Method and apparatus for preform consistency

#This invention relates in general to the field of composites and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for preform consistency.

#One technique utilized in the fabricating composites is resin transfer molding (RTM). RTM generally involves placing fiber or preform reinforcements between mold pieces and then injecting resin or mold between the mold pieces. Both the mold and resin may be heated as needed, depending on the particular application. After the resin or mold has cured, the mold may be opened to retrieve the generated composite, which comprises a combination of the fiber reinforcements and mold.

#According to one embodiment of the present invention a method of creating a composite with an object having a central axis is provided which comprises wrapping a first fabric layer around the object in one of a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction around the central axis of the object. A second fabric layer is wrapped over the first fabric layer. The second fabric layer is wrapped around the object in the other of the clockwise or the counterclockwise direction around the central axis. The object is placed in a mold and resin is injected into the mold to form the composite.

#To provide a more complete understanding of the present invention and features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts, in which:

#FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a clockwise wrapping of radome fabric around a molding object, according to an embodiment of the invention;

#FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a counterclockwise wrapping of the radome fabric around the molding object, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

#It should be understood at the outset that although example implementations of embodiments of the invention are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present invention should in no way be limited to the example implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

#In resin transfer molding (RTM), typical resins include, but are not limited to, epoxy, vinyl ester, methyl methacrylate, polyester, phenolic, polymers of the preceding, arimid, carbon, synthetic fibers, other suitable resin materials, and combinations of the preceding. The resin or mold may additionally include fillers such as alumnum trihydratesm, calcium carbonate, and other suitable fillers. Typical fiber reinforcements include, but are not limited to, glass, carbon, arimid, other suitable fiber reinforcement materials, or combinations of the preceding.

#In environments where electromagnetic communication occur through the composites, the composites may be made of radome material. The terms “radome”, “radome material”, and variations thereof may generally refer to any material that is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio waves, other communicative waves, or the like). Such radome material in some embodiments may protect a particular object from environmental elements. Thus, in some embodiments, radome materials may facilitate protection of an object while at least partially allowing electromagnetic waves to pass therethrough.