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US 2007/0028432 A1Published application
Apparatus and method for separating composite panels into metal skins and polymer cores
AssigneeAlcoa Inc.
InventorsJames Evans, William May, Joe Peace, Charles Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Composite panels are separated into their component materials of metal skins and polymer cores by dimpling the metal skins to create stresses between the metal skins and polymer cores, heating the metal skins to partially separate them from the polymer core, and then pulling the metal skins away from the polymer core.
Claims27
A method of separating a metal skin of a composite material from a polymer core, the method comprising:
- deforming the metal skin;
- heating the metal skin;
- and
- separating the metal skin from the polymer core.
1 more element
An apparatus for separating a metal skin of a composite material from a polymer core, the apparatus comprising:
- a pair of deforming rolls, each deforming roller having a plurality of protrusions extending from its circumference.
- a heat source;
- and
- a pair of separating rolls, each separating roller having a plurality of teeth extending from its circumference.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.