Composite sandwich with improved ballistic toughness
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A composite structure comprising:
- three core layers;
each of said core layers being formed from an aluminum or aluminum alloy honeycomb material;
a plurality of inner plies positioned between adjacent ones of said core layers, each of said inner plies being formed from an organic matrix composite;
an inner skin located adjacent an innermost one of said core layers; and
an outer skin located adjacent an outermost one of said core layers.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A composite structure having improved ballistic toughness and suitable for use in a fan containment case is provided. The composite structure includes a plurality of core layers, a plurality of inner plies position between adjacent ones of the core layers, each of the inner plies being formed from an organic matrix composite, an inner skin located adjacent an innermost one of the core layers, and an outer skin located adjacent an outermost one of the core layers. In a preferred embodiment, the core layers are formed from a honeycomb material made from aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
46 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A composite structure comprising:
-
three core layers;
each of said core layers being formed from an aluminum or aluminum alloy honeycomb material;
a plurality of inner plies positioned between adjacent ones of said core layers, each of said inner plies being formed from an organic matrix composite;
an inner skin located adjacent an innermost one of said core layers; and
an outer skin located adjacent an outermost one of said core layers. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
2-3. -3. (canceled)
-
4. A composite structure comprising:
-
three core layers;
a plurality of inner plies positioned between adjacent ones of said core layers, each of said inner plies being formed from an organic matrix composite;
an inner skin located adjacent an innermost one of said core layers;
an outer skin located adjacent an outermost one of said core layers; and
wherein each of said core layers is formed from a foam material. - View Dependent Claims (15)
-
-
9. A gas turbine engine comprising:
-
a fan having a plurality of blades;
a fan containment case surrounding said fan; and
said fan containment case being formed from a composite structure comprising three core layers, each of said core layers being formed from a foam material or an aluminum or aluminum alloy honeycomb material, a plurality of inner plies positioned between adjacent ones of said core layers, each of said inner plies being formed from an organic matrix composite, an inner skin located adjacent an innermost one of said core layers, and an outer skin located adjacent an outermost one of said core layers. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
10. (canceled)
-
14. A composite structure comprising:
-
a plurality of core layers;
a plurality of inner plies positioned between adjacent ones of said core layers, each of said inner plies being formed from an organic matrix composite, said organic matrix material comprising a plurality of fibers surrounded by a matrix, said fibers being selected from the group consisting of Fiberglass, aramid, carbon, and mixtures thereof, and said matrix being selected from the group consisting of bismaleimide, polyamide resins, and mixtures thereof;
an inner skin located adjacent an innermost one of said core layers; and
an outer skin located adjacent an outermost one of said core layers.
-
-
16. A gas turbine engine comprising:
-
a fan having a plurality of blades;
a fan containment case surrounding said fan;
said fan containment case being formed from a composite structure comprising a plurality of core layers, a plurality of inner plies positioned between adjacent ones of said core layers, each of said inner plies being formed from an organic matrix composite, an inner skin located adjacent an innermost one of said core layers, and an outer skin located adjacent an outermost one of said core layers; and
means for retaining a broken fan blade fragment surrounding the outer skin, said retaining means supplying a compression load which generates shear forces in the core layers of the composite structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
Specification