WO2005014905A2 - High strength fabric structure and seam therefor with uniform thickness and a method of making same - Google Patents
High strength fabric structure and seam therefor with uniform thickness and a method of making same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2005014905A2 WO2005014905A2 PCT/US2004/018081 US2004018081W WO2005014905A2 WO 2005014905 A2 WO2005014905 A2 WO 2005014905A2 US 2004018081 W US2004018081 W US 2004018081W WO 2005014905 A2 WO2005014905 A2 WO 2005014905A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- ply
- section
- flexible fabric
- high strength
- plies
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D03—WEAVING
- D03D—WOVEN FABRICS; METHODS OF WEAVING; LOOMS
- D03D11/00—Double or multi-ply fabrics not otherwise provided for
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
- B32B5/24—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/26—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/024—Woven fabric
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
- B32B5/026—Knitted fabric
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
- B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
- B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
- H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
- H01Q1/42—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
- H01Q1/422—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome comprising two or more layers of dielectric material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/19—Sheets or webs edge spliced or joined
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/19—Sheets or webs edge spliced or joined
- Y10T428/192—Sheets or webs coplanar
- Y10T428/195—Beveled, stepped, or skived in thickness
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24058—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24058—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
- Y10T428/24074—Strand or strand-portions
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24058—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
- Y10T428/24074—Strand or strand-portions
- Y10T428/24091—Strand or strand-portions with additional layer[s]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24058—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
- Y10T428/24074—Strand or strand-portions
- Y10T428/24091—Strand or strand-portions with additional layer[s]
- Y10T428/24099—On each side of strands or strand-portions
Definitions
- This invention relates to a high strength fabric of uniform thickness throughout, including seam areas where fabric sections are joined together, for use in fabric structures, especially radomes, to reduce radio frequency transmission losses.
- Air-supported flexible fabric structures include army shelters, collapsible fuel and water storage tanks, communication radomes and radar radomes for antenna protection, hangars, shelters, sporting complex "domes" and other structures.
- Such fabric structures provide for a controlled environment and serve as protection from thermal distortions, sunlight, rain, and other elements.
- engineered inflatables using fabric include airships, aerostats, blimps, air beams and air floats, air bags, and impact absorbers.
- Architectural fabrics can also be found in sports complexes, transportation complexes, amphitheaters, and outdoor pavilion covers.
- Industrial fabric applications can be found in odor containment covers for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment tanks.
- RF waves travelling through thicker areas of the radome created by overlapping or butt-joint seams travel at slower speeds, are reflected or scattered, and thus cause undesirable radio frequency losses and a reduction in RF performance. Consequently, more power is required to compensate for RF losses, at great expense.
- a reduction in performance of 15-20% produces a loss on the order of 0.10 dB, and such a loss may translate into a seven figure cost increase in the radar system protected by the radome.
- RF radiowave frequency
- the invention results from the realization that a high strength fabric seam with uniform thickness and lower RF losses is achieved by specially orienting layers or plies of fibers in a matrix material and stacking the plies at the seam between two fabric sections in a staggered or offset configuration.
- This invention features a high strength flexible fabric structure including a plurality of flexible fabric sections, each section including a plurality of plies of alternating fiber orientation.
- the flexible fabric structure may include at least three plies in each section.
- the first and third plies may have fibers oriented at 0° and 90° and a
- the second ply may have fibers biased at ⁇ 45°.
- the ply fibers may be woven, knitted or unidirectional.
- the fibers of each ply may be disposed in a flexible matrix material such as a polyurethane resin material.
- the plies of each section may be heat welded together or laminated together and the sections may be heat welded or laminated at the joint. Other known heat and pressure inducing practices equivalent to heat welding or lamination may be utihzed.
- the high strength flexible fabric structure may be a radome surrounding a radar system.
- the first fabric section may include an edge with a first ply extending outward from a second ply.
- the second ply itself may extend outward from a third ply.
- An adjacent second section may have an adjacent edge with a first ply offset inward of a second ply.
- the second ply itself may be offset inward of a third ply, such that at the joint between the two sections, the first ply of the first section is disposed on the second ply of the second section, and the second ply of the first section is disposed on the third ply of the second section.
- This invention also features a flexible fabric structure having first and second fabric sections with first and third plies including a plurality of fibers in a flexible matrix material oriented in a first direction, preferably 0° and 90° respectively, and a second ply including a plurality of fibers in a flexible matrix material oriented in a second direction, which maybe
- a joint between the first and second sections may be structured and arranged
- This invention also features a high strength flexible fabric structure which includes a plurality of flexible fabric sections, each section including a plurality of plies, each ply having fibers disposed in a flexible matrix and a joint between adjacent first and second sections.
- the first section may have an edge with a first ply thereof extending outward from a second ply and the second adjacent section may have an edge with a first ply thereof offset inward from a second ply and the first ply of the first section may be disposed on the second ply of the second section.
- the first section may further include a third ply offset inward from the second ply of the first section.
- the second adjacent section may further include a third ply extending outward from the second ply of the second section, and the second ply of the first section may be disposed on the third ply of the second section.
- This invention further features a high strength flexible fabric structure that includes a plurality of flexible fabric sections, each section including at least three plies, a first ply
- This invention also features a flexible fabric structure with uniform seam thickness including a first fabric section comprising a first ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in a first direction, a second ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in a second direction, a third ply comprising a plurality of fibers oriented in the first direction, and a second fabric section.
- the second fabric section may include a first ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in the first direction, a second ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in the second direction, a third ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in the first direction, wherein a joint between the first and second sections is structured and arranged such that the plies of the first section are in a staggered configuration with the plies of the second section such that the joint has a thickness the same as the thickness of the first and second fabric sections.
- This invention further features a method of manufacturing a high strength flexible fabric structure which includes forming a plurality of flexible fabric sections to each include a plurality of plies of alternating fiber orientation.
- the method further may include offsetting the plies of each section, and joining adjacent sections such that no plies of like fiber orientation overlap.
- the method may further include weaving the ply fibers, and
- the ply fibers may be knitted or unidirectional.
- the sections may be joined by heat welding or laminating the plies of each section together, and may include heat welding or laminating the sections at the joint. Other known heat and pressure inducing practices equivalent to heat welding or lamination may be used.
- the method may further include configuring the flexible fabric sections as a radome covering.
- the offsetting step may include extending a first ply of a first section outward from a second ply, and extending the second ply itself outward from a third ply.
- a first ply of a second section may be offset inward from a second ply thereof and the second ply may be offset inward from a third ply.
- the joining step may include disposing the first ply of the first section on the second ply of the second section, and disposing the second ply of the first section on the third ply of the second section.
- a method in accordance with the subject invention may also include forming a plurality of fabric sections and structuring and a ⁇ anging each section to abut and join an adjacent section without any overlap between the sections, thus forming a fabric structure of uniform thickness.
- the method may include stacking the first, second, and third plies and joining the first, second, and third plies with like oriented plies of a second flexible fabric portion in an offset configuration.
- This invention also features a method for producing a flexible fabric structure of uniform thickness, including the steps of forming a first flexible fabric portion with a first ply of flexible fabric including a plurality of fibers oriented at 0° and 90°, a second ply of flexible
- This invention further features a high strength flexible fabric seam with at least two flexible fabric sections, each section including a plurality of plies of alternating fiber orientation.
- the plies of each section may be offset and joined without any overlap of plies of like fiber orientation.
- the first and third plies may have fibers oriented at 0° and 90°.
- the second ply may
- the ply fibers may be woven, knitted, or unidirectional, and may
- the seam of this invention may further include a first section including an edge with the first ply thereof extending outward from the second ply.
- the second ply itself may extend outward from the third ply.
- the adjacent second section has an adjacent edge with its first ply offset inward of a second ply, which is itself offset inward of the third ply so that the first ply of the first section is disposed on the second ply of the second section.
- the second ply of the first section is disposed on the third ply of the second section.
- the a flexible fabric seam with uniform thickness of this invention may also include first and second fabric sections each having first and third plies with a plurality of fibers in a flexible resin matrix material oriented in a first direction.
- a second ply may include a plurality of fibers in a flexible resin matrix material oriented in a second direction.
- the plies of the first section may be in a staggered configuration with and joined with the plies of the second section so that the seam has a thickness equal to a combined thickness of the first, second, and third layers of the first and second fabric sections.
- This invention also features a high strength flexible fabric seam including at least two flexible fabric sections, each section including a plurality of plies, each ply having fibers disposed in a flexible matrix wherein the first section has an edge with a first ply thereof extending outward from a second ply.
- the second adjacent section may have an edge with a first ply thereof offset inward from a second ply, and the first ply of the first section may be disposed on the second ply of the second section.
- the first section may include a third ply offset inward from the second ply of the first section.
- the second adjacent section may include a third ply extending outward from the second ply of the second section and the second ply of the first section may be disposed on the third ply of the second section.
- This invention further features a flexible fabric seam with uniform thickness including a first fabric section having a first ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in a first direction, a second ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in a second direction, a third ply comprising a plurality of fibers oriented in the first direction, and a second fabric section.
- the second fabric section may include a first ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in the first direction, a second ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in the second direction, and a third ply including a plurality of fibers oriented in the first direction.
- the plies of the first section may be in a staggered configuration with and joined with the plies of the second section such that the seam has a thickness equal to a combined thickness of the first, second, and third layers of the first and second fabric sections.
- a method of manufacturing a high strength flexible fabric seam may include forming a plurality of flexible fabric sections to each include a plurality of plies of alternating fiber orientation, offsetting the plies of each section, and joining adjacent sections such that no plies of like fiber orientation overlap.
- This invention further features a method of manufacturing a high strength flexible fabric seam, the method comprising forming a plurality of flexible fabric sections to each include at least three of plies of alternating fiber orientation, offsetting the plies of each section, joining adjacent sections such that no plies of like fiber orientation overlap, weaving the ply fibers, and disposing the fibers of each ply in a flexible matrix material.
- This invention also features a radome structure which includes a plurality of flexible fabric sections.
- each section may include a plurality of plies of alternating fiber orientation.
- the radome may further include a joint between adjacent sections, with the plies of each section offset to form a uniform thickness seam between the sections without overlap of plies of like fiber orientation.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a typical air supported ground-based radome with a flexible membrane or fabric covering
- Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a prior art overlap joint seam used to join two radome fabric sections
- Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a prior art butt-joint seam joining two radome fabric sections
- Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of two sections of a high strength flexible fabric just prior to forming a uniform thickness seam in accordance with the present invention
- Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of two joined sections of flexible fabric showing the uniform thickness seam of this invention
- Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a radome made in accordance with the method of this invention.
- air supported flexible fabric structures such as radome 10, Fig. 1 are made of joined fabric sections 12a-12n joined by seams as shown for seam 22 joining fabric sections 12f and 12g.
- such structures employ seams defined by the overlap joint shown in Fig. 2 where fabric section 12a partially overlaps fabric section 12b.
- Each fabric section 12a-12n may be made up of layers or plies 14 and 16 as shown for fabric section 12b, Fig.
- the overlap area 22 is much thicker than (i.e. at least twice the thickness of) the thickness of individual fabric sections 12a or 12b.
- the width of the area of overlap 22 is about five inches, although it will be understood that the width of the area of overlap 22 is dependent upon many factors, such as the strength of the fabric and the loads to which the structure must react.
- Another prior art fabric seam configuration is shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, a so-called butt-joint is formed.
- the butt-joint seam consists of two sections 12c and 12d of fabric each comprising, in this example, plies 23 and 24 of section 12c and layers 26 and 28 of section 12d.
- seam 36 is at least twice the thickness of fabric sections 12c and 12d alone.
- fabric plies are directly aligned on top of one another.
- section 12a is aligned on top of section 12b at overlap area 22.
- fabric sections 12c and 12d are aligned directly on top of the additional piece of fabric or material 30.
- a high strength fabric structure (such as a radome 100, Fig. 6) includes a plurality of fabric sections 42 and 44, Figs. 4 and 5.
- section 42 and 44 including a plurality of plies includes plies 46, 48, and 50 preferably of alternating fiber orientation and section 44 includes plies 52, 54, and 56 also of alternating fiber orientation.
- Ply 46 has a first fiber orientation
- ply 48 has a second fiber orientation
- ply 50 has the same orientation as ply 46.
- first ply 46 has fibers 80 and 82 oriented at 0° and 90°, respectively.
- ply 48 has a biased fiber orientation with fibers 88, 90 typically biased at ⁇ 45°.
- Fig. 5 shows uniform thickness joint or seam area 58 where the plies or sections 42 and 44 meet. This uniform thickness seam is formed by offsetting the individual plies 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, and 56 of each section without any overlap of plies of like fiber orientation. In this way, the thickness at seam 58 is the same as or substantially the same as thickness 61 of each fabric section individually.
- the fibers of each ply of each fabric section may be woven, knitted or unidirectional. Unlike woven fibers, unidirectional fibers are not intertwined, but rather may be laid out in alternating fiber orientation, as is known in the art, such as the alternating fiber orientation of fibers 88 and 90.
- knitted fibers are also not intertwined, but are stitched, for example at point of connection 89, rather than being solely laid out in alternating orientation as are unidirectional fibers. It is to be understood that the foregoing discussion with respect to fabric section 42 and its plies 46, 48, and 50 and their respective fiber orientation applies equally to fabric section 44 and its plies and their respective fiber orientation. Also, it will be understood that there may be any number of plies, h one preferred embodiment, only three plies are used as shown.
- the fibers of each ply are disposed in a flexible matrix such as a polyurethane resin matrix material.
- first section 42, Figs. 4-5 includes edge 110 formed by first ply 46 extending outward of and in a staggered configuration from the second ply 48 which itself extends outward from third ply 50.
- Adjacent second section 44 has adjacent mating edge 112 formed by first ply 52 being offset inward from the second ply 54 which itself is offset inward of third ply 56.
- first ply 46 of first section 42 is disposed on second ply 54 of second section 44 and second ply 48 of first section 42 is disposed on third ply 56 of second section 44.
- a high strength flexible fabric structure in accordance with the subject invention is typically manufactured by forming a plurality of flexible fabric sections to each include a plurality of plies as described above. The following description applies to only fabric section 42 of a structure but it is to be understood that the same disclosure applies to any number of sections containing any number of plies of various fiber orientations.
- the plies of each section are preferably of alternating fiber orientation.
- the plies of each section 42, 44 are offset as shown and adjacent sections 42, 44, Fig. 5 are joined, such that no plies of like fiber orientation overlap for added strength.
- Ply 46 may be woven fibers oriented at 0° and 90°; second ply 48 has a woven biased fiber orientation; and third ply 50 has fibers
- second ply 48 has fibers biased at ⁇ 45°.
- the fibers have a length of several hundred feet and are typically from 200 to 5000 denier. In the same example, the thickness of plies 46, 50,
- thickness of biased plies 48 and 54 with the ⁇ 45° fiber orientation is about 0.030 inches. It
- the method of the subject invention may further include the step of configuring joined flexible fabric section 42, 44 (and many other similarly joined sections) as radome covering 100, Fig. 6.
- first ply 46 of first section 42 is extended outward from second ply 48 and second ply 48 is extended outward from third ply 50.
- first ply 52 of second section 44 is offset inward from second ply 54 and second ply 54 is offset inward from third ply 56 of second section 44.
- the joining step may include disposing or stacking the extending portion of first ply 46 of first section 44 on second ply 54 of section 44 and disposing or stacking the extending portion of second ply 48 of first section 42 on third ply 56 of second section 44.
- Heat welding operations, or equivalent heat and pressure inducing practices, such as lamination, are then performed.
- the method of the present invention also similarly includes forming a plurality of fabric sections 42 and 44 and structuring and arranging each section to abut and join each other section without any overlap between the sections thereby forming a fabric structure and seam 58 of uniform thickness.
- the subject invention thus results in a high strength fabric structure with uniform thickness. Typically, no overlapping or butt-joint seams are used.
- the seaming technology disclosed herein can be used in flexible fabric structures and air-supported structures such as radomes, engineered inflatables, architectural fabrics, and industrial fabrics.
- radomes radiowave frequency (RF) losses are reduced as are the power requirements and cost of the radar antenna system protected by the radome.
- RF radiowave frequency
- a high strength fabric seam with uniform thickness and lower RF losses is achieved by orienting layers or plies of fibers in a matrix material and by stacking the plies at the seam in a staggered or offset configuration.
- the structure and seam of this invention is well-suited for a radome for an X-band radar system, but this invention is not limited to such a radome or structure.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2006520168A JP4510820B2 (en) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-06-08 | High strength fabric structure and its seam with uniform thickness and method for forming them |
AU2004263827A AU2004263827B2 (en) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-06-08 | High strength fabric structure and seam therefor with uniform thickness and a method of making same |
EP04785933A EP1644182A4 (en) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-06-08 | High strength fabric structure and seam therefor with uniform thickness and a method of making same |
CA002531500A CA2531500C (en) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-06-08 | High strength fabric structure and seam therefor with uniform thickness and a method of making same |
IL173118A IL173118A (en) | 2003-07-16 | 2006-01-12 | High strength fabric structure and seam therefor with uniform thickness and a method of making same |
NO20060389A NO20060389L (en) | 2003-07-16 | 2006-01-24 | Textile structure of high strength and similar to that of uniform thickness and a method of making the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/620,888 | 2003-07-16 | ||
US10/620,888 US6911955B2 (en) | 2003-07-16 | 2003-07-16 | High strength fabric structure and seam therefor with uniform thickness and a method of making same |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2005014905A2 true WO2005014905A2 (en) | 2005-02-17 |
WO2005014905A3 WO2005014905A3 (en) | 2005-05-12 |
Family
ID=34062868
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2004/018081 WO2005014905A2 (en) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-06-08 | High strength fabric structure and seam therefor with uniform thickness and a method of making same |
Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6911955B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1644182A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4510820B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100783226B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004263827B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2531500C (en) |
IL (1) | IL173118A (en) |
NO (1) | NO20060389L (en) |
TW (1) | TWI304768B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005014905A2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1644185A2 (en) * | 2003-07-16 | 2006-04-12 | Raytheon Company | Radome with polyester-polyarylate fibers and a method of making same |
JP2008277885A (en) * | 2007-04-25 | 2008-11-13 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Stacked radome |
Families Citing this family (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1595023B1 (en) * | 2003-02-07 | 2010-04-07 | Raytheon Company | High strength, long durability structural fabric/seam system |
US7226328B1 (en) | 2005-02-16 | 2007-06-05 | Raytheon Company | Extendable spar buoy sea-based communication system |
US7456881B2 (en) | 2006-01-12 | 2008-11-25 | Aptina Imaging Corporation | Method and apparatus for producing Bayer color mosaic interpolation for imagers |
US7687129B2 (en) * | 2007-01-08 | 2010-03-30 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Splice seam |
US8003185B2 (en) * | 2007-01-08 | 2011-08-23 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Splice seam |
US20090235604A1 (en) * | 2008-03-20 | 2009-09-24 | Xxentria Technology Materials Co., Ltd | Architectural material |
US20110129348A1 (en) * | 2009-11-30 | 2011-06-02 | United Technologies Corporation | Core driven ply shape composite fan blade and method of making |
US9735466B2 (en) * | 2013-07-18 | 2017-08-15 | Ebert Composites Corporation | Advanced composite radome and method of manufacturing |
US10131445B2 (en) | 2014-01-06 | 2018-11-20 | Astronics Aerosat Corporation | Containment system and increased strength radome assembly |
DE102015110193A1 (en) * | 2015-06-24 | 2016-12-29 | Airbus Operations Gmbh | Method for weld-joining two components made of a thermoplastic layer composite material |
DE102015212416B4 (en) * | 2015-07-02 | 2017-03-16 | Takata AG | Housing for an airbag module and method for producing such a housing |
WO2017048829A1 (en) * | 2015-09-15 | 2017-03-23 | Cytec Industries Inc. | Prepreg tile having offset stagger |
CN105852628B (en) * | 2016-05-31 | 2018-04-13 | 华南理工大学 | Ultrasound detection rice it is soft or hard can automatic water-filtering Double-layer electric cooker and its method of work |
US20180345591A1 (en) * | 2017-05-30 | 2018-12-06 | The Boeing Company | Method of creating large complex composite panels using co-consolidation of thermoplastic material systems |
WO2020094317A1 (en) | 2018-11-06 | 2020-05-14 | Low & Bonar B.V. | Carrier material comprising a first part of a form-fit connection |
JP6904607B2 (en) * | 2019-11-11 | 2021-07-21 | 株式会社縁Eternity | Connecting structure of woven and knitted fabric with rubber and bag body using this connecting structure |
KR20220128652A (en) * | 2020-03-18 | 2022-09-21 | 더 보드 어브 트러스티스 어브 더 리랜드 스탠포드 주니어 유니버시티 | Finite sized composite laminate cards, tapered composite laminate structures formed therefrom, and methods of making and using same |
CN117280542A (en) * | 2021-05-12 | 2023-12-22 | 泰纳和泰纳股份公司 | Radome for cladding antenna system |
CN114251596B (en) * | 2021-05-14 | 2023-08-22 | 海洋石油工程股份有限公司 | Large LNG storage tank dome plate connection method |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS525370A (en) * | 1975-07-02 | 1977-01-17 | Nippon Datsujifuaibaazu Kk | Lapless jointing method for belt |
DD125994A1 (en) * | 1976-03-19 | 1977-05-08 | ||
US4279676A (en) * | 1979-09-06 | 1981-07-21 | Morrison Company, Inc. | Process of making a belting joint |
JPS6177596A (en) * | 1984-09-26 | 1986-04-21 | 防衛庁技術研究本部長 | Missile radome and manufacture thereof |
JPH0643105B2 (en) * | 1986-03-24 | 1994-06-08 | 新日本製鐵株式会社 | Endless joining method for conveyor belts |
US4793727A (en) * | 1987-05-21 | 1988-12-27 | United Technologies Corporation | Two-step composite joint |
JPH02242966A (en) * | 1989-03-16 | 1990-09-27 | Hashima:Kk | Heat-resistant endless belt |
JPH0565943A (en) * | 1991-09-06 | 1993-03-19 | Bando Chem Ind Ltd | Industrial belt |
US5333568A (en) * | 1992-11-17 | 1994-08-02 | America3 Foundation | Material for the fabrication of sails |
JP4223572B2 (en) * | 1996-03-14 | 2009-02-12 | 株式会社ブリヂストン | Conveyor belt joining method |
JPH1072108A (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 1998-03-17 | Yokohama Rubber Co Ltd:The | High cross rigidity belt |
KR200197778Y1 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2000-09-15 | 주식회사유일기연 | The flexible plate body of rubber dam |
JP2002046837A (en) * | 2000-08-03 | 2002-02-12 | Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd | Conveyor belt |
-
2003
- 2003-07-16 US US10/620,888 patent/US6911955B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2004
- 2004-06-08 KR KR1020067000898A patent/KR100783226B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2004-06-08 EP EP04785933A patent/EP1644182A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-06-08 JP JP2006520168A patent/JP4510820B2/en active Active
- 2004-06-08 WO PCT/US2004/018081 patent/WO2005014905A2/en active Search and Examination
- 2004-06-08 CA CA002531500A patent/CA2531500C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-06-08 AU AU2004263827A patent/AU2004263827B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2004-07-16 TW TW093121413A patent/TWI304768B/en active
-
2006
- 2006-01-12 IL IL173118A patent/IL173118A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2006-01-24 NO NO20060389A patent/NO20060389L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of EP1644182A4 * |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1644185A2 (en) * | 2003-07-16 | 2006-04-12 | Raytheon Company | Radome with polyester-polyarylate fibers and a method of making same |
EP1644185A4 (en) * | 2003-07-16 | 2010-01-13 | Raytheon Co | Radome with polyester-polyarylate fibers and a method of making same |
JP2008277885A (en) * | 2007-04-25 | 2008-11-13 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Stacked radome |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP4510820B2 (en) | 2010-07-28 |
AU2004263827A1 (en) | 2005-02-17 |
KR20060033015A (en) | 2006-04-18 |
WO2005014905A3 (en) | 2005-05-12 |
US20050013961A1 (en) | 2005-01-20 |
KR100783226B1 (en) | 2007-12-06 |
CA2531500A1 (en) | 2005-02-17 |
NO20060389L (en) | 2006-02-15 |
JP2007537361A (en) | 2007-12-20 |
TW200520952A (en) | 2005-07-01 |
TWI304768B (en) | 2009-01-01 |
IL173118A (en) | 2009-09-22 |
AU2004263827B2 (en) | 2007-10-25 |
IL173118A0 (en) | 2006-06-11 |
EP1644182A2 (en) | 2006-04-12 |
EP1644182A4 (en) | 2009-09-09 |
CA2531500C (en) | 2009-09-15 |
US6911955B2 (en) | 2005-06-28 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6911955B2 (en) | High strength fabric structure and seam therefor with uniform thickness and a method of making same | |
KR101421428B1 (en) | Process for producing laminates of unidirectionally arranged polymeric tapes | |
US7790261B2 (en) | Splice seam | |
US10246802B2 (en) | Fabric for roofing membrane having edge made of low-melting yarn | |
KR101277526B1 (en) | Device and method for forming a woven object with off-axis reinforcement | |
RU2516802C2 (en) | Method of weaving bases with solid sidewalls | |
JP5406850B2 (en) | How to weave a closed structure with intersecting walls | |
CN102458823B (en) | The improvement relevant with composite construction | |
JP2013506766A (en) | Woven preform, composite and method for producing the same | |
CA2453255C (en) | Flexible wall material for use in an inflatable structure | |
CN102362022A (en) | Quasi-isotropic three-dimensional preform and method of making thereof | |
EP3008373A1 (en) | Inflatable composite structural component and method | |
JP4620664B2 (en) | Radome with polyester-polyarylate fibers and method for producing the same | |
US20110109523A1 (en) | Radome sandwich panel structural joint | |
CA2381282A1 (en) | Multisection sail body and method for making | |
WO1996010666A1 (en) | Flexible material for use in an inflatable structure | |
US20130220195A1 (en) | High strength thermoplastic polymer films for strength and durability and related methods | |
JP4720877B2 (en) | Structural members and radomes | |
JP2007519298A (en) | Radome using polyester-polyarylate fiber and manufacturing method thereof | |
US5213874A (en) | Canopy or similar material having an improved tearing resistance | |
JPH09109306A (en) | Top for vehicle | |
US20100055372A1 (en) | Splice seam | |
US20020045392A1 (en) | Weatherable outdoor multi-axial fabric | |
EP0826488B1 (en) | Composite material construction | |
CA2354020A1 (en) | Conveyor belting with reinforcing fabric formed from three interlaced layers |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2531500 Country of ref document: CA |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2004263827 Country of ref document: AU |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2004785933 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2006520168 Country of ref document: JP Ref document number: 1020067000898 Country of ref document: KR |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2004263827 Country of ref document: AU Date of ref document: 20040608 Kind code of ref document: A |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 2004263827 Country of ref document: AU |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 2004785933 Country of ref document: EP |
|
DPEN | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101) |