Rolls-Royce has filed a patent for a method to manufacture composite components using a multi-layer woven preform made from fiber-reinforcement material. The preform includes specific weave patterns to reduce thickness towards the edges. This innovation aims to enhance the structural integrity of composite components. GlobalData’s report on Rolls-Royce gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Rolls-Royce, Photovoltaic drones was a key innovation area identified from patents. Rolls-Royce's grant share as of January 2024 was 60%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for manufacturing composite components using woven preforms
A patent application (Publication Number: US20240035210A1) describes a method for manufacturing a composite component using a multi-layer woven preform. The method involves weaving the preform from warp and weft tows of fiber-reinforcement material, with a specific focus on the edge regions of the component. These edge regions are designed to have a reduced thickness towards the lateral side by varying the weave properties of the binding stacks. The weaving process includes creating an alternating pattern of binding stacks and intermediate stacks, each with a specific type of multi-layer weave to ensure structural integrity and reduced thickness at the edges.
Furthermore, the patent application details various aspects of the weaving process, including the selection of weave properties such as the number of warp tows in a binding stack, the type of multi-layer weave used, and the number of weft tows bound in a stack. The method also includes resin infusion and forming operations to embed the weft tows in a composite matrix, ensuring a strong and durable final product. Additionally, the woven structure formed by warp and weft tows of fiber reinforcement material is described, highlighting the primary portion with edge regions and the specific weave pattern used to achieve the desired thickness reduction towards the lateral side. Overall, the patent application outlines a comprehensive method for manufacturing composite components with a focus on structural integrity and reduced thickness at the edges, suitable for applications such as aerofoils.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
