Methods to improve compression during microwave heating
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorsUmesh N. Gandhi, Michael Paul Rowe, Yuyang Song
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for microwave melting of fiber mixtures to form composite materials include placing the fiber mixture in a receptacle located in a microwave oven. The methods further include microwave heating the mixture, causing a heat activated compression mechanism to automatically increase compressive force on the mixture, thereby eliminating air and void volumes. The heat activated compression mechanism can include a shape memory alloy wire connecting first and second compression brackets, or one or more ceramic blocks configured to increase in volume and thereby increase compression on the mixture.
Claims12
A method for forming a composite material having reinforcing carbon fibers enmeshed in a thermoplastic matrix, the method comprising:
- providing a mixture of carbon fibers and thermoplastic fibers in a receptacle having a temperature responsive compression element, configured to exert compressive force on the mixture, and comprising at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) wire;
- and
- microwave heating the mixture and the temperature responsive compression element, causing the thermoplastic to melt, and the temperature responsive compression element to exert progressively increasing compression on the mixture.
A system for microwave melting a mixture of carbon fiber and thermoplastic fiber to form a composite material having a thermoplastic matrix impregnated with reinforcing carbon fiber, the system comprising:
- a microwave oven;
- a receptacle positioned within the microwave oven, the receptacle configured to contain the mixture and including first and second compression brackets configured to apply compressive force to the mixture;
- and
- at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) wire connected to each of the first and second compression brackets, and configured to increase compressive force applied by the first and second compression brackets to the mixture in response to microwave heating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.