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:
Jun. 14, 2016
Filed:
Jun. 20, 2013
Andreas Manfred Gauckler, Lafayette, CO (US);
Joseph Brice Diller, Granbury, TX (US);
Richard L. Statler, Iii, Denver, CO (US);
David Ethan Maretich, Denver, CO (US);
Nicholas Clancy Schooley, Denver, CO (US);
Clifton P. Breay, Littleton, CO (US);
Andreas Manfred Gauckler, Lafayette, CO (US);
Joseph Brice Diller, Granbury, TX (US);
Richard L. Statler, III, Denver, CO (US);
David Ethan Maretich, Denver, CO (US);
Nicholas Clancy Schooley, Denver, CO (US);
Clifton P. Breay, Littleton, CO (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
The composite tube comprises a tubular arrangement of knitted fiber characterized by a plurality of interlocking loops. The tubular knitted pattern allows for variable electrical, mechanical and geometrical tube options. A matrix material is applied over the knitted fiber pattern and is allowed to cure. The matrix material may include a combination of resin and epoxy constituents. The matrix material may be applied by a vacuum bag molding process. The flexible knitted reinforcing layer allows use of an inflatable bladder to hold the reinforcing layer in the desired shape, thereby facilitating tube constructions of varying shapes and diameters. Continuous application of the matrix material avoids overlapping seams that are prone to delamination. Methods are provided for reinforcing the composite tube construction including one or more folded layers of knitted fiber, a reinforcing wrap made of knitted fiber, and an inflatable balloon element in combination with a layer(s) of knitted fiber.