Claims
- 1. A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic part, comprising the steps of:
extruding thermoplastic resin to form an first layer; extruding thermoplastic resin to form a second layer; introducing a layer of conductive fibers between the first and second layers; and applying current to the conductive fibers to melt the resin in the first and second layers to form a composite substrate.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the conductive fibers are non-ferrous.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer of conductive fibers contains a thermosetting resin.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer of conductive fibers is consolidated with thermoplastic filaments.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer of conductive fibers contains a copolymer resin.
- 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying pressure to finalize the shape of the finished part.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical current is applied by direct contact with the conductive layer.
- 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical current is induced into the conductive elements by induction.
- 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of introducing the layer of conductive fibers is accomplished by winding the layer.
- 10. A method of forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic substrate comprising:
providing a thermoplastic sheet; providing a layer of conductive fibers; compressing the thermoplastic sheet against the conductive layer; and electrically resistively heating the conductive layer to melt the thermoplastic sheet to flow into the fibers of the conductive layer.
- 11. A composite substrate for a fiber reinforced plastic part comprising a first thermoplastic sheet, and a conductive layer, said first thermoplastic sheet and conductive layer integrally consolidated.
- 12. The composite substrate of claim 11 further comprising a thermosetting resin in said conductive layer.
- 13. The composite substrate of claim 11 further comprising an adhesive disposed between said conductive layer and said first thermoplastic sheet.
- 14. The composite of claim 11 wherein said conductive layer comprises a plurality of conductive fibers and a plurality of thermoplastic filaments.
- 15. The composite of claim 11 further comprising a second thermoplastic sheet integrally consolidated with said conductive layer and said first thermoplastic sheet..
- 16. A method for forming composite parts using filament winding utilizing intralaminar heat cure comprising the steps of:
utilizing electrical contacts to provide electrical continuity through electrically conductive fibers impregnated with a thermosetting resin matrix; said electrically conductive fibers used as continuous reinforcement in a filament winding operation; and applying an electrical current to said electrically conductive continuous fibers during the winding process to heat the thermosetting resin matrix to a temperature below its gel point to reduce viscosity and improve flow.
- 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said fibers are non-ferrous.
- 18. A method of forming a composite part comprising the steps of:
providing a conductive filament; running said conductive filament through an electrical contact, said electrical contact connected to a supply of electric power; running said filament through a resin bath; and, winding said filament to a mandrel including a second electrical contact connected to said supply of power.
- 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising inducing electric current through said conductive filament to cure said resin.
- 20. The method of claim 18 wherein said conductive filament is a non-ferrous fiber.
- 21. The method of claim 18 wherein said conductive filament is a tape
- 22. The method of claim 18 wherein said filament is impregnated with a thermosetting resin.
- 23. The method of claim 19 comprising applying an electrical current to said electrically conductive filament at the completion of the winding operation to produce heat to cure the thermosetting resin matrix.
- 24. A method of forming a composite part comprising the steps of:
providing a conductive filament impregnated with a resin; running said conductive filament through an electrical contact, said electrical contact connected to a supply of electric power; and, winding said filament to a mandrel including a second electrical contact connected to said supply of power.
- 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising inducing electric current through said conductive filament to cure said resin.
- 26. A composite structure for curing a concrete object placed on the structure, the composite structure comprising:
an upper section having a fiber architecture impregnated with a resin, the fiber architecture formed from a plurality of conductive fibers; a lower section having a portion of insulation material and a portion of heat reflective material, the insulation material adapted to insulate the structure, the reflective material adapted to reflect heat from the lower section to the upper section; a plurality of electrical contacts, the contacts connected to the conductive fibers in the upper section; and, a plurality of electric leads, the leads connected to the contacts and a power source.
- 27. The composite structure of claim 26 wherein the upper section has an outer surface, the outer surface adapted to receive the object, the outer surface having an epoxy coating.
- 28. The composite structure of claim 26 wherein the lower section has an outer surface, the outer surface having an epoxy coating.
- 29. The composite structure of claim 26 wherein the upper section has a portion of high-strength materials adapted to support the concrete object.
- 30. The composite structure of claim 26 wherein the fiber architecture further comprises a plurality of non-conductive fibers.
- 31. The composite structure of claim 26 wherein the conductive fibers are carbon fibers.
- 32. A composite structure for curing a concrete conduit positioned on the structure, the structure comprising:
an upper section having a fiber architecture impregnated with a resin, the fiber architecture formed from a plurality of conductive fibers, the upper portion further having a plurality of electrical contacts, the contacts connected to the conductive fibers; a lower section having a portion of insulation material and heat reflective material, the insulation material positioned above the heat reflective material, the insulation material adapted to insulate the structure, the reflective material adapted to reflect heat from the lower section to the upper section; and, a plurality of electric leads, the leads connected to the contacts and a power source.
- 33. The composite structure of claim 32 wherein the upper section has an outer surface, the outer surface adapted to receive the conduit, the outer surface having an epoxy coating.
- 34. The composite structure of claim 32 wherein the lower section has an outer surface, the outer surface having an epoxy coating.
- 35. The composite structure of claim 32 wherein the upper section has a portion of high-strength materials adapted to support the concrete conduit.
- 36. The composite structure of claim 32 wherein the fiber architecture further comprises a plurality of non-conductive fibers.
- 37. The composite structure of claim 32 wherein the conductive fibers are carbon.
- 38. The composite structure of claim 32 wherein a form is positioned on the outer surface, the form having a material composition adapted to facilitate heat transfer from the composite structure to the conduit.
- 39. A method for curing a concrete object comprising the steps of:
providing a composite structure having an upper section, the upper section having an upper surface, the upper section further having a fiber architectureimpregnated with a resin, the fiber architecture formed from a plurality of conductive fibers; a lower section having a portion of insulation material and a portion of heat reflective material; positioning an un-cured concrete object on the upper surface such that a lower portion of the concrete object is in contact with the upper surface; applying current to the conductive fibers in the upper section to resistively heat the conductive fiber and cure the lower portion of the concrete object.
- 40. The method of claim 39 further comprising the step of connecting electric leads to a power source and the conductive fibers in the upper section.
- 41. The method of claim 39 further comprising the step of connecting electrical contacts, to the conductive fibers in the upper section.
- 42. The method of claim 39 further comprising the step of applying additional current to the conductive fibers in the upper section to resistively heat the conductive fibers and cure an upper portion of the concrete object.
- 43. The method of claim 39 further comprising the step of applying additional current to the conductive fibers in the upper section to resistively heat the conductive fibers and cure the entire concrete object.
- 44. method for curing a concrete conduit comprising the steps of:
providing a composite structure having an upper section, the upper section having an upper surface, the upper section further having a fiber architecture impregnated with a resin, the fiber architecture formed from a plurality of conductive fibers; a lower section having a portion of insulation material and a portion of heat reflective material; positioning a form on the upper surface such that a lower portion of the form is in contact with the upper surface of the composite structure; positioning an un-cured concrete conduit about the form such that the an inner surface of the conduit is proximate an outer surface of the form, the conduit further positioned such that a lower surface of the conduit is in contact with the upper surface of the composite structure; applying current to the conductive fibers in the upper section to resistively heat the conductive fiber and cure the lower portion of the concrete object.
- 45. The method of claim 44 further comprising the step of connecting electric leads to a power source and the conductive fibers in the upper section.
- 46. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of applying additional current to the conductive fibers in the upper section to resistively heat the conductive fibers and cure an upper portion of the concrete object.
- 47. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of applying additional current to the conductive fibers in the upper section to resistively heat the conductive fibers and cure the entire concrete object.
RELATED CASES
[0001] The present invention claims priority from provisional application nos. 60/180,575; 60/179,949 and 60/179,962.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US01/40021 |
2/5/2001 |
WO |
|