초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for creating monolithic structures formed of fiber reinforced resin composites, i.e., layers or plies bonded together by a cured resin is disclosed. A plurality of dry plies (13, 15, 17, 19) are stacked to create a dry preform (11). The orientation of the plies is based on the

A method and apparatus for creating monolithic structures formed of fiber reinforced resin composites, i.e., layers or plies bonded together by a cured resin is disclosed. A plurality of dry plies (13, 15, 17, 19) are stacked to create a dry preform (11). The orientation of the plies is based on the desired directional strength of the resulting structure. The plies may or may not be stitched in the cross-ply direction, as desired. After the dry preform (11) is created, one or more layers of liquid or solid resin (21) are added. The dry preform and the resin layer(s), which are located atop a forming tool (33), are enclosed by resin content control envelope (35) through which breather tape (49) passes. The resin content control envelope (35) is, in turn, enclosed by a vacuum envelope (37). First air and other gases are withdrawn and, then, the composite is heated, causing the resin to flow into the dry preform (11). As the resin (21) enters the dry preform (11), air and other gases remaining in the dry preform (or created as the resin cures) are withdrawn via the conduit created by the dry preform fibers and various regions of breather tape (45, 49, 63).

대표청구항 ▼

A method of forming fiber reinforced resin composites comprising the steps of: creating a dry preform of at least two dry fiber plies, each of said dry fiber plies formed of a plurality of reinforcement fibers; adding at least one layer of resin to said dry preform; enclosing said dry preform and sa

A method of forming fiber reinforced resin composites comprising the steps of: creating a dry preform of at least two dry fiber plies, each of said dry fiber plies formed of a plurality of reinforcement fibers; adding at least one layer of resin to said dry preform; enclosing said dry preform and said at least one layer of resin in a resin content control envelope; enclosing said resin content control envelope in a vacuum envelope; evacuating said vacuum envelope and said resin content control envelope to withdraw air and other gases from said dry preform; and, heating said dry preform and said at least one layer of resin simultaneously with the evacuation of said vacuum envelope and said resin content control envelope to cause said resin to melt, fully infuse said dry preform and, then, cure as air and other gases are withdrawn from said dry preform resulting in the creation of a fiber reinforced resin composite.