In-situ compaction during z-fiber reinforcement of dry fiber preforms
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorsKatherine Emily Waugh, Kyle Rosenbrock
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for in-situ compaction during z-fiber reinforcement of a dry fiber preform is provided. The method includes positioning a needling assembly adjacent to the dry fiber preform, compacting, via a compaction foot of the needing assembly, the dry fiber preform in a first direction, and needling, via a set of barbed needles, at least a portion of the dry fiber preform beneath a surface of the compaction foot in the first direction.
Claims16
A method for in-situ compaction during z-fiber reinforcement of a dry fiber preform, the method comprising:
- positioning a needling assembly adjacent to the dry fiber preform;
- compacting, via a compaction foot of the needling assembly, the dry fiber preform in a first direction;
- and
- needling, via a set of barbed needles, at least a portion of the dry fiber preform beneath a surface of the compaction foot in the first direction, wherein the compaction foot is lifted and placed each time a different portion of the dry fiber preform is needled.
A system for in-situ compaction during z-fiber reinforcement of a dry fiber preform, the system comprising:
- a compaction foot, wherein the compaction foot is configured to compact the dry fiber preform in a first direction and wherein the compaction foot is a passively spring-controlled compaction foot;
- and
- a needling head, wherein the needling head comprises a set of barbed needles and wherein the needling head is configured to needle at least a portion of the dry fiber preform beneath a surface of the compaction foot in the first direction using the set of barbed needles, wherein the compaction foot is lifted and placed each time a different portion of the dry fiber preform is needled.
A system for in-situ compaction during z-fiber reinforcement of a dry fiber preform, the system comprising:
- a compaction foot, wherein the compaction foot is configured to compact the dry fiber preform in a first direction and wherein actuation of the compaction foot is actively programmed;
- and
- a needling head, wherein the needling head comprises a set of barbed needles and wherein the needling head is configured to needle at least a portion of the dry fiber preform beneath a surface of the compaction foot in the first direction using the set of barbed needles, wherein the compaction foot is lifted and placed each time a different portion of the dry fiber preform is needled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.