Thomas P. Forman - Greenwich CT Rance B. Fox - Milford CT George E. Sabak - Monroe CT Timothy A. Sands - Muncy Valley PA Paul A. Vallier - Kensington CT
Assignee:
Dow-United Technologies Composite Products, Inc. - Wallingford CT
International Classification:
B32B 108
US Classification:
428 341
Abstract:
A multi-vane structure for incorporation in an aircraft gas turbine engine has vanes of complex geometry made of braided fibers which are continuous about the cavities defined by the vanes. These complex geometry parts are prepared by providing a plurality of removable mandrels, stacking the mandrels along a horizontal axis in a cavity end to cavity end configuration, braiding about the mandrels, cutting the mandrels adjacent the cavity end faces, side stacking the mandrels so the faces are placed in a parallel orientation and molding. Utilizing braided fibers instead of hand lay-up woven fibers eliminates seams and produces cavities having continuous fibers about the periphery thereof which substantially increases the strength and dimensional reproducibly of the part.
Braided Complex Composite Parts And Methods Of Forming Same
Thomas P. Forman - Greenwich CT Rance B. Fox - Milford CT George E. Sabak - Monroe CT Timothy A. Sands - Muncy Valley PA Paul A. Vallier - Kensington CT
Assignee:
Dow-United Technologies Composite Products Inc. - Wallingford CT
International Classification:
B32B 108
US Classification:
428 341
Abstract:
A multi-vane structure for incorporation in an aircraft gas turbine engine has vanes of complex geometry made of braided fibers which are continuous about the cavities defined by the vanes. These complex geometry parts are prepared by providing a plurality of removable mandrels, stacking the mandrels along a horizontal axis in a cavity end to cavity end configuration, braiding about the mandrels, cutting the mandrels adjacent the cavity end faces, side stacking the mandrels so the faces are placed in a parallel orientation and molding. Utilizing braided fibers instead of hand lay-up woven fibers eliminates seams and produces cavities having continuous fibers about the periphery thereof which substantially increases the strength and dimensional reproducibly of the part.
Thomas P. Forman - Greenwich CT Rance B. Fox - Milford CT George E. Sabak - Monroe CT Timothy A. Sands - Muncy Valley PA Paul A. Vallier - Kensington CT
Assignee:
Dow-United Technologies Composite Products, Inc. - Wallingford CT
International Classification:
B29C 7030 B32B 512 B32B 3100
US Classification:
264103
Abstract:
A multi-vane structure for incorporation in an aircraft gas turbine engine has vanes of complex geometry made of braided fibers which are continuous about the cavities defined by the vanes. These complex geometry parts are prepared by providing a plurality of removable mandrels, stacking the mandrels along a horizontal axis in a cavity end to cavity end configuration, braiding about the mandrels, cutting the mandrels adjacent the cavity end faces, side stacking the mandrels so the faces are placed in a parallel orientation and molding. Utilizing braided fibers instead of hand lay-up woven fibers eliminates seams and produces cavities having continuous fibers about the periphery thereof which substantially increases the strength and dimensional reproducibly of the part.