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:
Dec. 29, 1998
Filed:
Aug. 28, 1996
Howard A Lindsay, Cordova, TN (US);
Jeffrey A Mears, Chandler, AZ (US);
Robert F Monks, Chandler, AZ (US);
Steven M Motoyama, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Christopher K DeLap, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Simula, Inc., Phoenix, AZ (US);
Abstract
A 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.degree.-600.degree. 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.