Methods and apparatus for making foam composites reinforced with fibers and fiber pre-forms having particles therein
US9387630B2 · kind B2 · utility
0Cited by
5References
22Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/249953
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
According to one aspect, a method of forming foam composites. The method includes providing a plurality of microspheres in contact with a fiber pre-form having a plurality of fibers, inserting at least one penetrating element into the fiber pre-form, and repeatedly moving the at least one penetrating element within the fiber pre-form so as to encourage the plurality of microspheres to disperse within the fiber pre-form. The fiber pre-form with the microspheres dispersed therein is then heated, causing the microspheres to expand and fuse together to form the foam composite.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.