公开(公告)号：US09782928B2

公开(公告)日：2017-10-10

申请号：US14843422

申请日：2015-09-02

申请人： Eric G. Barnes ,  Sung S. Park ,  Pedro A. Gonzalez ,  Anthony Tamayo ,  Todd Lewis Szallay

发明人： Eric G. Barnes ,  Sung S. Park ,  Pedro A. Gonzalez ,  Anthony Tamayo ,  Todd Lewis Szallay

IPC分类号： B32B37/00 ,  B29C65/08 ,  B29K101/12 ,  B29K307/04

CPC分类号： B29C65/08 ,  B29C65/564 ,  B29C66/71 ,  B29C66/7212 ,  B29C66/73921 ,  B29C70/82 ,  B29K2101/12 ,  B29K2307/04 ,  B29K2277/10 ,  B29K2309/08 ,  B29K2063/00 ,  B29K2079/085 ,  B29K2071/00 ,  B29K2065/00

摘要： A system is described for reinforcing a thermoplastic workpiece including a subject surface and an underlying workpiece body volume. At least one substantially linear Z-pin having proximal and distal pin ends longitudinally separated by a pin body is provided. The proximal pin end is in direct contact with the subject surface. An ultrasonic energy source applies ultrasonic energy to the Z-pin to ultrasonically heat the Z-pin and thus locally melt the workpiece material of the subject surface and/or the workpiece body to create a melted workpiece material. The proximal pin end and at least a portion of the pin body of the Z-pin are penetrated into the melted workpiece material to create an inserted Z-pin length. The inserted Z-pin length is maintained in the workpiece body volume by solidified melted workpiece material around the inserted Z-pin length to reinforce the workpiece. A method of reinforcing a workpiece is also provided.