Patents Examined by Jeremiah F. Durkin, II
  • Patent number: 5085820
    Abstract: A method of constructing tubular spars, particularly spars for use on sailing vessels, includes the step of placing in a channel section mold, a layer or layers of fiber reinforced plastic material to form part of the periphery of the tubular spar. Side wall portions of the mold are then removed and longitudinally spaced formers are placed along the plastic part of the spar that was in the mold. A sheet-like skin is placed over the formers and is secured to the formers. A further layer or layers of fiber reinforced plastic material is then placed over the skin to form the remainder of the periphery of the molded tubular spar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Ian C. Howlett
  • Patent number: 5084222
    Abstract: In the process for manufacturing thermoplastic polymer articles reinforced with long continuous fibers by pultrusion, including impregnating tufts of fibers with thermoplastic resin, circulating an assemblage of said impregnated tufts in a heat assembly so as to melt the resin, and then hot shaping the article in an appropriate die to give it essentially its final shape before passing it through a second cooling die, the improvement including compressing the assemblage of impregnated tufts in the heated assembly consisting essentially of a flat die having an inlet zone and an exit zone, the inlet being wide enough to allow the initial volume of the impregnated tufts to pass through and a horizontal gap adapted to be varied in thickness, and allowing the emerging assembly of impregnated tufts to be brought to the shape of a sheet of minmimium thickness before shaping, and the flat die and rigid polyvinyl chloride article prepared by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Atochem
    Inventors: Michel Glemet, Alain Causier, Bernard Gourdon
  • Patent number: 5084219
    Abstract: A method of fabricating structures formed from composite materials by positioning the structure about a high coefficient of thermal expansion material, wrapping a graphite fiber overwrap about the structure, and thereafter heating the assembly to expand the high coefficient of thermal expansion material to forcibly compress the composite structure against the restraint provided by the graphite overwrap. The high coefficient of thermal expansion material is disposed about a mandrel with a release system therebetween, and with a release system between the material having the high coefficient of thermal expansion and the composite material, and between the graphite fibers and the composite structure. The heating may occur by inducing heat into the assembly by a magnetic field created by coils disposed about the assembly through which alternating current flows. The method permits structures to be formed without the use of an autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Wanda A. Sigur
  • Patent number: 5080851
    Abstract: A method for forming stabilized preforms for complex composite articles is disclosed using a solid meltable uncatalyzed thermosetting resin as the stabilizing agent. The resin is applied to each layer of the preform and heated to melt the resin and bond the layers together. After cooling, the resin resolidifies but does not set and thereby holds the layers in the desired preform shape. The layers can be first formed into a flat sheet as a raw material from which shaped preforms can be made by cutting the sheet into sections which are placed over a mandrel and reheating to thereby remelt the solid resin to allow the preform to conform to the shape of the mandrel. Utilizing this process allows complex composite parts to be easily preformed and assembled prior to placement in a mold for resin injection molding, without inhibiting part strength as the resin is compatible with the injection resin and is cocatalyzed by the catalyst contained in the injection resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Flonc, Michael W. Brace
  • Patent number: 5078939
    Abstract: A method of making a heat-resistant paper container which comprises a bottomed seamless press-molded body comprising a laminate of a paper substrate having an elongation of at least 1.5% in the longitudinal direction and an elongation of at least 4.5% in the lateral direction and a coating layer of a hiding pigment formed on both the surfaces of the paper substrate, wherein the amount coated of the hiding pigment is 1 to 50 g/m.sup.2, the binder in the coating layer is a thermosetting resin binder and the binder is present in the coating layer at a weight ratio R.sub.P satisfying the following condition:R.sub.P =k.multidot.O.sub.A .multidot.d.sub.Rwherein O.sub.A stands for the oil absorption (ml/100 g) of the hiding pigment, d.sub.A stands for the density (g/ml) of the binder, and k is a number of from 0.005 to 0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiko Katsura, Takaaki Mochida, Toshiaki Iioka, Toshifumi Tanabashi, Seishichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5078812
    Abstract: A method for making a dark, adherent coating on exposed metal surfaces of a color-selection electrode assembly of a CRT includes the steps of applying a first solution of aqueous phosphoric acid to the metal surfaces of the assembly; contacting the metal surfaces with a second solution of selenium dioxide and methanol; rinsing the assembly; and then, applying a sealing solution to the surfaces of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: RCA Thomson Licensing Corp.
    Inventors: Randall E. McCoy, Jordan R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5075056
    Abstract: A process for the production of a ball game racket frame, in particular a tennis racket, squash racket or badminton racket frame, with a head and a shaft, in which at least the head and/or the shaft is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic as a hollow body, an injectable matrix, optionally with a reinforcing fiber material and an inert gas under pressure, in particular N.sub.2, is injected into a mold to form the hollow space of the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Head Sportgerate Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Helmut Umlauft, Karl-Heinz Wager
  • Patent number: 5073315
    Abstract: Fibers are oriented in a radial direction in a mold so that the fibers are aligned in the molded article to react to radial loads. This is done by contracting a tubular braid of reinforcing fiber about its axis and expanding the contracted braid radially. The time for curing the article in the mold is reduced by internal electrical heating. The preferred ways of internal electrical heating are microwave heating, and the application of current to an internal conducting layer, conductive fibers or a grid for resistive heating. Moreover, the appearance of the molded article is improved by a sheet metal insert which is formed, for example by stamping or spinning, to match a face of the mold. The metal can be polished and chromed either before or after the molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Inventor: Peter C. Bertelson
  • Patent number: 5066442
    Abstract: A new method of forming composites or laminates into complex shapes has been developed. A process using a die with piercing studs allows control of fibers motion during processing, leading to better composite parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.
    Inventors: Timothy G. Gutowski, Michael F. Sentovich, Richard K. Okine
  • Patent number: 5064491
    Abstract: A method and device for simultaneously producing a plurality of curved profiled reinforcement bars of a material stabilized by a mold helically wound on a mandrel, with the mold including a plurality of grooves in which are arranged reinforcing elements. The reinforcement bars are disposed on a support, with the support being moved when the bars are set in place to form an armature of a body. When the bars are produced in the mold with the plurality of grooves, the mold is used as a support part or a laying support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Michel Huvey
  • Patent number: 5061162
    Abstract: An induction heating system for melting metal cores contained within articles or components made of plastic uses induction heating and redirects flux lines for efficient melting. The system includes a high permeability magnetic core, an induction heating coil about at least a portion of the magnetic core to produce flux circulation in a magnetic circuit formed by the magnetic core, and two magnetic nozzles attached to the magnetic core with a gap therebetween for insertion of a specific shape of plastic article, the magnetic nozzles shaped to direct and position a desired pattern of flux lines to heat and melt the metal core of the plastic article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Electrovert Ltd.
    Inventor: Kelly P. Gravelle
  • Patent number: 5061429
    Abstract: A method of preparing window glass provided with a gasket at a peripheral portion of a glass sheet for a window includes placing a glass sheet in a shaping mold which has two mold parts to provide an inner cavity in which resilient sealing members are attached respectively to the two mold parts so as to come in contact with surfaces of the glass sheet so that a gasket forming cavity is formed at a peripheral area of the glass sheet by the cooperation of the inner cavity of the shaping mold, the resilient sealing members and the glass sheet. The resilient sealing member is then pushed to the contacting surface constituted by the resilient sealing member and a part of the shaping mold in the inner cavity via a pushing means after the assembling of the shaping mold and the glass sheet. A gasket material is then injected into the gasket forming cavity to form a gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Yoshihara, Yoshio Hosaka, Shigehito Shibata, Nobuaki Kunii
  • Patent number: 5057174
    Abstract: A technique is provided for removing foam mandrel material from a stiffener section of a composite structural member as is employed in lightweight aircraft skin structures. The technique involves the direct pressure glass bead blasting of the mandrel material. By mounting a blasting nozzle within a rubber hose of larger diameter, an airstream containing glass beads may be directed outwardly through the nozzle while evacuating pressure is created in an annular passageway between the hose and the nozzle to evacuate mandrel foam particles as well as spent glass beads. The result is a clean channel within the stiffener section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Anderson, Leonard M. Poveromo
  • Patent number: 5055242
    Abstract: A process for continuously forming reinforced articles (24) which includes producing a reinforcing material (13) having a plurality of superimposed layers (1-6), stitching together said layers (1-6), wetting said reinforcing material (13) with a matrix material (7, 8 or 19), forming the wetted reinforcing material and curing or consolidating the matrix material. Each layer (1-6) of the reinforcing material (13) includes a plurality of unidirectional non-woven yarns or threads (10) laid side-by-side, the yarns or threads (10) in at least some of the different layers (1-6) extending in different directions. Forming of the wetted reinforcing material may be effected by moulding, pultrusion or by wrapping wetted reinforcing material around a mandrel or former (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Tech Textiles Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Vane
  • Patent number: 5052906
    Abstract: Apparatus for the production of high strength fiber reinforced plastic structures via an improved vacuum assisted technique. A fluid impervious outer sheet is marginally sealed upon a mold to provide an enclosure, or chamber, in which a fiber lay up can be placed. The fluid impervious outer sheet is provided with a vacuum outlet, and the mold is provided with a resin inlet. Primary distribution media are provided one located on one side of the fiber lay up and the other on the opposite side of the fiber lay up. Each is of character which facilitates on application of a vacuum the ready, continuous flow of resin via the resin inlet into the chamber to the marginal edges of said resin distribution medium and flow through of the resin through the fiber lay up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Seemann Composite Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Seemann
  • Patent number: 5051178
    Abstract: Alkyldiamine, 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene or 1,3-dihydroxybenzene is added as a copolymerization component to a polyfunctional aromatic amine component in the amount of 1-20% by weight with respect to the polyfunctional aromatic amine in producing a composite semipermeable membrane by laminating on a microporous substrate a polyamide formed by interfacial polycondensation between a polyfunctional aromatic amine and a polyfunctional acid halide. The composite semipermeable membrane has improved oxidation resistance while retaining excellent separation selectivity and high permeability of the crosslinked polyamide-based composite semipermeable membrane. The composite semipermeable membrane is used for desalination of brackish and sea water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Uemura, Hideo Fujimaki, Toshihiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5051224
    Abstract: There is disclosed a trapped polymer method for molding composite articles at temperatures of at least 535.degree. C., comprising heating to a temperature of at least 535.degree. C. a mold containing a master tool, a pre-preg and a trapped polymer comprising a depolymerization-resistant silicone crumb rubber which is resistant to depolymerization of the polymer backbone at a temperature of at least 535.degree. C. to form and cure said pre-preg into the desired composite member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Joan M. Donatelli, Godfrey C. Mhah, Sam A. Brady
  • Patent number: 5051226
    Abstract: A method for curing fiber-reinforced resin matrix composite materials (22) includes the steps of providing a form (14) and positioning uncured composite material (22) on the form (14) substantially into a desired shape. The composite material (22) is then cured by providing a fluid bath (10) heated to a predetermined temperature, and heating the composite material (22) by immersing the positioned composite material (22) on the form (14) into the fluid bath (10) for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is sufficient to allow the composite material (22) to become cured and to heat the composite material (22) at a rate sufficient to provide resin flow prior to hardening. Compressive pressure is provided on the composite material (22) while it is immersed in the fluid bath (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Val G. Brustad, Richard V. Phillips, William L. Rodman
  • Patent number: 5049336
    Abstract: A method of attaching a gripping device to a packaging laminate involves forming a recess in a packaging laminate that extends only a part of the way through the thickness of the packaging laminate. Molten plastic material is injected into the recess to cause the molten plastic material to become partly united with plastic layers that cover the central carrier layer of the laminate, thereby forming an anchorage device in the laminate. The gripping device can be attached to the anchorage device after the injection molding process or simultaneously during the injection molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: AB Profor
    Inventor: Anders Sjostrom
  • Patent number: 5049342
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite structure having at least one skin molecularly bonded to a core. A skin is provided of reinforcing fibrous material and a thermoplastic matrix. The skin is thermoformed to the general exterior shape of the composite structure. A core having a thermoplastic matrix complementary to the matrix of the skin is molded into the general shape of the composite structure. The skin and the core are placed in juxtaposition in a final forming mold. A thermoplastic material is injected into the final forming mold under isostatic conditions. The thermoplastic material is complementary to the thermoplastic matrices of the skin and the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Scanlon, Hossein Saatchi, David W. Okey, John S. Church, Gary A. Wigell