B32B2603/00

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING OPTIMIZED PANELS AND OTHER COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

The disclosure relates to additively manufactured (AM) composite structures such as panels for use in transport structures or other mechanized assemblies. An AM core may be optimized for an intended application of a panel. In various embodiments, one or more values such as strength, stiffness, density, energy absorption, ductility, etc. may be optimized in a single AM core to vary across the AM core in one or more directions for supporting expected load conditions. In an embodiment, the expected load conditions may include forces applied to the AM core or corresponding panel from different directions in up to three dimensions. Where the structure is a panel, face sheets may be affixed to respective sides of the core. The AM core may be a custom honeycomb structure. In other embodiments, the face sheets may have custom 3-D profiles formed traditionally or through additive manufacturing to enable structural panels with complex profiles. The AM core may include a protrusion to provide fixturing features to enable external connections. In other embodiments, inserts, fasteners, or internal channels may be co-printed with the core. In still other embodiments, the AM core may be used in a composite structure such as, for example a rotor blade or a vehicle component.

Methods and apparatus for manufacturing optimized panels and other composite structures

The disclosure relates to additively manufactured (AM) composite structures such as panels for use in transport structures or other mechanized assemblies. An AM core may be optimized for an intended application of a panel. In various embodiments, one or more values such as strength, stiffness, density, energy absorption, ductility, etc. may be optimized in a single AM core to vary across the AM core in one or more directions for supporting expected load conditions. In an embodiment, the expected load conditions may include forces applied to the AM core or corresponding panel from different directions in up to three dimensions. Where the structure is a panel, face sheets may be affixed to respective sides of the core. The AM core may be a custom honeycomb structure. In other embodiments, the face sheets may have custom 3-D profiles formed traditionally or through additive manufacturing to enable structural panels with complex profiles. The AM core may include a protrusion to provide fixturing features to enable external connections. In other embodiments, inserts, fasteners, or internal channels may be co-printed with the core. In still other embodiments, the AM core may be used in a composite structure such as, for example a rotor blade or a vehicle component.

DAMPING METHOD INCLUDING A FACE-CENTERED CUBIC FERROMAGNETIC DAMPING MATERIAL, AND COMPONENTS HAVING SAME
20170314118 · 2017-11-02 ·

A method to increase the damping of a substrate using a face-centered cubic ferromagnetic damping material.

WINDMILL BLADE

Provided is a windmill blade, comprising a core material formed of an acrylic resin expanded article and an outer skin covering the core material, in winch the outer skin is formed of a fiber-reinforced resin material including a carbon fiber and a resin, and the acrylic resin expanded article has a specified bending modulus.

THREE PHASE BOND COAT COATING SYSTEM FOR SUPERALLOYS

Provided is a nickel-based coating composition containing cobalt, chromium, aluminum, tantalum, and nickel. The coating composition has a three phase γ, γ′, β microstructure wherein at least 5 volume % of the coating composition is present in the β phase. Also provided are coating systems containing the coating composition, articles having the coating composition or coating system, and methods for protecting nickel-based superalloy substrates using the coating composition or coating system.

CELLULAR STRUCTURES WITH TWELVE-CORNERED CELLS

A cellular structure may include a plurality of cells each having a twelve-cornered cross section. The twelve-cornered cross section may include twelve sides and twelve corners creating eight internal angles and four external angles. Each cell may include a plurality of longitudinal walls extending between a top and a bottom of the cell, the longitudinal walls intersecting to create corners of the cell. A structural component may include at least one wall surrounding a component interior space with a cellular structure having at least two cells being positioned within the interior space. A sandwich structure may include first and second substantially planar structures, and a cellular structure with at least two cells positioned between the first and second substantially planar structures.

CELLULAR STRUCTURES WITH TWELVE-CORNERED CELLS
20170307138 · 2017-10-26 · ·

A cellular structure may include a plurality of cells each having a twelve-cornered cross section. The twelve-cornered cross section may include twelve sides and twelve corners creating nine internal angles and three external angles. Each cell may include a plurality of longitudinal walls extending between a top and a bottom of the cell, the longitudinal walls intersecting to create corners of the cell. A structural component may include at least one wall surrounding a component interior space with a cellular structure having at least two cells positioned within the interior space. A sandwich structure may include first and second planar structures, and a cellular structure positioned between the first and second substantially planar structures.

NEW COMPOSITE ARTICLE
20170291390 · 2017-10-12 · ·

The present invention relates to a composite article comprising at least two layers (A) of component a) and at least one layer (B1) of component b). The respective layers (A) and (B1) are alternately linked together. The component a) has a compressive modulus of at least 10 MPa and can, therefore, be considered as a comparably rigid component, which can be also assigned as rigid core element, in contrast thereto the component b) has a compression stress value at a compression of 40% of not more than 20 kPa. By consequence, component b) can be considered as a comparably flexible (elastic) component. Therefore, the composite articles according to the present invention can be considered as semi-flexible materials due to the combination of alternating rigid and flexible segments (layers) within those composite articles. The composite articles according to the present invention may further comprise at least one layer (B2) of component b), which layer is also alternately linked together with the respective layers (A). In addition, at least one layer (B2) crosses at least one layer (B1) with an angle α in the range of 0°<α<180°, wherein both layers (B1) and (B2) are made of component b). The present invention further relates to a method for producing those composite articles as well as to the use of those composite articles in composite applications, for example, wind rotor blades or boat hulls or insulation applications, for example for curved walls or roofs or between rafters.

AIRFOIL
20170292530 · 2017-10-12 · ·

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for an airfoil of a gas turbine engine. An airfoil of a gas turbine engine may comprise an airfoil body having a body contact surface, and an airfoil edge coupled to the body contact surface, wherein at least one of the airfoil body or airfoil edge comprises a fiber metal laminate.

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CONTROL CUFF FOR A ROTOR BLADE OF A HINGE AND BEARINGLESS ROTOR

A method of manufacturing a control cuff for a rotor blade of a hinge and bearingless rotor. The method comprises at least the steps of: manufacturing an outer shell, manufacturing a stiffener member by means of an automated process, inserting the stiffener member into the outer shell, and bonding the stiffener member to the outer shell.