3-D fabrics and fabric preforms for composites having integrated systems, devices, and/or networks

• US 20050146076A1
• Filed: 11/19/2003
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bogdanovich Alexander, Wigent Don
• Original Assignee: Bogdanovich Alexander, Wigent Don
• Inventors: Don, Wigent, Alexander, Bogdanovich
• Application Number:
  US10/716,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20050146076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/257
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/24 oriented in at least three directions forming a three dimensional structure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/88 characterised primarily by possessing specific properties, e.g. electrically conductive or locally reinforced
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/12 Shape memory
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 1/0088 Fabrics having an electronic function
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 25/005 Three-dimensional woven fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2101/12 Carbon; Pitch
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/046 Shape recovering or form memory
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/20 optical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24058 including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3195 Three-dimensional weave [e.g., x-y-z planes, multi-planar warps and/or wefts, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/322 Warp differs from weft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3325 Including a foamed layer or component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3366 Woven fabric is coated, impregnated, or autogenously bonded

Abstract

A 3-D fabric preform for composites including a three-dimensional engineered fiber preform formed by intersecting yarn system components; and at least one system, device, and/or network integrated with the preform for providing a predetermined function, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network is introduced prior to formation of a composite structure including the preform, thereby providing a 3-D fabric preform for composites. Also, a method for forming the 3-D fabric preform for composites including a three-dimensional engineered fiber preform formed by intersecting yarn system components; and at least one system, device, and/or network integrated with the preform for providing a predetermined function, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network is introduced prior to formation of a composite structure including the preform, thereby providing a 3-D fabric preform for composites.

Claims

1. A 3-D fabric or preform for composites comprising:

a three-dimensional engineered fiber preform formed by intersecting yarn system components; and

at least one system, device, and/or network integrated with the preform for providing a predetermined function,

wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network is introduced prior to formation of a composite structure including the preform,

thereby providing a 3-D fabric preform for composites.

2. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network is introduced at or during the fabric-forming process.

3. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network is introduced after the fabric-forming process, but prior to the formation of the composite or other application of the fabric.

4. The preform according to claim 2, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network is integrated with the preform while the preform is being formed on a machine.

5. The preform according to 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network is automatically integrated with the preform.

6. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network is manually integrated with the preform.

7. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the preform is formed from a 3-D woven fabric.

8. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the preform is formed from a 3-D orthogonally woven fabric.

9. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the preform is formed from a 3-D braided fabric.

10. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the preform is formed from a 3-D multiaxial fabric.

11. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one sensor.

12. The preform according to claim 11, wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of fiber optic sensors, piezoelectric sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, piezomagnetic sensors, electrically conductive sensors, hydraulic sensors, and combinations thereof, and combinations thereof.

13. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes electrically conductive components.

14. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the components include electrically conductive components aimed at telecommunication, data transmission, electromagnetic reception, electromagnetic transmission, electromagnetic diffusion/diffraction, electromagnetic shielding of electronic equipment, personnel protection against electromgnetic radiation, and other similar functions which are distinct from the functions of sensing and actuation.

15. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one actuator.

16. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one transducer.

17. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one diagnostic system, device, or network.

18. The preform according to claim 17, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one fabric diagnostic system, device, or network.

19. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one magnetic component.

20. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one component for releasing a medication.

21. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one component for repairing the preform.

22. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one audio component.

23. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one video component.

24. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one receiver and/or transmitter components.

25. The preform according to claim 1, where the 3-D fabric or preform is to be used for its own purpose or without being included in further composite processes.

26. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the preform is formed from a 3-D multiaxial woven fabric incorporating more than three directions of fibers/tows, where at least one of them is oriented at an angle to the direction of fabric formation.

27. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the network forms a circuit for the transmission of fluids, electricity, or light.

28. The preform according to claim 1 wherein the network forms a circuit for the transmission of fluids, electricity, or light and which performs logical functions.

29. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the preform is formed from/as a 3-D warp-knitted fabric.

30. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one optical fiber.

31. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one piezoelectric fiber or other piezoelectric object substantially extended in one direction.

32. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one shape memory alloy fiber or other shape memory alloy object substantially extended in one direction.

33. The preform according to claim 1, wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network includes at least one tubular, hollow, or microchannel fiber, rod, or filament.

39. A polymer matrix composite material which is manufactured with the utilization of the preform according to claim 1 using any suitable room temperature or elevated temperature composite fabrication technique.

40. A ceramic matrix, metal matrix and/or carbon matrix composite material which is manufactured with the utilization of the preform according to claim 1 using any suitable processing technique, with the selection of the system, device, and/or network able to maintain its functionality in a respective high temperature processing and/or in-service environment.

34. A method for forming a 3-D preform for composites comprising the steps of:

providing yarn system component for forming a three-dimensional engineered fiber preform formed by intersecting textile system components; and

providing at least one system, device, and/or network integrated with the preform for providing a predetermined function,

wherein the at least one system, device, and/or network is introduced prior to formation of a composite structure including the preform,

thereby providing a 3-D fabric preform for composites.

35. The method according to claim 34, further including the steps of:

introducing device/network materials to the textile processing system supply for integration with the preform in at least one fiber or pathway of the network materials;

producing the preform via a textile processing system;

thereby producing a 3-D fabric having integrated networks/devices therein.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the at least one fiber or pathway of the network materials, device and/or sensors is a substantially straight pathway.

37. The method according to claim 35 wherein the at least one fiber or pathway is flexible.

38. The method according to claim 35 wherein the at least one fiber or pathway is rigid.