Rolls-royce Corporation

James Keith Lander

Robert C Backhouse

Michael Bowyer

Peter Calvert

James Bowyer

A composite component comprising fibres embedded in a matrix material. A plurality of pins extend through the matrix material. Each pin of the plurality of pins comprises a hollow bore such that the bore of each pin defines a plurality of holes in the composite component.

Composite component with hollow reinforcing pins

A method of reinforcing a fiber reinforced resin matrix composite structure, the method including: providing a composite structure having one or more holes formed therein, and feeding a reinforcement rod through a passageway having one or more walls defining an inlet to the passageway. The inlet to the passageway is dimensioned to prevent a rod having a maximum cross sectional dimension greater than a predetermined dimension from passing through the passageway. In the event of the rod impacting the wall defining the inlet to the passageway, operation of the rig is stopped. In the event of the rod passing through the passageway without impacting the wall defining the inlet to the passageway, a portion of the rod is inserted into a hole in a composite structure.

Method of manufacturing a composite component

A laminated composite material comprising a polymeric matrix material and plurality of fiber layers is heated to a first pre-determined temperature which is defined as the temperature at which there is a first pre-determined time interval until the matrix material reaches its gel point. The first pre-determined time interval being defined as the time required to insert the required quantity of through-thickness reinforcement fibers into the laminated material. A plurality of holes is formed in the laminated material; each hole being formed by inserting a needle having a conical tip, into the laminated material. A reinforcing element is then inserted into each of a respective one of the plurality of holes.

Growing community of inventors

Bristol, United Kingdom

James Keith Lander