US 12,421,637 B2
Systems and methods for selective needling of fibrous preforms for shape-forming
Vijay V. Pujar, San Diego, CA (US); Katherine E. Waugh, San Diego, CA (US); and Christopher C. Koroly, Spring Valley, CA (US)
Assigned to Rohr, Inc., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed by Rohr, Inc., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/174,360.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/425,636, filed on Nov. 15, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0158970 A1, May 16, 2024
Int. Cl. D04H 18/02 (2012.01); D04H 1/46 (2012.01)
CPC D04H 18/02 (2013.01) [D04H 1/46 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for selective needling on a fibrous preform, comprising:
shape forming the fibrous preform, including bending the fibrous preform about at least one axis to form a bent portion of the fibrous preform;
identifying a first zone on the fibrous preform, the first zone includes the bent portion of the fibrous preform;
identifying a second zone on the fibrous preform, the second zone excludes the bent portion of the fibrous preform;
performing a through thickness reinforcement process on the fibrous preform; and
varying a needle density during the through thickness reinforcement process such that a first needle density of the first zone is different from a second needle density of the second zone.