DISTORTION RESISTANT TRANSPARENT REINFORCING FIBERS FOR USE IN TRANSPARENT REINFORCED COMPOSITES

• US 20090181211A1
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Wilenski, Mark S., Godby, Larry A., Markus, Alan M., LANG, Adam J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,334,378 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/113
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1492 Structure and mounting of the transparent elements in the window or windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 5/043 with glass fibres
• CPC Class Codes: D06M 23/16 Processes for the non-uniform application of treating agents, e.g. one-sided treatment; Differential treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/0407 Transparent bullet-proof laminatesinformative reference: layered products essentially comprising glass in general B32B17/06, e.g. B32B17/10009; manufacture or composition of glass, e.g. joining glass to glass C03; permanent multiple-glazing windows, e.g. with spacing therebetween, E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4403 with ribbon structure G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24058 including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24124 Fibers

Abstract

A reinforcing fiber for reinforcing a transparent matrix composite. The fiber includes a substantially transparent fiber ribbon having an elongated cross-sectional geometry. The fiber ribbon includes edges that are substantially opaque. Light is substantially prevented from passing through the opaque edges to reduce or eliminate light distortion through the fiber. A composite utilizing the reinforcing fibers and a method for making a window assembly and a method for manufacturing a vehicle are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A reinforcing fiber for reinforcing a transparent matrix composite comprising:

a substantially transparent fiber ribbon comprising an elongated cross-sectional geometry, the fiber ribbon having edges that are substantially opaque; and

wherein light is substantially prevented from passing through the edges.

2. The fiber of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional geometry is selected from the group consisting of a substantially rectangular geometry, a curved geometry and combinations thereof.

3. The fiber of claim 1, wherein the edges are fabricated from an opaque material.

4. The fiber of claim 1, wherein the edges are coated with an opaque material.

5. A substantially transparent reinforced matrix composite comprising:

a substantially transparent matrix material;

a plurality of reinforcing fiber ribbons disposed in the transparent matrix material, the fiber ribbons having an elongated cross-sectional geometry, the fiber ribbons having one or more edges that are substantially opaque; and

wherein light is substantially prevented from passing through the edges.

6. The composite of claim 5, wherein the cross-sectional geometry is selected from the group consisting of a substantially rectangular geometry, a curved geometry and combinations thereof.

7. The composite of claim 5, wherein the edges are fabricated from an opaque material.

8. The composite of claim 5, wherein the edges are coated with an opaque material.

9. The composite of claim 5, wherein the transparent matrix material is a polymer.

10. The composite of claim 5, wherein the transparent matrix material is selected from the group consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate, polyetherimide, bismaleimide and epoxy.

11. The composite of claim 5, wherein light distortion through the matrix composite is substantially eliminated.

12. The composite of claim 5, wherein the transparent reinforced matrix composite is configured into a window assembly.

13. The composite of claim 12, wherein the window assembly includes a window for an aircraft.

14. The composite of claim 12, wherein the window assembly includes a window for an architectural structure.

15. The composite of claim 5, wherein the transparent reinforced matrix composite is configured into a transparent shield.

16. A method for fabricating a window assembly comprising:

providing a plurality of reinforcing fiber ribbons, the fiber ribbons having an elongated cross-sectional geometry, the fiber ribbons having one or more edges that are substantially opaque,

wherein light is substantially prevented from passing through the opaque edges;

arranging and disposing the plurality of reinforcing fiber ribbons into a substantially transparent matrix;

curing the matrix to form a substantially transparent reinforced matrix composite; and

assembling the reinforced matrix composite into a window assembly.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cross-sectional geometry is selected from the group consisting of a substantially rectangular geometry, a curved geometry and combinations thereof.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the edges are fabricated from an opaque material.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the edges are coated with an opaque material.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the opaque material is opaque glass.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the transparent matrix material is a polymer.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein light distortion through the matrix composite is substantially eliminated.

23. A method of manufacturing a vehicle comprising:

providing a vehicle;

providing a transparent reinforced composite window assembly comprising;

a substantially transparent matrix material;

a plurality of reinforcing fiber ribbons disposed in the transparent matrix material, the fiber ribbons having an elongated cross-sectional geometry, the fiber ribbons having one or more edges that are substantially opaque; and

wherein light is substantially prevented from passing through the edges; and

assembling the window assembly into the vehicle.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the vehicle is an armored vehicle.