Minimal weight composites using open structure
AssigneeAuburn University
InventorsRoy M. Broughton, Jr., David J. Branscomb, David G. Beale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Preforms for open structured (lattice) composite tubular members manufactured from large (i.e. high filament count) prepreg yarns on a conventional maypole braiding machine, and subsequently cured to produce fiber reinforced composites of high strength and light weight.
Claims20
An open structure composite member comprised of a plurality of jacketed yarns, each comprised of a plurality of tows pre-impregnated with resin and defining a core formed from at least twenty thousand (20,000) axially aligned filaments, the tows packed within a jacket, wherein the plurality of jacketed yarns are combined and cured to form an open structure composite member, and wherein the open structure composite member is formed at a rate of at least one meter per minute.
An open structure composite member comprised of a plurality of jacketed yarns each comprised of a plurality of tows pre-impregnated with resin and defining a core formed from at least twenty thousand (20,000) axially aligned filaments, the tows hexagonally packed within a jacket, wherein the plurality of jacketed yarns are combined and cured to form an open structure composite member.
A method of forming an open structure composite member comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of jacketed yarns each comprised of a plurality of tows pre-impregnated with resin and that define a core formed from at least twenty thousand (20,000) axially aligned filaments packed within a jacket;
- combining the plurality of jacketed yarns;
- and
- curing the combined jacketed yarns to form an open structure composite member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.