Composite structural member
AssigneeUniversity of Maine System Board of Trustees
InventorsHabib J. Dagher, Richard F. Nye
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflatable mold assembly for forming a hollow composite construction member that is suitable for use as a building material has a longitudinal axis. The mold assembly further has a flexible, substantially tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity. A reinforcing fabric is positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall. A flexible air-impervious outer layer is positioned concentrically around the fabric, with the bladder wall and the outer layer defining an elongated annular space, and with the fabric being positioned within the elongated annular space.
Claims24
An inflatable mold assembly for forming a hollow composite construction member suitable for use as a building material, the mold assembly having a longitudinal axis, and further having:
- a flexible, substantially tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity, wherein an outer surface of the bladder wall includes one of an array of elongated grooves and an array of elongated ridges and spaces between the elongated ridges;
- reinforcing fabric positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall;
- and
- a flexible air-impervious outer layer positioned concentrically around the fabric, with the bladder wall and the outer layer defining an elongated annular space, with the fabric being positioned within the elongated annular space.
A system for making a rigid hollow composite construction member comprising:
- an inflatable mold assembly for a hollow composite construction member suitable for use as a building material, the inflatable mold assembly being elongated and having a longitudinal axis, and further having:
- a flexible, substantially tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity, wherein an outer surface of the bladder wall includes one of an array of elongated grooves and an array of elongated ridges and spaces between the elongated ridges;
- reinforcing fabric positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall;
- and
- a flexible air-impervious outer layer positioned concentrically around the fabric, with the bladder wall and the outer layer defining an elongated annular space, with the fabric being positioned within the space;
- apparatus for applying tension to the fabric in a longitudinal direction;
- apparatus for introducing a fluid into the cavity to inflate the tubular bladder wall;
- and
- apparatus for infusing the elongated annular space and the fabric with a rigidification material to form a rigid hollow composite construction member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.