초록 ▼

Currently, fiber/metal laminate sheets are limited in width due to restrictions in the width of thin metal sheets available. This invention solves that problem by providing an integral splice concept and a method for manufacturing a laminate employing the inventive concept. Specifically, a fiber/met

Currently, fiber/metal laminate sheets are limited in width due to restrictions in the width of thin metal sheets available. This invention solves that problem by providing an integral splice concept and a method for manufacturing a laminate employing the inventive concept. Specifically, a fiber/metal laminate sheet is provided having at least two metal plies and at least one fiber layer. Each of the metal plies comprises at least two metal sheets which are arranged side-by-side and have sheet metal breaks therebetween. All of the sheet metal breaks lie within the integral splice. An important feature of the invention is that the sheet metal breaks in each metal ply are staggered widthwise across the laminate with respect to the sheet metal breaks in the remaining metal plies, in accordance with a predetermined metal break staggering pattern, thereby maximizing the bond engagement of the discontinuous metal plies with the adjacent fiber layers. Another important inventive feature is that the fiber layers are continuous through the integral splice region. The resultant spliced laminate may have any desired width, and is strong, fatigue-resistant, durable, and easy to manufacture.

대표청구항 ▼

A fiber/metal laminate structure comprising at least two metal plies and at least one fiber layer, said at least two metal plies each comprising at least two substantially crystalline metal sheets having sheet metal breaks therebetween, said structure further including at least one integral splice r

A fiber/metal laminate structure comprising at least two metal plies and at least one fiber layer, said at least two metal plies each comprising at least two substantially crystalline metal sheets having sheet metal breaks therebetween, said structure further including at least one integral splice region therein for extending a dimension of the structure, a splice axis oriented in a direction generally transverse to the extension direction, said sheet metal breaks lying within said at least one integral splice region, the sheet metal breaks in each metal ply being staggered in the extension direction with respect to the sheet metal breaks in the remaining metal plies, said at least one fiber layer being continuous through said at least one integral splice region, wherein d1 is an overlap parameter defining the shortest linear distance along the extension direction of said structure between a first sheet metal break in one metal ply and a second sheet metal break in the adjacent metal ply, said overlap parameter d1 being about 10 to 150 times the thickness of said metal sheet.