Multi-layer duct and related manufacturing process
OwnerDaniele Capoccello, Francesco Innocenteinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-layer duct for air distribution in air conditioning systems, in particular, yet not exclusively, for aircraft vehicles, is made through a process providing an overlapping of layers of advanced composite materials, comprising: one substantially fluid tight polymer film, defining the inner wall of the duct; at least one stiffening structural layer, formed by a sheet of structural fibres preimpregnated in a polymer matrix of thermosetting resin, enveloping said polymer film; and one or more optional additional functional layers of structural and/or functional fibres, preimpregnated in a polymer matrix of thermosetting resin.
Claims25
A multi-layer duct for air distribution in air conditioning systems, in particular, yet not exclusively, for aircraft vehicles, made of an overlapping of layers comprising:
- one substantially fluid-tight polymer film, defining the inner wall of the duct;
- at least one stiffening structural layer, formed by a sheet of structural fibres preimpregnated with thermosetting resin, enveloping said polymer film;
- and
- one or more optional additional functional layers of prepreg with structural and/or functional fibres.
A multi-layer duct for air distribution in air conditioning systems, in particular, yet not exclusively, for aircraft vehicles, made of an overlapping of layers comprising:
- one substantially fluid tight polymer film, defining the inner wall of the duct;
- at least one stiffening structural layer, formed by a sheet of structural fibres preimpregnated with thermosetting resin, enveloping said polymer film;
- at least one first electrically conductive functional layer, formed by a sheet comprising conductive fibres preimpregnated with thermosetting resin;
- and
- at least one second electrically insulating functional layer, formed by a sheet comprising appropriate insulating functional fibres, preimpregnated with thermosetting resin.
A process for manufacturing a multi-layer duct for air distribution in air conditioning systems, in particular, yet not exclusively, for aircraft vehicles, comprising the steps of:
- arranging in sequence, on a mandrel of appropriate shape and section, a substantially fluid-tight polymer film, defining the inner wall of the multi-layer duct, at least one stiffening structural layer, formed by a sheet of structural fibres preimpregnated with thermosetting resin, enveloping said polymer film, and one or more optional functional layers with additional structural and/or functional fibres, preimpregnated with thermosetting resin;
- extracting air and other gases or volatile substances among said layers by vacuum application;
- subjecting said layers to heating at a preset temperature and for a preset period of time, holding said vacuum application to extract gases or any volatile substances generated because of the heating;
- cooling said layers;
- and
- extracting or otherwise removing said mandrel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.