Patent ID: 8663778
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: C04B,D03D,D10B,F01D,F05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A three-dimensional preform produced by a process comprising the steps of: producing a first set of tows in which each tow contains a plurality of substantially parallel filaments embedded within a temporary matrix, the tows of the first set comprising first tows and second tows having predetermined cross-sectional shapes that differ from each other; producing at least a second set of tows in which each tow contains a plurality of substantially parallel filaments; and then fabricating the three-dimensional preform to comprise the first and second sets of tows, in which the tows of the second set are transverse to the tows of the first set, the tows of the first set are substantially straight, the tows of the second set are interlaced with the tows of the first set to define interstitial regions that have different cross-sectional shapes and are each between adjacent tows of the second set, the tows of the first set are within the interstitial regions, and the predetermined cross-sectional shapes of the first tows of the first set are substantially congruent to a first of the different cross-sectional shapes of the interstitial regions and the predetermined cross-sectional shapes of the second tows of the first set are substantially congruent to a second of the different cross-sectional shapes of the interstitial regions that is different from the first of the different cross-sectional shapes of the interstitial regions so that the first and second tows of the first set substantially fill the interstitial regions.