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US 10,647,083 B2Granted
Panel structure
AssigneeZephyros, Inc.
InventorsDavid Carlson, Brandon Madaus, Matthew Harthcock, Kearney Barton, Charles L. Taylor, Jason Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A panel structure and a method of forming the panel structure are disclosed. The panel structure typically includes at least one panel associated with a material. The panel structure has been found particularly advantageous for use as an interior panel of an airplane.
Claims19
An interior panel structure of a transportation vehicle, comprising:
- a first panel formed at least partially of a plastic material;
- a second panel formed at least partially of a porous material, the second panel being an outer panel that is closer to a body of the transportation vehicle than the first panel while the first panel is closer to an interior cabin of the transportation vehicle;
- and
- an activatable material intermediate the first panel and the second panel, the activatable material softens, expands, and cures upon exposure to heat;
- wherein a volume is defined between the first panel and the second panel and wherein the activatable material when activated, fills from about 5% to about 90% of the volume, and
- wherein the interior panel structure, when assembled and in use, provides at least one functional attribute selected from reinforcement, baffling, sound absorption, sound attenuation, baffling or sealing.
3 more elements
A method of forming an interior panel structure of a transportation vehicle, comprising:
- providing a first panel formed at least partially of a plastic material, the first panel being an inner panel at least partially defining an interior cabin of the transportation vehicle;
- providing a second panel formed at least partially of a porous material, the second panel being an outer panel that is closer to a body of the transportation vehicle than the first panel;
- locating an activatable material that softens, expands, and cures upon exposure to heat and a support intermediate the first panel and the second panel;
- and
- exposing the activatable material to an elevated temperature for activating the activatable material to expand and form a foam whereby the interior panel structure, when assembled and in use, provides a functional attribute selected from reinforcement, baffling, sound absorption, sound attenuation, baffling or sealing to the panel structure,
- wherein a volume is defined between the first panel and the second panel and wherein the activatable material when activated, fills from about 5% to about 90% of the volume.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.