Method of bonding fibers to form a composite structure
AssigneeIndemnis, Inc.
InventorsAlan Erickson, Mackinzie Banbury
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for bonding fibers includes providing a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer positioned below the first fiber layer to bond the first fiber layer with the second fiber layer. The method may also include providing a first additive layer. The first additive layer is located between the first fiber layer and the second fiber layer. Then, the method may further include activating the first additive layer by directing energy at the first additive layer.
Claims30
A method comprising:
- providing a first fiber layer comprising an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, the first fiber layer having a first side and a second side;
- providing a second fiber layer having a first side and a second side and positioning the second fiber layer to have the first side facing the second side of the first fiber layer, wherein the second fiber layer comprises a UHMWPE fiber;
- overlapping a portion of the second side of the first fiber layer and a portion of the first side of the second fiber layer to create a seam;
- forming a composite structure at the seam by RF welding the first and second fiber layers together at the seam.
A method for bonding Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, the method comprising:
- providing a first UHMWPE fiber layer having a first side and a second side;
- providing a second UHMWPE fiber layer having a first side and a second side and positioning a portion of the first side of the second UHMWPE fiber layer adjacent a portion of the second side of the first UHMWPE fiber layer to form a seam area;
- and
- directing energy at the seam area to bond together the portions of the first and second UHMWPE layers that form the seam area.
A product comprising:
- a first fiber layer comprising a UHMWPE fiber;
- a second fiber layer located adjacent the first fiber layer, wherein the second fiber layer comprises a UHMWPE fiber, and a portion of the second fiber layer overlaps a portion of the first fiber layer to create a seam;
- a composite structure formed at the seam wherein the first UEMWPE fiber layer and the second UEMWPE fiber layer and are bonded together in response to applied energy.
A product, made by a process comprising:
- providing a first fiber layer comprising a UEMWPE fiber;
- providing a second fiber layer adjacent to the first fiber layer, wherein the second fiber layer comprises a UEMWPE fiber;
- providing a first additive layer;
- and
- activating the first additive layer by directing energy at the first additive layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.