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. 03, 1990
Filed:
Jan. 23, 1987
Dean C Youngkeit, Willard, UT (US);
Thiokol Corporation, Ogden, UT (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for making a composite component. For making a non-cylindrical composite component such as a nozzle, a longitudinal winding of at least one fiber strand impregnated with resin is applied onto a generally cylindrical mandrel at a predetermined angle relative to a line parallel to the mandrel rotational axis. A transverse tape is then spirally cut from the layer and wound onto a component mandrel. The wound transverse tape is then compacted and cured and the mandrel removed. A nozzle exit cone is also disclosed made from such transverse tape so that the fiber strand portions are short enough that they do not follow the curvature of the nozzle and thereby peel. The windings are shingled onto the nozzle exit cone so that only one end of each of the fiber strand portions is exposed to the nozzle surface. The fiber strand portions are oriented at a predetermined angle which may be optimized for erosion resistance and stress requirements. In order to form a cylindrical composite component, a cylindrical component mandrel is rotated about its rotational axis in a stationary position, at least one transverse tape of resin impregnated fiber strand portions is supplied to the mandrel in position for rolling onto the mandrel, the transverse tape which is rolled onto the mandrel is compacted and cured, and the mandrel is removed. Apparatus for forming both small cylindrical components such as space strut tubes and large cylindrical components such as rocket motor cases or launch canisters in accordance with this method are also disclosed. Such apparatus may include ultrasonic heads for heating the resin in particular if a thermoplastic resin is used for high impact resistance.