Method for fabrication of perforated composite
US6451241B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29K2995/0001
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sheet of uncured polymer, which is preferably reinforced with multiple layers of fiber, is staged or partially cured to a state in which the sheet is rigid at room temperature. Multiple apertures are drilled into, and preferably through, the sheet. The apertures are for acoustic or laminar flow control, and include holes having diameters in the range of 0.025 to 0.120 inch. In the case in which the fabricated panels must conform to a particular shape, the perforated, partially cured panels are heated to a temperature at which the panel softens, and conformed to the desired surface. The partially cured, perforated sheets are then cured. In order to prevent closure of the drilled holes during the cure, the perforated panel is sandwiched between two layers of glass fabric and cured on an elastomeric tool surface which expands with increases in temperature, forcing the glass fabric to seal the holes during cure. Release coatings are used to aid panel/liner separation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.