Inflatables-based process for creating multi-layer internal reinforcements
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsNilesh D. Mankame, Ruoyu Sun, Girish Krishnan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A structural component for a vehicle and a process and system for forming the structural component. A first cavity is formed in a first hollow passage between a first bladder and an interior surface of a component forming the structural component. A first structural reinforcement layer is formed in the first cavity by filling the first cavity with a first polymer resin and foaming the first polymer resin to form a first polymer resin foam. A second cavity is formed in the first hollow passage and a second structural reinforcement layer is formed in the second cavity by filling the second cavity with a second polymer resin and foaming the second polymer resin to form a second polymer resin foam.
Claims20
A process of forming a structural component for a vehicle, comprising:
- forming a first cavity in a first hollow passage between a first bladder and an interior surface of a component;
- forming a first structural reinforcement layer in the first cavity by filling the first cavity with a first polymer resin;
- foaming the first polymer resin to form a first polymer resin foam;
- forming a second cavity in the first hollow passage;
- forming a second structural reinforcement layer in the second cavity by filling the second cavity with a second polymer resin;
- and
- foaming the second polymer resin to form a second polymer resin foam.
A system for forming a multilayer structural component for a vehicle, comprising:
- a component including a first hollow passage defined by an interior surface of the component;
- a first inflatable bladder insertable into the first hollow passage of the component, wherein the first inflatable bladder and the interior surface of the component define a first cavity within the first hollow passage;
- a first foamable polymer resin for forming a first structural reinforcement layer in the first cavity;
- a second inflatable bladder insertable into the first hollow passage and through the first structural reinforcement layer, wherein the second inflatable bladder defines a second cavity within the first hollow passage;
- and
- a second foamable polymer resin for forming a structural reinforcement layer on the first structural reinforcement layer in the second cavity.
A structural component for a vehicle, comprising:
- a component including an interior surface defining a first hollow passage;
- a first structural reinforcement contacting the interior surface of the component, the first structural reinforcement formed of a first polymer resin foam;
- and
- a second structural reinforcement contacting the first structural reinforcement, the second structural reinforcement formed of a second polymer resin foam,
- wherein the first structural reinforcement and the second structural reinforcement form a multilayer structural reinforcement, and the component defines a cross-section and the multilayer structural reinforcement partially fills the cross-section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.