Carbon fiber wrapped structural components for a machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017190149-A1
Application number	US-201614987368-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 4, 2016
Priority date	Jan 4, 2016
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A component for a machine is disclosed. The component may include an interior frame, a protruding member extending from the interior frame, and a carbon fiber wrapped over the interior frame and around the protruding member. A method of manufacturing a component for a machine is also disclosed. The method may include supplying an interior frame with a protruding member extending from the interior frame. The method may further include wrapping a carbon fiber around the interior frame and the protruding member, and curing the carbon fiber to the interior frame.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A structural component for a machine, comprising:
an interior frame; a protruding member extending from the interior frame; and a carbon fiber wrapped over the interior frame and around the protruding member.

2 . The component of claim 1 , wherein the interior frame comprises a tubular structure including a wall having a thickness between an inclusive range of approximately three millimeters to six millimeters.

3 . The component of claim 1 , wherein the interior frame includes at least one end configured for attachment to another component of the machine.

4 . The component of claim 1 , wherein the protruding member is configured for attachment to another component of the machine.

5 . The component of claim 1 , wherein the interior frame and the protruding member are each composed of steel.

6 . The component of claim 1 , wherein the carbon fiber is composed of a single filament wound around the interior frame and the protruding member.

7 . The component of claim 1 , wherein the carbon fiber is provided in a woven arrangement around the interior frame and the protruding member.

8 . The component of claim 1 , wherein ends of the interior frame and the protruding member are uncovered by the carbon fiber for attachment to other components of the machine.

9 . The component of claim 1 , further comprising a sheathing around the carbon fiber to provide protection and impact resistance.

10 . The component of claim 9 , wherein the sheathing is composed of at least one of nylon and steel.

11 . A method of manufacturing a structural component for a machine, comprising:
supplying an interior frame with a protruding member extending from the interior frame; wrapping a carbon fiber around the interior frame and the protruding member; and curing the carbon fiber to the interior frame.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising applying a resin to the carbon fiber as the carbon fiber is being wrapped around the interior frame and the protruding member.

13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising applying a resin after a layer of the carbon fiber is wrapped around the interior frame and the protruding member.

14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising winding a single filament of the carbon fiber around the interior frame and the protruding member.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising braiding a plurality of filaments of the carbon fiber as the carbon fiber is being wrapped around the interior frame and the protruding member.

16 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising applying a pre-woven sleeve of the carbon fiber around the interior frame and the protruding member.

17 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising supplying a sheathing composed of at least one of steel and nylon over the carbon fiber.

18 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising three-dimensionally printing a protective layer over the carbon fiber.

19 . A machine, comprising:
a machine frame; a ground engaging member supporting the frame; a prime mover supported by machine frame; and at least one structural component forming part of the machine, the structural component including an interior frame having a tubular wall composed of steel, a protruding member extending from the interior frame, the protruding member configured for attachment to another component of the machine, and a carbon fiber wrapped around the interior frame and the protruding member.

20 . The machine of claim 19 , wherein the at least one structural component is at least one of the machine frame, a linkage, an operator cab, a bracket, and a work tool.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Grant Marion
• Garland Thomas
• Spanier Joseph
• Unser John

Classifications

• B32B2255/26

  Polymeric coating · CPC title

• E02F9/16

  Cabins, platforms, or the like, for drivers ({for motor vehicles in general B62D33/06}, for cranes B66C13/54) · CPC title

• B62D21/15

  having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body (bumpers B60R19/02; shock absorbers in general F16F) · CPC title

• B32B15/18

  comprising iron or steel {(B32B15/011, B32B15/012 and B32B15/013 take precedence)} · CPC title

• D06M15/59

  Polyamides; Polyimides · CPC title