US5057338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for application of powder particles to filamentary materials
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1990-05-16
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Granted: 1991-10-15
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Expires: 2010-05-16
Abstract
Abstract This invention is a process for the uniform application of polymer powder particles to a filamentary material in a continuous manner to form a uniform composite prepreg material. A tow of the filamentary material is fed under carefully controlled tension into a spreading unit, where it is spread pneumatically into an even band. The spread filamentary tow is then coated with polymer particles from a fluidized bed, after which the coated filamentary tow is fused before take-up on a package for subsequent utilization. This process produces a composite prepreg uniformly without imposing severe stress on the filamentary material, and without requiring long, high temperature residence times for the polymer.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Baucom
- 👤 John J. Snoha
- 👤 Joseph M. Marchello
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:41
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05C; B05C19/00; B05C19/02; B29; B29B; B29B15/00; B29B15/08; B29B15/10; B29B15/12; D; D02; D02J; D02J1/00; D02J1/18; D06; D06M; D06M23/00; D06M23/08; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/25; B29K2105/251; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S118/00; Y10S118/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A process for the uniform application of polymer powder particles to a filamentary material in a continuous manner to form a uniform composite prepreg material, which process comprises the following combination of sequential procedural steps: continuously feeding a tow of the filamentary material under controlled tension into a spreading unit, spreading the moving filamentary tow into an even band by a controlled cross-flow of air providing lateral force on the moving filamentary tow, coating the spread filamentary tow with polymer particles from a fluidized bed, which acts in cooperation with a bubbling bed resin feeder providing a constant, recirculating resin mass flow to the fluidized bed for steady-state operation, fusing the coated filamentary tow, and taking up the fused, coated filamentary tow on a package for subsequent utilization.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A process for the uniform application of polymer powder particles to a filamentary material in a continuous manner to form a uniform composite prepreg material, which process comprises the following combination of sequential procedural steps: continuously feeding a tow of the filamentary material under controlled tension into a spreading unit, spreading the moving filamentary tow into an even band by a controlled cross-flow of air providing lateral force on the moving filamentary tow, coating the spread filamentary tow with polymer particles from a fluidized bed, which acts in cooperation with a bubbling bed resin feeder providing a constant, recirculating resin mass flow to the fluidized bed for steady-state operation, fusing the coated filamentary tow, and taking up the fused, coated filamentary tow on a package for subsequent utilization.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fluidized bed provides a cloud of polymer powder particles which contacts the moving, spread filamentary tow.
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) | 1994-10-14 | 1995-04-15 | 1995-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-14 | 1999-04-15 | 1999-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-14 | 2003-04-15 | 2003-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |