Method and apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement
A method includes wetting fibers with a resin capable of being cured by at least two different cure treatments. At least partially curing the resin by subjecting the resin to a first cure treatment and at least partially curing the resin by subjecting the resin to a second cure treatment. A plurality of fibers are located adjacent each other so that a plurality of valleys are formed between the plurality of fibers along an outer side of the reinforcement. The resin is cured to retain the valleys in the outer side of the reinforcement. The outer side of the reinforcement is adhered to the structural member. An apparatus including a fiber locating mechanism adapted to retain the peaks and valleys during curing of the resin without rigidly confining the outer side of the reinforcement.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/350,465 filed on Jan. 24, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to composite fiber and resin reinforcements for structural members; and more particularly, to methods of manufacturing such fiber reinforcements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONReinforcements for structural members have been manufactured using pultrusion processes. This process generally involves wetting fibers with resin and pulling them through a mold where the resin is cured as a result of heating the resin. The mold tends to create relatively smooth surfaces on the sides of the reinforcement although some recesses are often present. Exemplary pultrusion processes are disclosed, for example, in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,896 which issued to White et al. on Jul. 22, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,320 which issued to McGrath et al. on Feb. 15, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,385 which issued to Binse et al. on Dec. 20, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,388 which issued to Chen et al. on Jun. 13, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,496 which issued to Sumerak on Sep. 17, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,384 which issued to Pfeiffer et al. on Apr. 21, 1998; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,013 which issued to Beckman et al. on Jul. 21, 1998.
Another type of pultrusion process has involved spreading resin on a film such as Mylar, adding fiber materials, and then adding a top cover film to form an envelope that essentially becomes a flexible mold. This sandwich is shaped by tension and mechanical forms and is then pulled through an oven to cure the sandwich in the form that is desired.
A third variation of pultrusion provides for the fibers to be placed under tension, saturated with photo-initiated resin, pulled through a series of sized dies to form the fibers into a round bundle, and then exposed to high intensity ultraviolet light where curing is initiated. A surface coating is then applied and cured to provide a desired resin rich surface. This process has been used in forming strengthening members of fiber optic cables. Exemplary variations of this process are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,621 which issued to Kanzaki on Aug. 29, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,417 which issued to Fernyhough et al. on Dec. 23, 1997.
A forth variation of pultrusion provides for the fibers to be placed under tension, saturated with thermo-reactive resin, pulled through a series of sized dies to form the fibers into a round bundle while exposed to elevated temperatures such as found in an oven. This process has been used in the making of fishing rods and also adapted for fibreoptic cable members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one aspect of the present invention method of manufacturing a reinforcement for a structural member includes wetting fibers with a resin capable of being cured by at least two different cure treatments. At least partially curing the resin by subjecting the resin to a first cure treatment and at least partially curing the resin by subjecting the resin to a second cure treatment.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a method of manufacturing a reinforced structural member comprising a fiber and resin reinforcement and a structural member is provided. The method includes wetting a plurality of fibers with a curable resin. A plurality of fibers are located adjacent each other so that a plurality of valleys are formed between the plurality of fibers along an outer side of the reinforcement. The resin is cured to retain the valleys in the outer side of the reinforcement. The outer side of the reinforcement is adhered to the structural member.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention an apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement for a structural member includes a fiber wetting station adapted to contact a plurality of fibers with a resin. A fiber locating mechanism is adapted to locate the plurality of fibers adjacent each other so that a plurality of valleys are formed between the plurality of fibers along an outer side of the reinforcement and so that a plurality of peaks associated with the fibers are formed. The fiber locating mechanism is further adapted to retain the peaks and valleys during curing of the resin without rigidly confining the outer side of the reinforcement. A resin curing station is adapted to irradiate the outer side of the reinforcement to at least partially cure the resin.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
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A broad range of fiber materials may be used. Preferred fibers 12, 13, 16 are made of materials selected from fiberglass, aramid, carbon, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, ceramic, steel, metal alloys, and boron. The first fibers 12 and the cross-directional fibers 16 which are at the outer sides of the reinforcement are preferably made of synthetic fibers; and more preferably, of aramid, nylon, polyester, and polyethylene. The second fibers 13 which are in the interior of the reinforcement are preferably made of mineral fibers; and more preferably, of fiberglass, carbon and ceramic.
The tensioned fibers 12, 13, 16 are passed through a resin bath 22 of liquid resin 24 to wet the fibers 12, 13, 16 with the resin 24. The resin 24 is capable of being cured by at least two different cure treatments. Potential cure treatments include photo-radiation, thermal radiation, electron beam radiation, and radio frequency (e.g., microwave) radiation. More preferably, the resin 24 is a thermosetting resin that is capable of being cured by photo-radiation and thermo-radiation. Examples of preferred resins 24 include polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxy, urethane, and mixtures thereof. More preferred resins 24 are acrylated epoxy and acrylated urethane.
The wet fibers 12, 13, 16 are then subjected to a forming mechanism 26. The forming mechanism 26 includes doctor blades 28 or other devices to remove excess resin 24 from the fibers 12, 13, 16. The forming mechanism 26 helps in appropriately locating the various fibers 12, 13, 16 relative to each other. In this embodiment, a layer of longitudinally aligned and tensioned first fibers 12 is created adjacent the top outer side. In addition, a central layer is created from longitudinally aligned and tensioned second fibers 13. Lastly, a layer adjacent the bottom outer side is formed from the resin wetted nylon veil 16. The fibers 13, 12, 16 of these three layers are all located adjacent each other with liquid resin material 24 generally filling the space between the fibers 12, 13, 16.
After passing through the forming mechanism 26 the fibers 12, 13, 16 can have various tendencies to spring away from each other. This is caused by the apparatus design and/or the fiber materials. In addition, the fiber 12, 13, 16 to resin 24 ratio is relatively high. Preferably the fiber 12, 13, 16 to resin 24 ratio is from about 30% to about 70% by volume; more preferably, from about 50% to about 70%; and even more preferably, from about 55% to about 65%.
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The heat generated by the UV lamps 36 is sufficient in this embodiment to provide the necessary thermal radiation. Alternatively, additional heat sources are included. The combination of the UV radiation and heat from the lamps 36 is sufficient to fully catalyze the resin. These additional heat sources are preferably selected from infrared heaters, radio frequency (e.g., microwave) heaters, or other devices to provide thermal radiation or convection. Preferably, the resin 24 has a catalyzation that is thermo reactive at a temperature which is at least about 200° F.; more preferably at least about 250° F.; and even more preferably, at least about 275° F. Such preferred catalyzation temperatures provides a more stable resin system at room temperature or at somewhat elevated temperatures. Since the resin viscosity is dependant on the temperature, this will allow for slightly elevated resin temperature to be used to attain the most suitable viscosity for processing.
Pairs of wheels 38 operate as puller clamps to pull the cured composite 40 out of the curing station. Alternative puller clamps may include caterpillar treads or another clamp and pull source. In this embodiment, the wheels 38 are driven by a drive mechanism (not seen). The wheel pairs 38 provide the force which works in combination with the tensioning device 20 to cause tension on the fibers 12, 13, 16 throughout the curing process. Thus, the fibers 12, 13 of this embodiment are in longitudinal tension while the resin is cured. The puller clamps 38 feed the cured composite 40 to a roll-up station for storing and subsequent processing plain text. Alternatively, the cured reinforcement is delivered to a cutting station which cuts the reinforcements into desired sizes and shapes.
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By bonding to the valleys 34 and/or penetrating completely through the overall thickness of the reinforcement 40 the adhesive 46 creates a particularly strong mechanical bond between the reinforcement 40 and the wood structural member 44. The adhesive 46 may be any type of adhesive suitable for attaching the reinforcement 40 to the structural member 44.
Many modifications can be made to the above described embodiments. For example, in one alternative the resin may be poured over the already located and tensioned fibers. In another alternative, the fibers may be placed on top of a pool of resin. As another alternative, a veil might be placed on the top side to create the peaks and valleys in association with the swirled fibers of the veil. Thus, the peaks and valleys would not have such a highly elongated shape as that illustrated above. As yet another alternative, the various fibers may be mixed together rather than oriented in layers.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. The method of manufacturing a reinforcement for a structural member comprising:
- wetting fibers with a resin capable of being cured by at least two different cure treatments;
- at least partially curing the resin by subjecting the resin to a first cure treatment;
- at least partially curing the resin by subjecting the resin to a second cure treatment.
2. A method of manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the cure treatments is selected from the group consisting of subjecting the resin to light, an electron beam, a radio frequency and heat.
3. A method of manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the first cure treatment includes subjecting the resin to UV light and wherein the second cure treatment includes subjecting the resin to heat.
4. A method of manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 1, further comprising tensioning the fibers.
5. A method of manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 1, further comprising longitudinally aligning the fibers.
6. A method of manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 1, further comprising forming a layer from the fibers.
7. A method of manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 1, further comprising adding a plurality of fibers adapted to provide cross-direction support for the reinforcement.
8. A method of manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein curing the resin is done while a side of the reinforcement is unconfined.
9. A method of manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a synthetic fiber as the plurality of fibers.
10. A method of manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 1, further comprising selecting a thermosetting plastic as the resin.
11-20. (canceled)
21. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement for a structural member comprising:
- a fiber wetting station adapted to contact a plurality of fibers with resin;
- a fiber locating mechanism which is adapted to locate the plurality of fibers adjacent each other so that a plurality of valleys are formed between the plurality of fibers along an outer side of the reinforcement and so that a plurality of peaks associated with the fibers are formed, the fiber locating mechanism being further adapted to retain the peaks and valleys during curing of the resin without rigidly confining the outer side of the reinforcement; and
- a resin curing station adapted to irradiate the outer side of the reinforcement to at least partially cure the resin.
22. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 21, wherein the fiber locating mechanism is adapted to form the peaks and the valleys with an elongated shape.
23. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 21, wherein the wetting station is further adapted to coat all sides of the plurality of fibers with resin.
24. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 21, further comprising an additional fiber locating mechanism adapted to locate a second plurality of fibers in contact with the resin so the second plurality of fibers provide cross-direction support for the reinforcement.
25. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 21, wherein the resin curing station has at least two of a light source, an electron beam source, a radio frequency source and a heat source.
26. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 25, wherein the at least two sources are provided by a single device.
27. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 21, further comprising a tensioning mechanism adapted to place fibers under tension during curing.
28. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 27, wherein the tensioning mechanism has ceramic eyelets oriented at an angle to a path of fiber passing through the ceramic eyelet.
29. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 27, wherein the tensioning mechanism has an unwind brake associated with a spool adapted to supply fibers.
30. An apparatus for manufacturing a reinforcement according to claim 27, wherein the tensioning mechanism is adapted to provide a compressive force against a fiber.
Type: Application
Filed: May 9, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 22, 2005
Inventor: David Green (Aurora, OH)
Application Number: 11/124,834