Pre-form and method of preparing a pre-form
US8778479B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T442/10
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pre-form and a method of preparing pre-forms are provided. The pre-forms comprise a resin and at least two layers of oriented fiber tows. The pre-forms comprise fiber tows instead of the traditional prepregs to enhance rearranging of resin and/or fibers during subsequent processing as well as provide greater freedom, a price reduction and/or a reduction of waste. The pre-forms may be formed three-dimensionally to enhance coupling to further pre-forms or other structures and/or to enhance shaping of the pre-form to a final three-dimensional shape. The method of preparation of pre-forms involves providing an adhesive between layers of fibers and providing a resin in contact with at least one of the layers of fibers. The resin is preferably provided in a non-continuous layer to allow for removal of gas at least partially in a direction orthogonal to the layers of resin. The pre-forms are suitable for preparation of composite structures like for example spars for wind turbine blades.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.