The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 23, 2019
Filed:
Jul. 15, 2016
GM Global Technology Operations Llc, Detroit, MI (US);
Hamid G. Kia, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Nicole D. Ellison, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Selina X. Zhao, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
Methods and components produced from carbon fiber pre-impregnated composite precursor materials (pre-preg) having enhanced flowability and moldability are provided. Discontinuous cut regions are introduced into a pre-preg. A sheet of pre-preg may be contacted with a patterned surface having a plurality of non-contiguous staggered cutters, so that the contacting creates discontinuous cuts in the pre-preg. A plurality of staggered discontinuous cut regions are formed in the plurality of continuous carbon fibers that define a first plurality of carbon fibers having a first length and a second plurality of carbon fibers having a second distinct length. The patterned surface may be provided on a cutter device that is a roller or a plate having the non-contiguous staggered cutters formed or disposed thereon. The discontinuous cut regions that are formed in the pre-preg reduce stiffness and improve moldability/flowability when forming carbon fiber polymeric composites, while retaining high strength levels.