Structural polymer core assembly, method of manufacture and method of use

• US 7,297,390 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2003
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Composites, Inc. (Innovative Composites International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Richard A. Simmons
• Inventors: Stoll, John R., Panik, Keith, Simmons, Richard A., Simmons, F. Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): Loney; Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US10/352,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20040081797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,757 Days
• Field of Search: 428/137, 428/138, 428/178, 428/180, 428/185, 428/187, 428/542.2, 428/903.3, 181/288, 181/290, 181/291, 181/292, 296/214, 527/891, 527/931
• US Class Current: 428/178
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/28 characterised by a layer comprising a deformed thin sheet , i.e. the layer having its entire thickness deformed out of the plane, e.g. corrugated, crumpled B32B29/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1039 Surface deformation only of sandwich or lamina [e.g., embossed panels]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24322 Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24331 including nonapertured component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24661 Forming, or cooperating to form cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24678 Waffle-form
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24694 Parallel corrugations

Abstract

A composite structure, and method of manufacturing it, having a specified width, length, and height defining a top and bottom the composite structure. The composite structure includes a three dimensional structural core constructed of a polymer with a first series of a geometric pattern repeated along its length. The structural core also has a second series of the geometric pattern repeated along the width thereof. The geometric patter may be a sinusoidal curve or a substantially pyramidal shape. The composite structure also includes a first reinforcement layer made of a polymer positioned above the structural core and bonded thereto. It also includes a second reinforcement layer made of a polymer that is positioned below the structural core and bonded thereto. The composite structure may also include a decorative layer above the first reinforcement layer, an acoustical batting layer positioned between the first reinforcement layer and the structural core, and may include fire retardant chemicals.

Claims

1. A thermoformable composite structure having a specified width, length, and height defining a top and bottom of said composite structure comprising:

a single thermoformable three dimensional structural core constructed of a fiber infused thermoplastic with a pyramidal geometric pattern repeated along the length thereof, said pyramidal geometric pattern repeated along the width thereof;

said pyramidal geometric pattern being symmetric about a neutral axis of said structural core;

said pyramidal geometric pattern comprised of a plurality of pyramidal shapes;

each of said pyramidal shapes having four side faces which intersect to form edges;

each of said edges including a radius;

said pyramidal geometric pattern providing a series of peaks and troughs that have flat tops and bottoms;

a thermoformable first reinforcement layer positioned above said structural core and thermally bonded thereto wherein said first reinforcement layer is constructed of the same fiber infused thermoplastic as said structural core; and

a thermoformable second reinforcement layer positioned below said structural core and thermally bonded thereto wherein said second reinforcement layer is constructed of the same fiber infused thermoplastic as said structural core.

2. The composite structure of claim 1 further comprising:

a decorative layer positioned above said first reinforcement layer and bonded thereto.

3. The composite structure of claim 1 further comprising:

an acoustical batting layer positioned between said first reinforcement layer and said structural core.

4. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein said first and second reinforcement layers contain openings along the length and width thereof.

5. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein at least one component therein includes fire retardant chemicals.

6. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein said structural core and said first and second reinforcement layers are constructed of a translucent thermoplastic.

12. The composite structure of claim 1 wherein said fiber infused thermoplastic has a tensile modulus of less than 1,000,000 pounds per square inch.

7. An automotive headliner thermoformable composite structure having a specified width, length, and height defining a top and bottom of said automotive headliner composite structure comprising:

a single thermoformable three dimensional structural core constructed of a fiber infused thermoplastic with a pyramidal geometric pattern repeated along the length thereof, said pyramidal geometric pattern repeated along the width thereof;

said pyramidal geometric pattern being symmetric about a neutral axis of said structural core;

said pyramidal geometric pattern comprised of a plurality of pyramidal shapes;

each of said pyramidal shapes having four side faces which intersect to form edges;

each of said edges including a radius;

said pyramidal geometric pattern providing a series of peaks and troughs that have flat tops and bottoms;

a first thermoformable reinforcement layer positioned above said structural core and thermally bonded thereto wherein said first reinforcement layer is constructed of the same fiber infused thermoplastic as said structural core;

a second thermoformable reinforcement layer positioned below said structural core and thermally bonded thereto wherein said second reinforcement layer is constructed of the same fiber infused thermoplastic as said structural core; and

a decorative layer positioned above said first reinforcement layer and bonded thereto.

8. The automotive headliner composite structure of claim 7 further comprising:

an acoustical batting layer positioned between said first reinforcement layer and said structural core.

9. The automotive headliner composite structure of claim 7 further comprising:

an acoustical batting layer positioned between said second reinforcement layer and said structural core.

10. The automotive headliner composite structure of claim 7 wherein at least one component therein includes fire retardant chemicals.

11. The automotive headliner composite structure of claim 7 wherein at least one of said first and second reinforcement layers contain repeated openings along the length and width thereof.

13. The automobile headline composite structure of claim 7 wherein said fiber infused thermoplastic has a tensile modulus of less than 1,000,000 pounds per square inch.