General Electric Company

Timothy Daniel Kostar

Suresh Subramanian

Douglas Melton Carper

Thomas Walter Rentz

James Dale Steibel

James Dale Steible

A three-dimensional preform, composite components formed with the preform, and processes for producing the preform and composite materials. The three-dimensional preform includes first and second sets of tows containing filaments. Each tow of the first set has a predetermined polygonal cross-sectional shape and is embedded within a temporary matrix. The preform is fabricated from the first and second sets of tows, in which the second set of tows are transverse to the first set of tows, adjacent tows of the second set are spaced apart to define interstitial regions therebetween, and the polygonal cross-sectional shapes of the first set of tows are substantially congruent to the cross-sectional shapes of the interstitial regions so as to substantially fill the interstitial regions.

Preforms, composite components formed therewith, and processes therefor

A preform architecture and process for producing composite materials, and particularly CMC components. The process entails producing a composite component having a matrix material reinforced with a three-dimensional preform. The process includes producing first and second sets of tows containing filaments. Each tow of the first set has a predetermined cross-sectional shape and is embedded within a temporary matrix material formed of a material that is not the matrix material or a precursor of the matrix material. The preform is then fabricated from the first and second sets of tows, in which the second set of tows are transverse to the first set of tows, adjacent tows of the second set are spaced apart to define interstitial regions therebetween, and the cross-sectional shapes of the first set of tows are substantially congruent to the cross-sectional shapes of the interstitial regions so as to substantially fill the interstitial regions.

Process of producing a composite component and intermediate product thereof

A method for machining a component. The method includes providing a machining apparatus configured to induce vibrations such that a vibration direction of the machining apparatus is substantially aligned with respect to a machining direction of the component, and vibrating the machining apparatus in the vibration direction to machine the component in the machining direction.

Method and apparatus for ultrasonic machining

An orthogonal stitch-weave method and fiber architecture. The architecture allows near-net-shape composite preforms to be fabricated, thereby reducing costs associated with complex preform shapes and increasing desired strengths of the composite.

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Nashua, NH, United States of America

Timothy Daniel Kostar