Mechanically secured foam core reinforcement
US6355339B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T442/335
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An article such as an airfoil that is of light weight and high bending strength, includes a primarily foam core part (20), fibrous strengthening layers (22, 24) at the top and bottom of the core part with the strengthening layers held by threads (64, 72) sewn through the combination, and with resin (32) forced into spaces between the fibers of the strengthening layers and forming smooth surfaces at the top and bottom of the article. The core part includes a thick body (40) of light weight foam (42) and top and bottom reinforcing layers (44, 46) lying against the top and bottom of the body, with the reinforcing layers each having spaces or pores that are filled with foam that is integral with the foam of the body. The moderate strength near the surfaces of the core part, enable the core part to resist crushing of the light weight foam during sewing of the threads and can resist pullout of fasteners that project only partially into the core part.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.