High pressure hollow process for manufacturing composite structures
Patent 5853651 Issued on December 29, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date: 
August 28, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
August 28, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesInventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 711181 filed on 08/28/1996US Classes:264/512, Producing hollow work or a tubular article264/221, With destruction of pattern or mold to dissociate264/250, By separately molding different article portions264/257, One component is a fibrous or textile sheet, web, or batt264/258, Joining a plurality of superposed fibrous or textile layers264/314, Utilizing fluid-expansible mold264/317, Removing mold by destruction264/516By insertion or application of a preformExaminersPrimary: Silbaugh, Jan H.Assistant: Gray, Robin S. Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesB29C 044/06B28B 007/30 AbstractA method of fabricating complex hollow composite structures from laminates of fiber reinforced synthetic resins. The structures are fully monocoque tubes with no seams. The tubes are manufactured by wrapping a hollow semi-rigid inner mandrel made of thermoplastic material such as polystyrene or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene co-polymer) with layers of composite sheets. The sheets are made from high-strength fibers impregnated with thermosetting or thermoplastic resins.The laminated mandrel is placed in a mold, heated and inflated to a predetermined pressure. The pressure can range from 20-200 psig and even higher, while the curing temperature can range from 200°-600° F. The pressure generated by the expanding core produces a highly consolidated composite structure that has fewer voids, a more uniform thickness, and an increased fiber content compared to hollow composites made by other fabrication methods.Field of SearchUtilizing fluid-expansible moldRemoving mold by destruction One component is a fibrous or textile sheet, web, or batt Joining a plurality of superposed fibrous or textile layers By insertion or application of a preform Producing hollow work or a tubular article With destruction of pattern or mold to dissociate By separately molding different article portions | |
