Patent ID: 7105071
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: B29C,B29K,B32B,E01C,E04C

Abstract:
1. A method of inserting a z-axis reinforcing fiber into a composite laminate for z-axis reinforcement of the composite laminate comprising: providing at least one layer of material made up of x-axis fibers and y-axis fibers prior to incorporation of a z-axis reinforcing fiber into said at least one layer of material; said at least one layer having a top surface, a bottom surface and a predetermined thickness; providing an elongated pathway deposition device having a front tip, a shank portion, a rear end and a z-axis and positioning said front tip of said pathway deposition device in close proximity to one of said top or bottom surfaces of said at least one layer of material; providing an elongated moveable z-axis fiber insertion element having a front end, a rear end, an inner wall surface and a z-axis; positioning said front end of said moveable z-axis fiber insertion element in close proximity to said other of said top or bottom surfaces of said at least one layer of material; providing a z-axis reinforcing fiber bundle having a front end and inserting said front end of said z-axis reinforcing fiber bundle into said rear end of said moveable z-axis fiber insertion element until it travels substantially to said front end of said moveable z-axis fiber insertion element; inserting said pathway deposition device into and through said at least one layer of material a predetermined distance; temporarily securing said z-axis reinforcing fiber bundle to said inner wall of said z-axis fiber insertion element so that said z-axis reinforcing fiber bundle will move with said z-axis fiber insertion element; moving said z-axis fiber insertion element in the z-axis direction until said front end of said z-axis fiber insertion element meets with the tip of said pathway deposition device; moving said z-axis fiber insertion element and said z-axis reinforcing fiber bundle secured thereto through the entire thickness of said at least one layer of material while at the same time withdrawing said pathway deposition device from said at least one layer of material; unsecuring said z-axis reinforcing fiber bundle from said inner wall of said z-axis fiber insertion element and then withdrawing said z-axis fiber insertion element from said at least one layer of material, thus causing said z-axis reinforcing fiber bundle to remain within said at least one layer of material as said z-axis fiber insertion element is withdrawn; and severing the z-axis reinforcing fiber that is within said at least one layer of material from said z-axis reinforcing fiber bundle.