System for producing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg
US11198259B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2018 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T442/2992
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a system for manufacturing a fully impregnated thermoplastic prepreg includes a mechanism for moving a fabric or mat and a drying mechanism that removes residual moisture from at least one surface of the fabric or mat. The system also includes a resin application mechanism that applies a reactive resin to the fabric or mat and a press mechanism that presses the coated fabric or mat to ensure that the resin fully saturates the fabric or mat. The system further includes a curing oven through which the coated fabric or mat is moved to polymerize the resin and thereby form a thermoplastic polymer so that upon exiting the oven, the fabric or mat is fully impregnated with the thermoplastic polymer. During at least a portion of the process, humidity in the vicinity of the coated fabric or mat is maintained at substantially zero.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.