US 12,188,160 B2
Filament network for a composite structure
Sam Meure, Heatherton (AU); Christopher A. Howe, Albert Park (AU); and Mark S. Wilenski, Mercer Island, WA (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Arlington, VA (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/542,639.
Application 17/542,639 is a division of application No. 16/695,704, filed on Nov. 26, 2019, granted, now 11,220,068.
Application 16/695,704 is a division of application No. 14/501,125, filed on Sep. 30, 2014, granted, now 10,632,718, issued on Apr. 28, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0088891 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. D04H 1/4382 (2012.01); B29C 70/08 (2006.01); B29C 70/14 (2006.01); B29C 70/30 (2006.01); B29L 9/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01); B32B 5/26 (2006.01); B32B 37/18 (2006.01); B32B 38/08 (2006.01); D04H 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC D04H 1/43835 (2020.05) [B29C 70/081 (2013.01); B29C 70/14 (2013.01); B29C 70/30 (2013.01); B32B 5/26 (2013.01); B32B 37/18 (2013.01); B32B 38/08 (2013.01); D04H 13/00 (2013.01); B29L 2009/00 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3076 (2013.01); B32B 2260/046 (2013.01); B32B 2605/18 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A composite structure comprising:
a number of fiber layers, wherein each fiber layer of the number of fiber layers comprises:
a fiber bundle; and
a filament layer at least partially covering the fiber bundle, the filament layer comprising discontinuous filaments, the discontinuous filaments comprising first filaments and second filaments, wherein:
the first filaments comprise a first length of between 15 micrometers and 15 millimeters and a first material composition having a first melting temperature between 50° C. and 175° C.;
the second filaments comprise a second length of between 30 millimeters and 100 millimeters and a second material composition having a second melting temperature greater than 175° C.;
the first material composition is selected to provide thermal bonding of the fiber layers; and
the second material composition is selected to impart mechanical strength and stability of the fiber layers; and
a resin binding the number of fiber layers together.