Pi-preform with variable width clevis
AssigneeAlbany Engineered Composites, Inc.
InventorsKenneth Ouellette, Jonathan Goering, Brock Gilbertson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A woven preform for a reinforced composite material, which may be woven flat and folded into shape. The preform has a three-dimensional weave architecture with fill fibers woven to provide layer-to-layer interlocking of layers of warp fiber as well as interlocking of fibers within each layer. At least two legs extend from a base, the base and legs each having at least two layers of warp fibers. The legs may be parallel or angled to each other, or may have a variable width clevis in between. The outer ends of the base and/or the legs preferably have tapers formed from terminating layers of warp fibers in a stepped pattern.
Claims18
A method of forming a variable width clevis in a woven preform, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a plurality of adjacent layers, each layer having a plurality of warp fibers, the warp fibers being parallel to each other and forming vertical columns;
- (b) weaving a plurality of fill fibers with the layers of warp fibers to form a base and two or more legs extending from the base, wherein the fill fibers interlock the layers of the base, the layers of each leg, and the warp fibers within each layer;
- and
- (c) selectively dropping one or more warp fibers out of a first portion of the preform that forms a first leg, thereby widening the width of a clevis formed between said two or more legs, or selectively adding one or more warp fibers into said first portion of the preform, thereby narrowing the width of said clevis formed between said two or more legs or doing both wherein the width of the clevis varies at least along the length of the preform.
A woven preform with a variable width clevis, the preform comprising:
- a plurality of adjacent layers, each layer having a plurality of warp fibers, the warp fibers being parallel to each other and forming vertical columns;
- a plurality of fill fibers woven among the layers of warp fibers to form a base and two or more legs extending from the base, the base and each leg being formed from at least two layers of warp fibers, the fill fibers interlocking the layers of the base, the layers of each leg, and the warp fibers within each layer;
- and
- a clevis formed between said two or more legs, wherein the width of the clevis varies at least along the length of the preform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.