US3989602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making reinforced composite structures
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1974-04-19
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1994-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A process for making composite structures built up on a mandrel having a smooth outer surface by winding a filament having at least one flat side as viewed in cross-section upon that surface with the flat side against it, and then electroforming matrix material on the wire and on the surface between spaced convolutions until the matrix material builds out beyond the level of the wound convolutions at all points, and then machining away the matrix material until a new smooth surface is attained on which to precision-wind the next filament convolutions with their flat sides in close contact therewith and with the spacings between convolutions very closely controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee C. McCandless
- 👤 Glenn E. Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:42
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D1/00; C25D1/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/922; Y10S428/9335; Y10S428/934; Y10S428/935; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49801; Y10T29/4998; Y10T29/49982; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12465; Y10T428/12486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
The process of making a composite structure on a mandrel having a smooth outer surface, said structure including multiple layers of reinforcing filaments spaced at different levels and embedded in a metallic matrix material, including the steps of: a. winding a filament having at least one flat side as viewed in cross-section onto said smooth outer surface with the flat side thereagainst and precision spacing successive convolutions; b. depositing metallic matrix material by electroforming onto the convolutions of the filament and onto said outer surface exposed therebetween, and continuing such electroforming until the matrix material between the convolutions builds up above the level of the wound filament; c. machining the structure by removing matrix material until a new smooth outer surface is exposed above the level of the filament; and d. repeating said steps to produce another layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
The process of making a composite structure on a mandrel having a smooth outer surface, said structure including multiple layers of reinforcing filaments spaced at different levels and embedded in a metallic matrix material, including the steps of: a. winding a filament having at least one flat side as viewed in cross-section onto said smooth outer surface with the flat side thereagainst and precision spacing successive convolutions; b. depositing metallic matrix material by electroforming onto the convolutions of the filament and onto said outer surface exposed therebetween, and continuing such electroforming until the matrix material between the convolutions builds up above the level of the wound filament; c. machining the structure by removing matrix material until a new smooth outer surface is exposed above the level of the filament; and d. repeating said steps to produce another layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said filament is D-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process as set forth in claim 2, wherein said filament is semicircular in cross-section and said convolutions are spaced apart no less than one-half the width of the filament as measured across its flat side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in claim 3, wherein said width of the filament is substantially within the range of 8 to 200 mils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein the filament is stainless steel wire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The process as set forth in claim 5, wherein the matrix material is nickel electroformed onto the filament and the exposed surface between convolutions, and wherein between each winding step and the subsequent electroforming step there is interposed the step of treating the wound convolutions and the surface therebetween by degreasing and reactivating them to insure bonding of the matrix material subsequently electroformed thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |