Hybrid three-dimensional woven/laminated struts for composite structural applications
AssigneeAlbany Engineered Composites, Inc.
InventorsJonathan Goering, Brian Coffenberry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A woven preform used to reinforce a composite structure which includes a central portion having a plurality of interwoven layers. The preform also includes first and second end portions having a plurality of independent woven layers that are integrally woven with the plurality of interwoven layers in the central portion and which extend along the entire length the preform. Interspersed between the plurality of independent woven layers in the first and second end portions are bias plies. The first and second end portions can have through thickness reinforcements comprising reinforcement fibers that traverse through the independent woven layers and the bias plies, locking them together.
Claims42
A woven preform used to reinforce a composite structure comprising:
- a central portion having a plurality of interwoven layers;
- a first end portion having a plurality of independent woven layers;
- and
- a second end portion having a plurality of independent woven layers;
- wherein plies of said plurality of independent woven layers extend through the entire length of said preform, wherein said plies are integrally woven in said central portion to form a three dimensional fabric construction;
- and
- wherein said plies are independently woven in said end portions to form a stack of woven fabric;
- wherein bias plies are interspersed between said plurality of independent woven layers in said first and second end portions,
- and wherein the first and/or second end portions have through thickness reinforcement comprising reinforcement fibers that traverse the independent woven layers and the bias plies.
A woven preform used to reinforce a composite structure comprising:
- a column portion having a plurality of interwoven layers;
- and
- a lug end portion having a plurality of independent woven layers, wherein plies of said plurality of independent woven layers extend through the entire length of said preform, wherein said plies are integrally woven in said column portion to form a three dimensional fabric construction;
- and
- wherein said plies are independently woven in said end portion to form a stack of woven fabric;
- wherein bias plies are interspersed between said plurality of independent woven layers in said lug end portion;
- and wherein the lug end portion has through thickness reinforcement comprising reinforcement fibers that traverse the independent woven layers and the bias plies.
A method of manufacturing a woven preform used to reinforce a composite structure comprising the steps of:
- weaving a plurality of layers together to form a monolithic central portion;
- weaving a plurality of independent layers to form a first end portion;
- weaving a plurality of independent layers to form a second end portion;
- wherein plies of said plurality of independent woven layers extend through the entire length of said preform, wherein said plies are integrally woven in said central portion to form a three dimensional fabric construction;
- and
- interspersing bias plies between said plurality of independent woven layers in said first and said second end portions;
- and
- tufting or stitching the independent layers and the bias plies using reinforcement fibers in said first and/or second end portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.