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Method for laying composite tape

  • US 7,842,145 B2
  • Filed: 09/07/2005
  • Issued: 11/30/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a composite member, the method comprising:

  • providing a contour surface corresponding in shape to a desired contour of the composite member for supporting a plurality of elongate tapes in a substantially parallel configuration, each tape including a plurality of reinforcement members disposed in a matrix material; and

    disposing each of the elongate tapes along a path defined by a plurality of natural path segments, each segment of a single path being disposed at a non-natural angle relative to adjacent segments of the path, and each tape comprising a plurality of physically discrete portions corresponding to the natural path segments and positioned relative to adjacent portions in a continuous, end-to-end manner in a lengthwise direction so as to define the non-natural angle between adjacent portions without discontinuities between consecutive portions, such that a transverse edge of each elongate tape is disposed within a predetermined offset distance interval from an adjacent one of the tapes.

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