Apparatus, system, and method for filamentary composite lattice structure manufacturing

• Main Authors: EVANS TYLER, BOYCE JENNIFER, HANSEN STEVE, DAVIS KEITH, LARSON GREGORY, PATE EVE, GUNNELL BOYD, KESLER SARITA
• Format: Patent
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: 18.11.2009
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; BRAID; BRAIDING; BRAIDING MACHINES; BRAIDING OR MANUFACTURE OF LACE, INCLUDING BOBBIN-NET ORCARBONISED LACE; CONVEYING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS,CABLES; KNITTING; LACE; LACE-MAKING; LOOMS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; METHODS OF WEAVING; NON-WOVEN FABRICS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; STORING; TEXTILES; TRANSPORTING; TRIMMINGS; WARPING OR BEAMING; WARPING, BEAMING OR LEASING; WEAVING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL; WOVEN FABRICS; YARNS

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for the manufacture of composite lattice structures comprising a weaving mechanism 104 configured to position fibers in a lattice structure and a shape retention structure 108 configured to hold the fibers in the lattice structure. The weaving mechanism 104 includes one or more bobbins 304, each of the one or more bobbins 304 configured to carry fiber. The weaving mechanism 104 includes a plurality of horn gears 302 configured to move the one or more bobbins 304 across the face of the weaving mechanism 104 to control the position of the fiber in the lattice structure. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would automate the process of manufacturing composite lattice structures and reduce the costs associated with the existing methods for manufacturing such structures.