Erich A Wilson

US Patent:

8313600, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Aug 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/542607

Inventors:

Erich A. Wilson - Provo UT, US
Michael D. Kipp - Highland UT, US
Michael D. Ridges - American Fork UT, US

Assignee:

Sigma-Tek, LLC - Provo UT

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156175, 156169, 156173, 156425, 156433, 156286

Abstract:

A method and system for fabricating a geometrically versatile composite lattice support structure having a seamless three-dimensional configuration. The lattice support structure is created by forming two or more cross supports, such as helical, longitudinal, circumferential and/or lateral cross supports, which intersect to form a plurality of multi-layered nodes. The lattice support structure may be designed without any protrusions extending outward from the overall geometry, thus enabling efficient tooling, and thus enabling ease of mass production. The lattice support structure may comprise a completely circumferentially closed geometry, such as a cylinder, ellipse, airfoil, etc. The method for fabricating the lattice support structure comprises laying up a fiber material, in the presence of resin, within rigid channels of a rigid mold, thus creating a green, uncured three-dimensional geometry of unconsolidated cross supports and multi-layered nodes where these intersect. Subjecting these to a curing system functions to consolidate the cross supports and multi-layered nodes to produce the composite lattice support structure.

US Patent:

8444900, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Aug 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/542555

Inventors:

Erich A. Wilson - Provo UT, US
Michael D. Kipp - Highland UT, US
Michael D. Ridges - American Fork UT, US

Assignee:

Sigma-Tek, LLC - Lindon UT

International Classification:

B29C 70/44

US Classification:

264258, 156173, 264319

Abstract:

A method and system for fabricating a geometrically versatile composite lattice support structure having a seamless three-dimensional configuration. The lattice support structure is created by forming two or more cross supports, such as helical, longitudinal, circumferential and/or lateral cross supports, which intersect to form a plurality of multi-layered nodes. The lattice support structure may be designed without any protrusions extending outward from the overall geometry, thus enabling efficient tooling, and thus enabling ease of mass production. The lattice support structure may comprise a completely circumferentially closed geometry, such as a cylinder, ellipse, airfoil, etc. The method for fabricating the lattice support structure comprises laying up a fiber material, in the presence of resin, within rigid channels of a rigid mold, thus creating a green, uncured three-dimensional geometry of unconsolidated cross supports and multi-layered nodes where these intersect. Subjecting these to a curing system functions to consolidate the cross supports and multi-layered nodes to produce the composite lattice support structure.

US Patent:

20060216149, Sep 28, 2006

Filed:

Oct 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/163528

Inventors:

Erich Wilson - Springville UT, US

International Classification:

B63H 9/02

US Classification:

416004000

Abstract:

Two or more disks of single or multiple materials of any given diameter and thickness whether homogeneous, tapered or contoured in a constant, linear or non-linear fashion in the axial direction with one or more openings in the disk(s) to create a fluid flow channel from the periphery of the disk(s) to the center near the shaft or vice versa and spaced a distance apart by a bracket, spacer or location along the shaft, used to comprise a disk assembly of a bladeless compressor, pump or turbine. Embodiments of this invention include the non-constant treatment of the assembly outer diameter, fluid flow channel inner and/or outer diameters as well as the differentiation in gap size between disks of the assembly.

US Patent:

20060291997, Dec 28, 2006

Filed:

Oct 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/163415

Inventors:

Erich Wilson - Springville UT, US

International Classification:

F01D 1/36

US Classification:

415090000

Abstract:

A disk in a bladeless turbine, compressor or pump comprising of a working surface, a hub for axial mounting and one or more bridges connecting the hub to the working surface. Said disk configuration forming fluid flow chambers in the disk for the entrance or exit of fluid for the purpose of extracting or infusing energy into or from the fluid. Said chambers may vary in size from one to another or may be of geometry other than triangular or trapezoidal, for example tear-drop shaped. Furthermore, this invention includes precise description of non-constant angular and axial geometry of said bridges.

US Patent:

20070092369, Apr 26, 2007

Filed:

Oct 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/163612

Inventors:

Erich Wilson - Springville UT, US

International Classification:

F01D 1/36

US Classification:

415090000

Abstract:

A bracket and/or spacer in a bladeless turbine, compressor or pump comprising of a hub for axial mounting and one or more arms connected to the hub. Said bracket and/or spacer configuration conforming in part or completely to the forming fluid flow chambers in the neighboring disk for the entrance or exit of fluid for the purpose of extracting or infusing energy into or from the fluid. Furthermore, this invention includes precise description of non-constant angular and axial geometry of said arms.

US Patent:

20100064612, Mar 18, 2010

Filed:

Aug 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/542442

Inventors:

Erich A. Wilson - Provo UT, US
Michael D. Ridges - American Fork UT, US
Michael D. Kipp - Highland UT, US

International Classification:

E04H 12/02
E04H 12/00

US Classification:

5230916, 526532

Abstract:

The present disclosure is drawn to a lattice support structure, comprising a plurality of fiber-based cross supports intersecting one another to form a multi-layered node. The multi-layered node can be consolidated within a rigid mold in the presence of resin, heat, and pressure. In another embodiment, a lattice support structure can comprise a first cross support comprising fiber material; a second cross support comprising a fiber material, said second cross support intersecting the first cross support; and multi-layered nodes located where the first cross support intersects the second cross support. The multi-layered nodes can comprise at least two layers of the first cross support separated by a least one layer of the second cross support. Also, one of the first cross support or the second cross support can be curved from node to node.

US Patent:

20100075074, Mar 25, 2010

Filed:

Aug 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/542613

Inventors:

Erich A. Wilson - Provo UT, US
Michael D. Kipp - Highland UT, US
Michael D. Ridges - American Fork UT, US

International Classification:

B29D 22/00
B29C 53/00
B29C 53/42

US Classification:

428 341, 425441, 156189

Abstract:

Mandrels of various configuration, and action, including collapsible mandrels, to be used in forming composite articles with preselected three dimensional shapes and construction are disclosed and described. In one aspect, such a mandrel may have a plurality of discrete segments coupled about a longitudinal axis and collectively forming an enclosure with a substantially continuous exterior working surface. The working surface can have a network of intersecting grooves formed therein, and such grooves can cooperatively establish a substantially continuous interconnected lattice corresponding to the three dimensional geometric configuration to be imparted to a composite article formed. The mandrel may optionally include a removable core assembly to aid in collapse of the mandrel.

US Patent:

20110281082, Nov 17, 2011

Filed:

May 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/108873

Inventors:

Erich A. Wilson - Provo UT, US

Assignee:

Sigma-Tek, L.L.C. - Provo UT

International Classification:

B32B 3/12
B29C 70/30

US Classification:

428178, 156293

Abstract:

Three-dimensional carbon fiber based composite support structures and methods for the manufacture and use thereof are disclosed and described. In one aspect, such a support structure may include a lattice of intersecting support members made of a carbon fiber composite material and a cover of the same carbon fiber composite material as the lattice, fused to at least one side of the lattice and covering at least a portion thereof.