Shadow boundary process for the continuous radiant cure of composites
AssigneeGlobal Thermal Conditioning, Inc.
InventorCharles R. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for the production of fiber reinforced palstic composites, in which a continuously moving array of fibers is impregnated with resin and fast cured as it passes through a shadow boundary created by a source of radiant energy such as ultraviolet light. The method is useful for the production of axial composites such as tubes, pipes, conduits, ducts and the like, which may be created without mandrels by passing the array of fibers through closed dies. The method is also useful with open or rolling dies to create nonaxial composites such as wall panels, guard rails, vehicle body parts, and the like.
Claims34
A method for producing a fiber/resin composite comprising the steps of preparing an array of fibers, feeding said array against and beyond a forming die, impregnating said array with a radiant curable resin by introducing said resin into the array at a point adjacent said die, and directing rays from a source of radiant energy against said die to form a shadow boundary adjacent said die, whereby the said impregnated array is rapidly cured upon passing through said shadow boundary.
A method for producing a tubular fiber/resin composite comprising the steps of braiding fibers to produce a braided tube, feeding said tube through a circular forming die, impregnating the fibers of said braided tube with radiant curable resin by introducing said resin through said die into said tube while still within said die, and directing rays from a source of radiant energy against said die to form a shadow boundary intersecting said impregnated tube at a point within said die, whereby the said resin impregnated fiber tube is rapidly cured upon passing through said shadow boundary.
A method for producing a fiber/resin composite comprising the steps of moving an array of oriented fibers against and beyond an open die which is positioned transversely to the path of travel of said array, impregnating said array with a radiant curable resin by introducing said resin into the array while it moves through said die, and directing rays from a source of radiant energy against said die to form a shadow boundary adjacent said die, whereby the said impregnated array is rapidly cured upon passing through said shadow boundary.
A method of applying a fiber/resin composite layer to a surface comprising the steps of moving a rolling die along said surface, continuously feeding a sheet of fibers into the leading bite between said roller and said surface, impregnating said sheet with a radiant curable resin by injecting said resin into said sheet across the width of said sheet adjacent said leading bite, and directing rays from a source of radiant energy against said rolling die to form a shadow boundary across the width of said sheet adjacent said die, whereby the said impregnated sheet is rapidly cured and adhered to said surface upon passing through said shadow boundary.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.