Patents Assigned to Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11973377
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system for pretensioning fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) sleeves surrounding an assembly of parts. The method includes application of pretensioning FRP sleeves surrounding a permanent magnet rotor with surface magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Funck, Jens Jung, Martin Welsch
  • Patent number: 11959511
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a rod end that has a locking mechanism where the locking mechanism has an insert, a fork end, a female torque locking element, and a male torque locking element. Upon activation of the locking mechanism, the female torque locking element engages with the male torque locking element in a form-fitting connection. The locking mechanism of the present invention can easily be activated and is capable of withstanding a torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Funck, Martin Welsch, Alexander Wieland
  • Patent number: 11913499
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and related compositions for producing a positive-locking load application for rod-shaped fiber composite structures, and the design thereof. The present invention concerns a method for producing a positive-locking load application for tension-compression rods from a fiber plastic hollow structure by means of an outer sleeve. In this process, a force pushes the fiber plastic hollow structure at least partially over at least one force application element, which is provided with at least one undercut to create a positive-locking connection. An object of the present invention is attained through local heating of the fiber plastic hollow structure to the point of plasticity of the fiber plastic hollow structure, at least in the region of the undercut(s) of the force application element, and application of at least one outer sleeve to the fiber plastic hollow structure in the region of the force application element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Funck, Martin Welsch
  • Publication number: 20240001626
    Abstract: Disclosed are reinforced structures. The structures are comprised of reinforced elements that have continuous fibers embedded in a matrix material. The reinforced elements are combined in a matrix material to form a desired shape of reinforced structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Funck, Jens Jung, Martin Welsch
  • Patent number: 11813806
    Abstract: Disclosed are reinforced structures. The structures are comprised of reinforced elements that have continuous fibers embedded in a matrix material. The reinforced elements are combined in a matrix material to form a desired shape of reinforced structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Funck, Jens Jung, Martin Welsch
  • Patent number: 11703078
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strut, such as fiber composite struts used in aircraft or spacecraft, which has a largest possible outer diameter within a cylindrical installation space of the strut. The invention concerns an insert connected to a fiber composite hollow structure, such as a fiber plastic composite hollow structure, where the hollow structure engages an undercut of the insert, wherein the outer region of the fiber composite hollow structure likewise has an undercut and this undercut is filled with a fiber composite jacket, such as a fiber plastic composite jacket, and the inner region of the fiber composite hollow structure has, at least in one subregion, a core connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Funck, Martin Welsch
  • Publication number: 20230183891
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for forming three-dimensional woven preforms that can be curved and have continuous fibers in the direction of curvature. Also disclosed are woven preforms formed thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Biddle
  • Patent number: 11649850
    Abstract: The present invention achieves a high mechanical load capacity of a rod end by means of a component loop that passes around a bearing, where the component may be made of continuous-fiber reinforced composite material with thermoplastic matrix and where the continuous-fiber reinforced composite material with thermoplastic matrix may extend into a threaded stem of the rod end, and the component made of continuous-fiber reinforced composite material with thermoplastic matrix may be enclosed by short-fiber reinforced, long-fiber reinforced, or unreinforced thermoplastic. The threaded stem can be implemented with an external or an internal thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Funck, Volker Schimmelpfennig
  • Patent number: 11624132
    Abstract: Embodiments for clamps and shaping clamp systems are disclosed herein and drawn to such applications as, including but not limited to, an apparatus and method for forming three-dimensional woven preforms that can be curved and have continuous fibers in the direction of curvature. Embodiments of the clamps may include an upper clamp, and a lower clamp of complementary shape and mateable with the upper clamp, with the clamp being configured to receive a fabric therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Biddle
  • Patent number: 11485048
    Abstract: Woven preforms, for example those used for jet aircraft engine fancases, may need additional stiffeners to improve the strength and/or dynamic performance of the preform assembly, as well as to serve as attachment points. The present invention describes several improved woven preforms that include circumferential or axial stiffeners, as well as methods of manufacturing the same. One embodiment includes circumferential stiffeners added to a woven preform. Another embodiment includes sub-preforms with integral flanges that combine to make integral stiffeners. A further embodiment includes an intermediate stiffener wrapped onto a base sub-preform wrap, wherein the intermediate stiffener wrap incorporates intermediate stiffeners. Another embodiment incorporates bifurcations in one or more layers of an outermost wrap of a multi-layer fabric composite that forms a preform, wherein the bifurcated outer wrap is folded to form stiffeners that may be oriented circumferentially or axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Goering
  • Patent number: 11192312
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a 3D woven omega-shaped stiffener by flat weaving a plurality of layers of interwoven warp and weft fibers to form a flat woven fabric having a cap portion, a first and a second web portion, a first and second foot portion, and an inner wrap portion. The 3D woven fabric is woven so that least some of the weft fibers are continuous across a juncture between the web portion and the foot portions. The flat woven fabric is then formed into the omega shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Goering
  • Publication number: 20210189612
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for forming three-dimensional woven preforms that can be curved and have continuous fibers in the direction of curvature. Also disclosed are woven preforms formed thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Biddle
  • Patent number: 11035059
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for forming three-dimensional woven preforms that can be curved and have continuous fibers in the direction of curvature. Also disclosed are woven preforms formed thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Biddle
  • Publication number: 20200378041
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for forming three-dimensional woven preforms that can be curved and have continuous fibers in the direction of curvature. Also disclosed are woven preforms formed thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Biddle
  • Patent number: 10266972
    Abstract: Preforms for use in fiber-reinforced composites, fiber-reinforced composites, and methods for making thereof are disclosed. One method includes interweaving a plurality of warp yarns with a single weft yarn so as to form a tubular woven structure with a central axis. The preform can be woven using an endless or tubular weaving technique, and can be woven so as to have two or more diameters along a length thereof. The preform can include one or more layers of a fabric formed on or attached to one or both surfaces of the tubular woven structure. The end structure can be a part of a window frame, a wheel rim, or a combustor in a jet engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Goering, Steve Biddle
  • Patent number: 10190240
    Abstract: A three dimensional woven preform, a fiber reinforced composite incorporating the preform, and methods of making thereof are disclosed. The woven preform includes one or more layers of a warp steered fabric. A portion of the warp steered fabric is compressed into a mold to form an upstanding leg. The preform includes the upstanding leg and a joggle in a body portion. The body portion and upstanding leg are integrally woven so there is continuous fiber across the preform. A portion of the warp steered fabric includes stretch broken carbon fibers in the warp direction, and another portion includes conventional carbon fibers. The warp steered fabric can be woven on a loom equipped with a differential take-up mechanism. The warp steered fabric can be a single or multilayer fabric. The preform or the composite can be a portion of an aircraft window frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Goering, Craig Rowles
  • Patent number: 10150229
    Abstract: Woven preforms, for example those used for jet aircraft engine fancases, may need additional stiffeners to improve the strength and/or dynamic performance of the preform assembly, as well as to serve as attachment points. The present invention describes several improved woven preforms that include circumferential or axial stiffeners, as well as methods of manufacturing the same. One embodiment includes circumferential stiffeners added to a woven preform. Another embodiment includes sub-preforms with integral flanges that combine to make integral stiffeners. A further embodiment includes an intermediate stiffener wrapped onto a base sub-preform wrap, wherein the intermediate stiffener wrap incorporates intermediate stiffeners. Another embodiment incorporates bifurcations in one or more layers of an outermost wrap of a multi-layer fabric composite that forms a preform, wherein the bifurcated outer wrap is folded to form stiffeners that may be oriented circumferentially or axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Goering
  • Patent number: 10052796
    Abstract: Woven preforms, for example those used for jet aircraft engine fancases, may need additional stiffeners to improve the strength and/or dynamic performance of the preform assembly, as well as to serve as attachment points. The present invention describes several improved woven preforms that include circumferential or axial stiffeners, as well as methods of manufacturing the same. One embodiment includes circumferential stiffeners added to a woven preform. Another embodiment includes sub-preforms with integral flanges that combine to make integral stiffeners. A further embodiment includes an intermediate stiffener wrapped onto a base sub-preform wrap, wherein the intermediate stiffener wrap incorporates intermediate stiffeners. Another embodiment incorporates bifurcations in one or more layers of an outermost wrap of a multi-layer fabric composite that forms a preform, wherein the bifurcated outer wrap is folded to form stiffeners that may be oriented circumferentially or axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Goering
  • Patent number: 10023981
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) woven preform with channels in the through thickness direction developed for applications such as forming light weight preforms with an increased thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Brock Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 10016913
    Abstract: Woven preforms, for example those used for jet aircraft engine fancases, may need additional stiffeners to improve the strength and/or dynamic performance of the preform assembly, as well as to serve as attachment points. The present invention describes several improved woven preforms that include circumferential or axial stiffeners, as well as methods of manufacturing the same. One embodiment includes circumferential stiffeners added to a woven preform. Another embodiment includes sub-preforms with integral flanges that combine to make integral stiffeners. A further embodiment includes an intermediate stiffener wrapped onto a base sub-preform wrap, wherein the intermediate stiffener wrap incorporates intermediate stiffeners. Another embodiment incorporates bifurcations in one or more layers of an outermost wrap of a multi-layer fabric composite that forms a preform, wherein the bifurcated outer wrap is folded to form stiffeners that may be oriented circumferentially or axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Goering