Abstract:
Disclosed embodiments relate to trays typically comprising a composite internal structure, a thermoplastic frame typically located about the composite internal structure, and two cover sheets forming the upper and lower tray surfaces. The composite internal structure may be a corrugated composite structure in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the composite internal structure may comprise a series of composite elements (which might act a beams or struts). The cover sheets may comprise thermoplastic material, and in some embodiments, the cover sheets may comprise composite material (for example the same as for the corrugated composite structure). In some exemplary embodiments, the thermoplastic frame and the composite internal structure may have the same thermoplastic material, and they may be joined together to have a plurality of homogeneous connective attachments.
Abstract:
Contoured composite structural members (2) and methods for making the same are described. The contoured structural members (2) comprise composite materials and the contoured structure (2) can be provided by tube rolling (or roll wrapping) the composite materials together and then, if necessary, bonding them or connecting them. The outer surface (8) can be provided with a polygonal shape during the process of manufacturing. With a contoured structure and an outer polygonal shape, applications for the structural members of the present invention are increased.
Abstract:
A method of producing a corrugated sheet material which comprises supplying a film of thermoplastic material in softened form to en embossing roller, embossing a series of interconnected corrugations onto the film and laminating to the film so embossed to one or more further films so as to produce the corrugated sheet material. The corrugations produced by the embossing roller are "interconnected" by which is meant that all corrugations should not run parallel to one another as with conventional corrugated sheet materials, but that the corrugations run in at least two, and preferably more, directions, thereby intersecting one another. A preferred form of corrugations is in the form of interconnected star shapes. The use of interconnected corrugations leads to the following advantages: the rigidity of the sheet in all directions is improved; and the fact that the corrugations are interconnected leads to areas where air is entrapped and this also enhances the rigidity and impact resistance of the sheet material.
Abstract:
Produit stratifié (1 ) formant une structure cellulaire déformable, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins : o une bande supérieure (2) et une bande inférieure (3) orientées toutes deux selon une même direction principale (X); o entre les deux bandes et connectant ces dernières en des zones (4a, 4b) dites zones d'ancrage, une série (5A, 5B, 5C) s'étendant dans la direction X, de structures cylindriques (5) dites structures cylindriques de connexion non jointives selon la direction X, et en ce que chaque structure cylindrique de connexion (5) comporte une pluralité de cylindres élémentaires préférentiellement concentriques (5a, 5b) ayant leur génératrice orientée selon un axe Y perpendiculaire à la direction X, lesdits cylindres élémentaires étant emboîtés les uns dans les autres et interconnectés entre eux dans chaque zone d'ancrage (4). Lesdits cylindres élémentaires sont notamment des cylindres composites comportant des fibres noyées dans une matrice de résine. Un tel produit stratifié est utilisable comme une poutre élastique à résistance élevée aux efforts en flexion-compression et à haute endurance à de tels efforts répétés ou alternés, en particulier comme bande de cisaillement dans une roue élastique non pneumatique.
Abstract:
The present invention provides contoured crushable composite structural members (2) and methods for making the same. The contoured structural members (2) comprise composite materials (4, 8) sandwhiching a support or stabilizing structure (6). The contoured structure (2) can be provided by tube rolling (or roll wrapping) the composite materials (4, 8) and the support structure (6) together and then, if necessary, bonding or connecting them. The structural members are made crushable by incorporating an initiator into the structures of the members. With a contoured, crushable, and generally non-flat structure, applications for the structural members of the present invention are nearly limitless.
Abstract:
Cored contoured composite structural members (2) and methods for making the same. The structural members (2) are of a contoured structure and comprise inner (4) and outer (8) materials with an intermediate supporting or stabilizing structure (6). The contoured structure of the structural member (2) can be provided by tube rolling or roll wrapping the inner (4) and outer (8) composite materials and the intermediate support structure (6) together and then, if necessary, bonding or connecting them. With a contoured and generally non-flat structure, the applications for the structural members (2) of the present invention are nearly limitless.
Abstract:
Modified contoured crushable structural members (2) and methods for making the same are described. The contoured structural members (2) comprise composite or metal materials (4, 8) sandwiching a support or stabilizing structure (6). The structural members are made crushable by incorporating an initiator (14) into the structural members. The structural member (2) crushes at the location of the initiator (14) by absorbing the energy of an exerting load. The modified structure is provided by attaching additional structural components or elements to the end or outside of the structural member or by modifying the shape of the structural member. With a modified, contoured, crushable, and generally non-flat structure, applications and used for the structural members of the present invention are nearly limitless.
Abstract:
A process of making a multi-layered product (50) made from multiple extruded sheets or webs (51, 52) of material laminated or joined together. In several embodiments, at least one of the webs is extruded such that the extrudate (12, 12a, 12b) has different properties. When introduced into a dimpler (15, 68,108), the extrudate (12, 12a, 12b) is treated such that a plurality of dimples (26, 28, 72, 74, 1 12) are created in the web. A pair of outer skins (52, 52A, 72, 92) are laminated or applied to the dimpled interior layer (24, 51, 70, 90, 100,1 10). The outer skins (52, 52A, 72, 92, 102, 1 16) may have identical properties or different properties within each outer skin.
Abstract:
The structural element (10) comprises a shell (12) made of at least one layer of composite material comprising a fibre-reinforced polymeric matrix, and a core (14) made of ductile material, in particular of metal, such as high-strength steel. Advantageously, the shell (12) comprises two half-shells (12a, 12b) joined to each other, for instance by heat fusion of the respective polymeric matrices or by gluing with structural adhesives, and the core (14) is attached inside the shell (12).
Abstract:
An energy absorbing unit, for example a bonnet which has an outer and inner skin on a thermoplastic core, the core having greater compression strength in the direction perpendicular to the skins than in the direction parallel to them. One of the skins is bonded by heating the core and the other by heating and/or adhesive. Protection against hard points underlying the vehicle bonnet is provided.