CNT-TAILORED COMPOSITE SEA-BASED STRUCTURES

• US 20110132245A1
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied NanoStructured Solutions, LLC (Cabot Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied NanoStructured Solutions, LLC (Cabot Corporation)
• Inventors: SHAH, Tushar K., Malecki, Harry C., Hughes, John Anthony, Alberding, Mark R., Kline, Shawn C., Markkula, Samuel J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,601,965 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/90
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/10 Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles space shuttles B64G1/14
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/428 Power distribution and management
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/50 for temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/54 Protection against radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/546 shielding electronic equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/56 Protection against meteoroids or space debris
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/16 Preparation
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 5/06 using pretreated fibrous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 2026/002 Carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: C22C 49/14 characterised by the fibres or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles

Abstract

An apparatus having a composite sea-based structure with a first carbon nanotube infused material and a second carbon nanotube infused material. The first and second carbon nanotube infused materials each having a range of carbon nanotube loading selected to provide different functionalities.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a structure for use in water comprising a composite structure that comprises at least;

a first carbon nanotube infused material imparting a first functionality to the structure, the first functionality selected from electrical resistance, damage sensing, tensile strength, compressive strength, de-icing, shear strength, flexural strength, crack resistance, electromagnetic interference shielding, lightning strike protection, bio-fouling prevention, thermal conductivity, and radar absorption; and

a second carbon nanotube infused material imparting a second functionality to the structure, the second functionality selected from electrical resistance, damage sensing, tensile strength, compressive strength, de-icing, shear strength, flexural strength, crack resistance, electromagnetic interference shielding, lightning strike protection, bio-fouling prevention, thermal conductivity, and radar absorption.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the composite structure comprises a third carbon nanotube infused material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material is 0%.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to exposure to overhead power lines, and wherein the first functionality is electrical resistance.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material is between 0% and 2%.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to damage, and wherein the first functionality is damage sensing.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to tension, and wherein the first functionality is tensile strength.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to compression, and wherein the first functionality is compressive strength.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material is between 2% and 5%.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to ice formation, and wherein the first functionality is de-icing.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to shear, and wherein the first functionality is shear strength.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to cracking, and wherein the first functionality is crack resistance.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material is between 5% and 40%.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to exposure to electromagnetic interference, and wherein the first functionality is electromagnetic interference shielding.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to exposure to lightning strikes, and wherein the first functionality is lightning strike protection.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to be prone to growth of organisms, and wherein the first functionality is bio-fouling prevention.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to provide thermal conductivity, and wherein the first functionality is thermal conductivity.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material is a gradient.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material is located on the structure so as to provide radar absorption, and wherein the first functionality is absorption of radar waves.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure for use in water comprises a sailboat mast.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the sailboat mast comprises:

a main spar comprising an inner lining comprising the first carbon nanotube infused material comprising a high range of carbon nanotube loading, wherein the first functionality comprises lightning strike protection;

an upper portion comprising one or more outer layers comprising the second carbon nanotube infused material comprising a low range of carbon nanotube loading, wherein the second functionality comprises electrical resistance;

a lower portion comprising one or more outer layers comprising a third carbon nanotube infused material comprising a low range of carbon nanotube loading, imparting a third functionality to the structure, wherein the third functionality comprises tensile, compressive, and torsional strength;

one or more junctions between one or more cross member and the main spar comprising a fourth carbon nanotube infused material comprising a mid-range of carbon nanotube loading, imparting a fourth functionality to the structure, wherein the fourth functionality comprises shear strength;

a skin comprising a fifth carbon nanotube infused material comprising a low range of carbon nanotube loading, imparting a fifth functionality to the structure, wherein the fifth functionality comprises damage sensing; and

one or more outer layers comprising a sixth carbon nanotube infused material comprising a high range of carbon nanotube loading, imparting a sixth functionality to the structure, wherein the sixth functionality comprises bio-fouling prevention.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure for use in water comprises a radar dome, a boat hull, a stringer, or a deck.

20. A method comprising:

providing a structure for use in water comprising a composite structure that comprises at least;

a first carbon nanotube infused material imparting a first functionality to the structure, the first functionality selected from electrical resistance, damage sensing, tensile strength, compressive strength, de-icing, shear strength, flexural strength, crack resistance, electromagnetic interference shielding, lightning strike protection, bio-fouling prevention, thermal conductivity, and radar absorption; and

a second carbon nanotube infused material imparting a second functionality to the structure, the second functionality selected from electrical resistance, damage sensing, tensile strength, compressive strength, de-icing, shear strength, flexural strength, crack resistance, electromagnetic interference shielding, lightning strike protection, bio-fouling prevention, thermal conductivity, and radar absorption.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first carbon nanotube infused material and the second carbon nanotube infused material overlap.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

determining the first functionality; and

selecting a first carbon nanotube loading of the first carbon nanotube infused material based on the first functionality.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

determining the second functionality; and

selecting a second carbon nanotube loading of the second carbon nanotube infused material based on the second functionality.