# US 11,440,285 B2 · Method of quantifying surface resin > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,285 B2 - Document ID: US11440285B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/866,288 - Filed: 2020-05-04 - Published: 2021-11-04 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-04 - Assignees: Textron Innovations Inc. - Applicants: Bell Textron Inc. - Inventors: Suvankar Mishra - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440285B2 ## CPC - B32B 3/30: characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. {hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs (apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26)} - B29B 11/00: Making preforms (B29C61/06 takes precedence {; combined with blow-moulding B29C49/02, with thermoforming B29C51/02; making preforms for manufacturing of light guides B29D11/00721}) - B29B 11/16: comprising fillers or reinforcement {(non-woven fabrics per se D04H1/00, D04H3/00)} - B32B 5/02: characterised by structural features of a {fibrous or filamentary} layer {(layer formed of metallic wires B32B15/02; layer formed of natural mineral fibres B32B19/02; layer formed of wood fibres B32B21/02)} - B32B 5/12: characterised by the relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of {different layers, e.g. the fibres or filaments being parallel or perpendicular to each other} - B32B 5/26: another layer {next to it} also being fibrous or filamentary {(relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12)} - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 27/12: next to a fibrous or filamentary layer - G01N 5/02: by absorbing or adsorbing components of a material and determining change of weight of the adsorbent, e.g. determining moisture content {(absorption bulbs B01D53/00)} - B32B 2250/02: 2 layers - B32B 2250/20: All layers being fibrous or filamentary - B32B 2250/24: All layers being polymeric - B32B 2260/023: Two or more layers - B32B 2260/046: Synthetic resin - B32B 2262/0269: Aromatic polyamide fibres - B32B 2262/10: Inorganic fibres - B32B 2262/101: Glass fibres - B32B 2262/106: Carbon fibres, e.g. graphite fibres - B32B 2305/076: Prepregs - B32B 2307/748: Releasability - B32B 2603/00: Vanes, blades, propellers, rotors with blades - B32B 2605/18: Aircraft - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B29B: PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract An example of a method of manufacturing a component from a composite prepreg includes collecting a specimen from the composite prepreg and quantifying an amount of surface resin of the specimen by submerging the specimen in a container containing a fluid to determine a fluid pickup percentage. Responsive to a determination that the fluid pickup percentage exceeds a predefined threshold value, forming a component from the composite prepreg. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of quantifying surface resin of a composite prepreg, the method comprising: collecting a first specimen from the composite prepreg; weighing, for a first time, the first specimen to obtain a dry weight of the first specimen; submerging the first specimen in a container containing a fluid; removing the first specimen from the container; weighing, for a second time, the first specimen to obtain a wet weight of the first specimen; calculating a fluid pickup percentage of the first specimen using the dry weight of the first specimen and the wet weight of the first specimen; comparing the fluid pickup percentage to a predefined threshold value; responsive to a determination that the fluid pickup percentage is greater than the predefined threshold value, classifying the composite prepreg as possessing sufficient tackiness for use; and responsive to a determination that the fluid pickup percentage is less than or equal to the predefined threshold value, classifying the composite prepreg as possessing insufficient tackiness for use. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising, if the fluid pickup percentage is greater than the predefined threshold value, using the composite prepreg to make a component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising preparing a second specimen from the composite prepreg and performing the first weighing, the submerging, the removing, the second weighing, the calculating, and the comparing steps with the second specimen. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the submerging comprises lowering the first specimen into the container at a rate of between 0.5 and 1.5 cm/s. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first specimen is submerged in the container for between 25 and 30 minutes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the submerging comprises lowering the first specimen into the container with fibers of a first layer of the first specimen being oriented normal to a surface of the fluid and fibers of a second layer of the first specimen being oriented parallel to a surface of the fluid. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises water. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the water is deionized water having a pH of between 6.7 and 7.0. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising, after removing the first specimen from the container and before the second weighing, removing excess fluid from the first specimen. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the predefined threshold value is about 4%. ### Claim 11 A method of manufacturing a component from a composite prepreg, the method comprising: collecting a specimen from the composite prepreg; quantifying an amount of surface resin of the specimen by submerging the specimen in a container containing a fluid to determine a fluid pickup percentage; responsive to a determination that the fluid pickup percentage exceeds a predefined threshold value, concluding that the composite prepreg possesses sufficient tackiness for use; and responsive to the concluding, forming a component from the composite prepreg. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, comprising obtaining an additional specimen from the composite prepreg and performing the quantifying step with the additional specimen. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the submerging comprises lowering the specimen into the container at a rate of between 0.5 and 1.5 cm/s. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the specimen is submerged in the container for between 25 and 30 minutes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the submerging comprises lowering the specimen into the container with fibers of a first layer of the specimen being oriented normal to a surface of the fluid and fibers of a second layer of the specimen being oriented parallel to a surface of the fluid. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the fluid comprises water. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the water is deionized water having a pH of between 6.7 and 7.0. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the predefined threshold value is about 4%.