Distortion resistant transparent reinforcing fibers for use in transparent reinforced composites

• US 9,334,378 B2
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Lang, Adam J., Wilenski, Mark S., Markus, Alan M., Godby, Larry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Minskey, Jacob T
• Assistant Examiner(s): SYKES, ALTREV C
• Application Number:
  US12/015,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20090181211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,037 Days
• Field of Search: 428/193, 428/297.4, 428/114, 428/298.7, 428/113, 428/105, 428/138, 428/139, 428/34, 428/140, 428/412, 428/413, 428/417, 428/426, 428/299.4, 428/391, 428/429, 428/902, 428/325, 442/185, 442/186, 442/391, 442/180, 242/7, 156/201, 156/88, 156/178, 156/242, 156/102, 156/104, 156/106, 156/107, 156/108, 156/330, 156/179, 340/583, 340/962, 340/580, 385/31, 385/141, 385/143, 385/145, 385/123, 385/902, 356/381, 356/382, 350/96.2, 350/96.3, 350/96.29, 350/96.31, 350/96.32, 350/96.33, 350/96.34, 427/192, 427/430.1, 296/84.1, 522/045.91, 522/045.93
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 ribbon for reinforcing a transparent matrix composite, the reinforcing fiber ribbon comprising:

a transparent portion having a refractive index;

a first flattened surface through which light incident in a first direction enters the transparent portion of the fiber and refracts, thereby changing its direction;

a second flattened surface, differing from the first flattened surface, through which light exits the transparent portion of the fiber ribbon and refracts a second time thereby changing its direction a second time to the first direction; and

opaque edge portions extending between and connecting the first flattened surface and the second flattened surface,

wherein the fiber ribbon has an elongated cross-section and the transparent portion forms the longer dimension thereof; and

wherein light entering the first flattened surface is prevented from passing through the opaque edge portions.

2. The fiber ribbon of claim 1, wherein the fiber ribbon has a rectangular geometry.

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

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

26. The fiber ribbon of claim 1, wherein the opaque edge portions are substantially perpendicular to the first flattened surface.

5. A transparent reinforced matrix composite comprising:

a transparent matrix material;

a plurality of reinforcing fiber ribbons disposed in the transparent matrix material, the fiber ribbons having an elongated cross-section and a transparent portion forming the longer dimension thereof and the transparent portion having a refractive index, the fiber ribbons comprising a first flattened surface through which light incident in a first direction enters the transparent portion of the fiber ribbons and refracts, thereby changing its direction, a second flattened surface, differing from the first flattened surface, through which light exits the transparent portion of the fiber ribbons and refracts a second time thereby changing its direction a second time to the first direction, and opaque edge portions extending between and connecting the first flattened surface and the second flattened surface; and

wherein light entering the first flattened surface is prevented from passing through the opaque edge portions.

6. The composite of claim 5, wherein the fiber ribbon has a rectangular geometry.

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

8. The composite of claim 5, wherein the opaque edge portions 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.

27. The composite of claim 5, wherein the opaque edge portions are substantially perpendicular to the first flattened surface.

16. A method for fabricating a window assembly comprising:

providing a plurality of reinforcing fiber ribbons, the fiber ribbons having an elongated cross-section section and a transparent portion forming the longer dimension thereof and the transparent portion having a refractive index, the fiber ribbons comprising a first flattened surface through which light incident in a first direction enters the transparent portion of the fiber ribbons and refracts, thereby changing its direction;

a second flattened surface, differing from the first flattened surface, through which light exits the transparent portion of the fiber ribbons and refracts a second time thereby changing its direction a second time to the first direction, and opaque edge portions extending between and connecting the first flattened surface and the second flattened surface,

wherein light is prevented from passing through the opaque edge portions;

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

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

assembling the reinforced matrix composite into a window assembly.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fiber ribbons have a rectangular geometry.

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

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

20. The method of claim 19 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 is substantially eliminated.

23. A method of manufacturing a vehicle comprising:

providing a vehicle;

providing a transparent reinforced composite window assembly comprising;

a transparent matrix material; and

a plurality of reinforcing fiber ribbons disposed in the transparent matrix material, the fiber ribbons having an elongated cross-section and a transparent portion forming the longer dimension thereof and the transparent portion having a refractive index, the fiber ribbons comprising a first flattened surface through which light incident in a first direction enters transparent portion of the fiber ribbons and refracts, thereby changing its direction;

a second flattened surface, differing from the first flattened surface, through which light exits the transparent portion of the fiber ribbons and refracts a second time thereby changing its direction a second time to the first direction, and opaque edge portions extending between and connecting the first flattened surface and the second flattened surface,

wherein light is prevented from passing through the opaque edge portions; 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.