CARBON AEROGEL COMPOSITE PREPREG

Abstract

A carbon aerogel composite is disclosed. A carbon fiber is coated with a conductive carbon aerogel. An aerospace-vehicle component, aerospace vehicle or aircraft or lighting guard can include carbon fibers coated with a conductive carbon aerogel, strands comprising carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel, woven fabrics comprising carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel, or nonwoven fabrics comprising carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel.

Claims

1. A carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel.

2. The carbon fiber according to claim 1, wherein the carbon fiber is in a strand, a woven fabric, or a nonwoven fabric.

3. An aerospace-vehicle component comprising carbon fiber, wherein the carbon fiber is coated with a conductive carbon aerogel.

4. The aerospace-vehicle component according to claim 3, wherein the carbon fiber is in a strand, a woven fabric, or a nonwoven fabric.

5. The aerospace-vehicle component according to claim 4, wherein the component consists predominantly of carbon fiber composite.

6. The aerospace-vehicle component according to claim 5, wherein carbon fibers, strands, woven fabrics or nonwoven fabrics are part of the carbon fiber composite.

7. The aerospace-vehicle component according to claim 5, wherein carbon fibers, strands, woven fabrics or nonwoven fabrics are part of the carbon fiber composite.

8. The aerospace-vehicle component according to claim 3, wherein the component consists predominantly of carbon fiber composite.

9. An aerospace vehicle or aircraft comprising carbon fibers coated with a conductive carbon aerogel, strands comprising carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel, woven fabrics comprising carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel, or nonwoven fabrics comprising carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel.

10. A lightning guard for an aerospace vehicle or aircraft, the lightning guard comprising carbon fibers coated with a conductive carbon aerogel, strands comprising carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel, woven fabrics comprising carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel, or nonwoven fabrics comprising carbon fiber coated with a conductive carbon aerogel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the example figures of drawings:

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a metal lattice in a CFRP composite;

[0010] FIG. 2 shows a carbon aerogel-coated carbon fiber;

[0011] FIG. 3 shows the production of such ensheathed carbon fibers; and

[0012] FIG. 4 shows a layer of carbon fibers with aerogel coating on a CFRP composite.

[0013] In the figures, identical reference numerals are used for identical or at least similar elements, components or aspects. It should be noted that embodiments are described in detail hereinafter that are merely illustrative and nonlimiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a metal lattice (1) that has been applied to a CFRP composite (2). Such a metal lattice (1) may consist of or comprise copper and is also referred to as copper mesh. It dissipates currents that are caused by a lightning strike (3).

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a carbon fiber (5) coated with carbon aerogel (4). The carbon fiber (5) is ensheathed with carbon aerogel (4).

[0016] FIG. 3 shows the production of the carbon fibers (5) ensheathed with carbon aerogel (4). The carbon fibers here are moved through a carbon aerogel bath (7) in the form of ribbons or strands (6). The fibers (6) may be prepregs. Untreated carbon fibers may be used in rolled-up form (8). The carbon fiber prepreg with aerogel coating (9) obtained can likewise be obtained in rolled-up form. A roller or cylinder (10) can dip the carbon fibers in the form of ribbons or strands (6) into the carbon aerogel bath (7).

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a layer of carbon fibers with aerogel coating (11) that has been applied to a CFRP composite (2). The layer (11) can dissipate currents that are caused by a lightning strike (3). It is possible to provide one or more plies of carbon fibers with aerogel coating as outer layer and apply them with a conventional resin matrix.

[0018] While the disclosure herein has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description, the intention is that such illustrations and descriptions are merely illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive, such that the disclosure herein is not restricted by the embodiments disclosed. In the claims, the word having does not exclude other elements and the indeterminate article a does not rule out a multitude,

[0019] Merely the fact that particular features are mentioned in different dependent claims does not restrict the subject-matter of the disclosure herein. Combinations of these features may also be used advantageously. The reference numerals in the claims are not intended to restrict the scope of the claims.

[0020] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a, an or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0021] 1 Metal lattice

[0022] 2 CFRP composite

[0023] 3 Lightning strike

[0024] 4 Carbon aerogel

[0025] 5 Carbon fiber

[0026] 6 Carbon fibers in the form of ribbons or strands

[0027] 7 Aerogel bath

[0028] 8 Carbon fiber prepreg

[0029] 9 Carbon fiber prepreg with aerogel coating

[0030] 10 Roll or cylinder

[0031] 11 Layer of carbon fibers with aerogel coating