Claims
- 1. A tubular structure, comprising a substantially cylindrical metal tube, having a wall with a series of apertures and a composite material placed therewithin, wherein said composite material is contiguous with an inner surface of said wall of said metal tube.
- 2. A tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein each of said apertures have substantially the same shape.
- 3. A tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein said apertures are substantially symmetrical to one another.
- 4. A tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein said composite material extends through said apertures.
- 5. A tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein said metal tube has an outer surface defining an outer plane and wherein said composite material extends through said apertures a distance such that an outer surface of said portion of said composite material extending through said aperture is contiguous with said outer plane.
- 6. A tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein said apertures have a diamond shape.
- 7. A tubular structure according to claim 1, further comprising an inner sleeve.
- 8. A composite structure, comprising an outer structure with at least one outer wall that at least partially enclose a volume, said outer structure having a series of apertures, and a composite material placed on an inner side of said outer structure, wherein said composite material is contiguous with said inner surface.
- 9. A composite structure according to claim 8, wherein each of said apertures have substantially the same shape.
- 10. A composite structure according to claim 8, wherein said apertures are substantially symmetrical to one another.
- 11. A composite structure according to claim 8, wherein said composite material extends through said apertures.
- 12. A composite structure according to claim 8, wherein said outer structure has an outer surface defining an outer plane and wherein said composite material extends through said apertures a distance such that an outer surface of said portion of said composite material extending through said aperture is contiguous with said outer plane.
- 13. A composite structure according to claim 12, wherein said outer structure has a rectangular shape.
- 14. A composite structure according to claim 13, wherein said apertures are located on at least two opposing walls of said rectangular shaped outer structure.
- 15. A composite structure according to claim 12, wherein said outer structure has an octagonal shape.
- 16. A composite structure according to claim 15, wherein said apertures are located on at least two opposing walls of said octagonal shaped outer structure.
- 17. A composite structure according to claim 12, further comprising an inner sleeve.
- 18. An improved tubular structure, comprising:
a substantially cylindrical metal tube having an outer surface defining an outer plane and having a series of symmetrical diamond shaped apertures in a wall of said metal tube; a composite material placed within said metal tube, wherein said composite material is contiguous with an inner surface of said wall of said metal tube, and wherein said composite material extends through said apertures a distance such that an outer surface of said portion of said composite material extending through said aperture is contiguous with said outer plane.
- 19. A method for manufacturing an improved composite structure, comprising:
providing a substantially cylindrical metal tube having a wall defining an outer surface which defines an outer plane; placing a series of apertures in said wall of said metal tube; placing a composite material within said metal tube; placing an elastomeric bladder within said composite material; pressurizing said elastomeric material such that said composite material , such that said composite material expands to be contiguous with an inner surface of said wall of said metal tube and such that said composite material extends through said apertures a distance such that an outer surface of said portion of said composite material extending through said aperture is contiguous with said outer plane.
- 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising placing said metal tube and composite material and elastomeric bladder combination in a mold prior to pressurizing said elastomeric bladder.
- 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said apertures are substantially symmetrical on said metal tube.
- 22. The method according to claim 19, wherein said apertures are substantially diamond shaped.
- 23. The method according to claim 19, further comprising placing an inner sleeve within said composite material.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 60/361,618 entitled “Design and Manufacturing Method for Multi-Material Tube Structures,” filed on Mar. 4, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60361618 |
Mar 2002 |
US |