool has an irregularly shaped surface that carries the fibrous reinforcements.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of overlaying the laminate with a release film layer having perforations adjacent the exit point and allowing escaping resin to pass therethrough to the exit point.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of overlaying the laminate with a release film layer having perforations adjacent the exit point and allowing escaping resin to pass therethrough to the exit point.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-03 | 1998-10-03 | 1999-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-03 | 2002-10-03 | 2003-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-03 | 2006-10-03 | 2007-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |