Textile Fabrics and Methods of Manufacture
OwnerChristopher Gabriel Williamsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Tows of fiber are mingled with resin, wrapped in layers on a mandrel, and the layers are adhered to each other and cured on the mandrel. After all layers have been wrapped and adhered to each other and cured, thereby forming a fabric panel, the fabric panel is cut along the length of the mandrel and peeled from the mandrel. The length of the fabric panel then is wrapped around a roll. In other words, the roll is shorter than the mandrel and, with respect to the fabric panel, the roll is oriented perpendicular to the mandrel. Fibers in different layers of the fabric panel may be disposed at different angles with respect to the length of the fabric panel. Two, three, four, five, or more layers may be provided on the fabric panel.
Claims23
A method for making a fabric panel, the method comprising:
- wrapping a first layer of fibers around a mandrel at a first angle to the axis of the roll;
- wrapping a second layer of fibers around the mandrel at a second angle to the axis of the mandrel;
- mingling resin with the layers of fibers;
- forming the fabric panel by curing the resin on the mandrel;
- unwrapping the fabric panel from the mandrel.
An apparatus for making a fabric panel, the apparatus comprising:
- a chassis;
- a mandrel that is rotatably mounted on the chassis;
- a mandrel motor that is connected between the chassis and the mandrel to drive rotation of the mandrel on the chassis;
- a carriage that is movably mounted on the chassis;
- one or more fiber dispensers that are rotatably mounted on the carriage;
- a carriage motor that is connected between the carriage and the chassis to drive motion of the carriage;
- and
- a controller that is connected with the mandrel motor and the carriage motor to coordinate rotation of the mandrel with motion of the carriage.
A product comprising:
- a roll;
- a first layer of resin and fibers in which the fibers are wrapped around the roll at a first non-zero angle to the axis of the roll;
- a second layer of resin and fibers in which the fibers are wrapped around the roll at a second non-zero angle to the axis of the roll;
- wherein the first layer and the second layer are adhered to each other.
A ballistic clothing product comprising:
- a first layer of resin and fibers in which the fibers extend at a first angle to a major axis of the product;
- a second layer of resin and fibers in which the fibers extend at a second non-zero angle to a major axis of the product;
- a third layer of resin and fibers in which the fibers extend at a third non-zero angle to a major axis of the product;
- a fourth layer of resin and fibers in which the fibers extend at a fourth non-zero angle to a major axis of the product;
- and
- a fifth layer of resin and fibers in which the fibers extend at a fifth non-zero angle to a major axis of the product;
- wherein the first and second layers are adhered to each other, the third layer is adhered to the second layer, the fourth layer is adhered to the third layer, and the fifth layer is adhered to the fourth layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.