Composites patents watch: March 2014

A round-up of some of the latest composites-related patents. This month's inventions include: a heat exchanger based on polymer composite; a carbon fibre metal plating roller; and an FRP house.

Picture courtesy of Kheng Guan Toh/Shutterstock.com.
Picture courtesy of Kheng Guan Toh/Shutterstock.com.

BAE Systems plc files UK patent application for heat exchanger comprising a fibre reinforced polymer composite

BAE Systems plc has filed a patent application for heat exchanger comprising a fibre reinforced polymer composite. This invention was developed by Hucker Martyn John, Rew Jason, Dunleavy Michael and Haq Sajad.

According to the abstract released by the UK Patent Office: The heat exchanger is at least partially comprised of a fibre reinforced polymer composite (FRPC) having at least one elongate void. The FRPC is formed of at least one layer of fibre substantially encapsulated in a binder matrix. The elongate void is arranged to receive a heat exchange medium, which may be a fluid. The heat exchanger may have a thermal insulation layer to prevent thermal transfer of energy from the fluid to a surface of the heat exchanger. A thermally conductive layer, such as a metallic fabric, foil or mesh, may be provided to permit rapid conduction of thermal energy. The elongate void may be created by providing a low melting temperature metal alloy, which is melted and poured out of the FRPC heat exchanger to provide the elongate void. Alternatively, the elongate void may be created by use of a sugar paste that is removed by hot water.

The heat exchanger is suitable as a heat exchanging panel on a vehicle, vessel or craft, and is lighter and stronger than conventional metal panels.

Korean Intellectual Property Office receives patent application for carbon fiber-reinforced plastics manufacturing method of metal plating roller and this made roller from Dongbang Plantech Co Ltd

The Korean Intellectual Property Office has received a patent application for carbon fiber-reinforced plastics manufacturing method of metal plating roller and this made roller from Dongbang Plantech Co Ltd. The invention was developed by Choi Man Ho. The abstract issued by Korean Intellectual Property Office explains: A method for manufacturing a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic metal plating roller and a roller according to the same are provided to minimize the waste harmful to the environment by shortening the process, according as dry plating by physical vapor deposition in a vacuum chamber is performed.

According to a method for manufacturing a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic metal plating roller, a cylindrical core and a cylindrical shaft are prepared and a roller is formed by combining the shaft to both ends of the core. The outer circumference of the prepared roller is polished and is coated with a conductive resin and is hardened to form an underlayer. A plated layer is formed by dipping the conductive roller into plating liquid. The plated roller is inserted into a vacuum chamber and a chrome layer is formed by physical vapor deposition. The surface is smoothed by super-finishing of the deposited roller.

Hyundai Motor Co Ltd files Korean patent application for method for welding different kind polymers

Hyundai Motor Co Ltd has filed a patent application for a method for welding different kind polymers. This invention was developed by Choi Byung Sam, Song Kyong Hwa, Lee Han Saem and Kwak Jin Woo. According to the abstract released by the Korean Intellectual Property Office: A bonding method of different kind polymers is provided to be able to provide a different kind polymer composite with an excellent mechanical strength and flexural modulus by facilitating bonding between a base matrix polymer and a filler polymer, which are different kind polymers, with carbon nanotubes.

A bonding method of different kind polymers using carbon nanotubes comprises a step of dispersing carbon nanotubes in a filler polymer; a step of manufacturing a carbon nanotube-filler polymer composite by extruding the dispersed carbon nanotube-filler polymer; and a step of melt-mixing the carbon nanotube-filler polymer composite and a base matrix polymer and manufacturing different kind polymer bonded composite by extruding the melted mixture. In the melt-mixing, the bonding between the base matrix polymer and the filler polymer which are two different kind polymers are accomplished by carbon nanotubes dispersed in the filler polymer being immersed in the base matrix polymer.

Beijing Khanwind Technology Ltd files Chinese patent application for cabin cover for wind generating set

Beijing Khanwind Technology Ltd has filed a patent application for cabin cover for wind generating set. This invention was developed by Du Yingzhuo, Wang Jiandong and Zhang Wang.

According to the abstract released by the State Intellectual Property Office of China: The invention relates to a part of a wind generating set, in particular to a novel-structure cabin cover for the wind generating set. The cabin cover comprises a shell and accessories; the shell of the cabin cover has a sandwich laminated structure, and inner and outer surface layers are made of glass fiber reinforced plastics; a middle structure layer of the sandwich laminated structure of the shell of the cabin cover consists of strip/sheet structural materials serving as basic units; the same layer of strip/sheet structural materials are arranged in parallel; adjacent layers of strip/sheet structural materials are laminated in a crossed way; and the cross angle of the adjacent layers is 30-90 degrees.

The novel-structure cabin cover for the wind generating set is low in energy consumption, light in weight and high in fire resistance.

Yuncheng Machinery & Electrical Science & Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd files Chinese patent application for fiber reinforced plastics and elevator partition board manufactured from same

Yuncheng Machinery & Electrical Science & Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd has filed a patent application for fiber reinforced plastics and elevator partition board manufactured from same. This invention was developed by Qiu Chuangping.

According to the abstract released by the State Intellectual Property Office of China: The invention relates to fiber reinforced plastics, which comprises reinforcement fibers and an epoxy resin serving as a substrate, wherein the reinforcement fibers are glass fibers or whiskers, and have diameters of not more than 10 mu m and breaking strain of not more than 3%; and the epoxy resin is adopted as the substrate for integrally manufacturing an elevator partition board.

In addition, the invention also relates to the elevator partition board manufactured from the fiber reinforced plastics. The elevator partition board comprises a surface wallboard and reinforcement structures arranged on the wallboard, wherein the reinforcement structures are longitudinal contrapositive convex edges arranged on the two sides of the wallboard; the junction surfaces of the convex edges and the wallboard are circular arc transitions; longitudinal decorative strips are arranged on the surface of the wallboard; and handle parts are provided with circular arc bumps. The fiber reinforced plastics has the advantages that the fiber reinforced plastics is an excellent insulating material, and can serve as an insulator for an elevator cage wall, and high dielectricity can also be protected under high frequency and the like.

Kennametal Inc files Brazilian patent application for segmented orbital drill for drilling fibre reinforced plastics

Kennametal Inc has filed a patent application for a segmented orbital drill for drilling fibre reinforced plastics. This invention was developed by Craig Karen Anne. According to the abstract released by the National Institute of Industrial Property: A segmented orbital drill includes a segmented portion with a semi-finishing cutting portion, a plurality of finishing cutting portions and a clearance neck section between the segmented portion and a shank, the semi-finishing cutting portion having a different diameter to the diameter of the finishing cutting portions. The semi-finishing cutting portion and finishing cutting portions are separated by grooves formed by a front wall and a rear wall. The segmented orbital drill may include a pilot at one end of the drill.

Toray Industries files Brazilian patent application for shaping mold and process for the production of preforms and fiber-reinforced plastics with the mold

Toray Industries has filed a patent application for shaping mold and process for the production of preforms and fiber-reinforced plastics with the mold. This invention was developed by Shinoda Tomoyuki, Asahara Nobuo and Yamamoto Kohnosuke. According to the abstract released by the National Institute of Industrial Property: To heat a laminate of a reinforcing fiber base material uniformly with high precision, a forming-molding tool for resin transfer molding of fiber reinforced plastics obtained by integrating a face plate part and a flat plate part for forming a hollow convex part, in which metallic piping as a flow path of a heating medium is integrated with the back surface of the face plate part by a thermally conductive material and a rubber cord is integrated with an outside of a region used for forming or molding in the flat plate part is used.

Ezen Co Ltd Files Korean patent application for fiber reinforcement plastic industrialization house and the manufacturing method

Ezen Co Ltd has filed a patent application for a fiber reinforced plastic industrialization house and the manufacturing method. This invention was developed by Hwang Yong.

According to the abstract released by the Korean Intellectual Property Office: An industrialized house composed of fiber reinforced plastics, which does not have joints, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided to reduce energy consumption because the industrialized house does not have joints.

An industrialized house composed of fiber reinforced plastics, which does not have joints, comprises an outer case, a resistance structure, and a fireproof panel. The outer case is composed of a fiber reinforced plastic material and forms the appearance of the house. The resistance structure is formed on the inner surface of the outer case and has resistance to vertical and horizontal loads. The fireproof panel is fixed to the resistance structure using fixtures. An insulation material having heat insulating and soundproofing properties is inserted between the resistance structure and the fireproof panel.

Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University files European patent application for hybrid polymer composite fiber including graphene and carbon nanotube and method for manufacturing same

Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University has filed a patent application for hybrid polymer composite fiber including graphene and carbon nanotube and method for manufacturing same. This invention was developed by Kim Seon Jeong, Shin Min Kyoon and Kim Shi Hyeong. According to the abstract released by the European Patent Office: The present invention relates to a graphene-based hybrid polymer composite fiber and a method for manufacturing same, and more particularly, to a hybrid composite fiber including the graphene, a carbon nanotube, and a polymer, wherein the graphene and the carbon nanotube are combined by means of self-organization through hydrogen bonding, so as to be very tough and flexible, without involving stretching, and to a method for manufacturing the hybrid composite fiber.

Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Mun So Youn, Lee Dong Jin, Lim Hyung Mi, Cho Kwang Yeon file WIPO patent application for carbon fibre composite coated with silicon carbide, and production method for same

The Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology, Mun So Youn, Lee Dong Jin, Lim Hyung Mi and Cho Kwang Yeon have filed a patent application for carbon fibre composite coated with silicon carbide, and production method for same. This invention was developed by Mun So Youn, Lee Dong Jin, Lim Hyung Mi and Cho Kwang Yeon.

According to the abstract released by the World Intellectual Property Organization: The present invention relates to a carbon fibre composite comprising: carbon fibre; and silicon carbide coated onto the surface of the carbon fibre, and relates to a production method for same, and, being formed using carbon fibre, the invention makes it possible to reduce weight and makes it possible to achieve an outstanding heat dissipating effect through the use of a high level of thermal conductivity, and can be used in various ways in electronic products and the like where heat-dissipating characteristics are required.

These patents were supplied by Global IP News, a patents news agency.