Mark Keith Shaffer

US Patent:

6881374, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Sep 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/253032

Inventors:

Jack K. Gerhard - Ridgeley WV, US
Eric J. Lynam - Keyser WV, US
Mark R. Shaffer - Hyndman PA, US
Shridhar Yariagadda - Newark DE, US
Nicholas B. Shevchenko - Newark DE, US
Bruce K. Fink - Havre de Grace MD, US
Dirk Heider - Newark DE, US
John J. Tierney - Newark DE, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

B29C033/02
B29C035/08
B29C035/16

US Classification:

264487, 264486, 264 401, 264294, 264348

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming laminate composite structures. At least two laminae, each containing electrically conductive reinforcing fibers, are placed upon each other in contacting relationship to form a generally layered structure. The layered structure may be subjected to heat to conductively transfer heat through the layered structure and thereby improve the surface contact between two laminae. The layered structure is volumetrically heated by inductively transferring energy to the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. The heated, layered structure is consolidated, such as by applying pressure and reducing the temperature of the layered structure. The consolidated structure is then quenched by rapidly cooling the consolidated structure in a directionally controlled manner about a midplane thereof.

US Patent:

7419373, Sep 2, 2008

Filed:

Apr 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/109491

Inventors:

Jack K. Gerhard - Ridgeley WV, US
Eric J. Lynam - Keyser WV, US
Mark R. Shaffer - Hyndman PA, US
Shridhar Yariagadda - Newark DE, US
Nicholas B. Shevchenko - Newark DE, US
Bruce K. Fink - Havre de Grace MD, US
Dirk Heider - Newark DE, US
John J. Tierney - Newark DE, US

Assignee:

Alliant Techsystems Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B29C 35/10

US Classification:

4251746, 425371, 425384, 425404

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming laminate composite structures. At least two laminae, each containing electrically conductive reinforcing fibers, are placed upon each other in contacting relationship to form a generally layered structure. The layered structure may be subjected to heat to conductively transfer heat through the layered structure and thereby improve the surface contact between the two laminae. The layered structure is volumetrically heated by inductively transferring energy to the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. The heated, layered structure is consolidated, such as by applying pressure and reducing the temperature of the layered structure. The consolidated structure is then quenched by rapidly cooling the consolidated structure in a directionally controlled manner about a midplane thereof.