Composite structures with embedded electrical grids
AssigneeWabash National, L.P.
InventorAndrzej Wylezinski
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Abstract
A composite structure of a cargo body and a method of making the same are disclosed. The composite structure includes at least one electrical grid embedded within fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) layers. The embedded electrical grid includes a plurality of conductive fibers and a plurality of insulating fibers integrated into a polymer matrix of the FRP layers. The embedded electrical grid may be used for power distribution, structural strengthening and stiffness, and/or puncture detection.
Claims24
A laminated composite structure of a cargo body, the composite structure comprising:
- a core layer;
- an outer fiber-reinforced polymer layer coupled to the core layer;
- an inner fiber-reinforced polymer layer coupled to the core layer;
- and
- at least one electrical grid embedded within one or more of the outer and inner fiber-reinforced polymer layers, wherein the at least one electrical grid includes:
- a plurality of horizontal conductive fibers;
- a plurality of vertical conductive fibers;
- a plurality of horizontal insulating fibers that extend between adjacent horizontal conductive fibers;
- and
- a plurality of vertical insulating fibers that extend between adjacent vertical conductive fibers.
A laminated composite structure of a cargo body, the composite structure comprising:
- a core layer;
- an outer fiber-reinforced polymer layer coupled to the core layer;
- an inner fiber-reinforced polymer layer coupled to the core layer;
- a first surface;
- a first electrically conductive element embedded within the composite structure and extending along the first surface;
- a second surface substantially perpendicular to the first surface;
- a second electrically conductive element extending along the second surface;
- a corner electrical connector in electrical communication between the first and second electrically conductive elements.
A cargo body comprising:
- a composite panel including at least one electrical grid embedded in a fiber-reinforced polymer;
- a power source;
- a control system;
- an electrical component in communication with the power source;
- and
- a sensor in communication with the control system;
- wherein the electrical grid is configured to perform at least one of the following functions:
- distributing power from the power source to the electrical component;
- communicating a signal from the sensor to the control system;
- and
- detecting a puncture in the composite panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.