System to continuously produce carbon fiber via microwave assisted plasma processing
US9427720B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J37/3277
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for continuously processing carbon fiber including establishing a microwave plasma in a selected atmosphere contained in an elongated chamber having a microwave power gradient along its length defined by a lower microwave power at one end and a higher microwave power at the opposite end of the elongated chamber. The elongated chamber having an opening in each of the ends of the chamber that are adapted to allow the passage of the fiber tow while limiting incidental gas flow into or out of said chamber. A continuous fiber tow is introduced into the end of the chamber having the lower microwave power. The fiber tow is withdrawn from the opposite end of the chamber having the higher microwave power. The fiber to is subjected to progressively higher microwave energy as the fiber is being traversed through the elongated chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.