Thermoplastic composite structures embedded with at least one load fitting and methods of manufacturing same
US9718248B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB32B2605/18
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Manufacturing a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with a first load fitting comprising the steps of braiding a first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material around a soluble, expandable mandrel. A first load fitting is positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material. A second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material is braided around the first load fitting and the mandrel so as to form an overbraided mandrel embedded with the first load fitting. The overbraided mandrel is installed into a matched tooling assembly and heated at a specified heating profile in order to consolidate the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material and the second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material with the first load fitting so as to form a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with the first load fitting. A second load fitting may be positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.