Composite materials having embedded metal ropes for increased damping capacity and methods of manufacturing same

Abstract

A method and system for increasing damping capacity utilizing dry friction between individual wires of a rope embedded in a component formed from a composite is illustrated. The individual wires allow inter-wire friction to occur during part vibration. The component includes a body that is a molded matrix formed form a composite material. The body may be of any material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a metal or a ceramic material. One or more vibration-damping ropes are embedded in the body. The vibration-damping ropes may be elongated segments or may be a rope having connected ends that form one or more rings. Each vibration-damping rope includes an outer layer of wires that surrounds a plurality of inner wires. Inflowing composite material is prevented from passing by the outer layer of wires and into the inner wires during the manufacturing process, thereby forming voids between the inner wires.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A vibration-damped composite component comprising:
 a body formed from a molded matrix; and   a rope embedded in said body, said rope comprising a plurality of metal wires, said wires including outer wires and inner wires, said outer wires being in direct contact with said matrix and said inner wires being free of direct contact with said matrix, whereby sliding movement of said inner wires relative to said outer wires dampens resonant vibration of the component.   
     
     
         22 . The vibration-damped composite component of claim  20 , wherein said matrix is formed from material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a metal, or a ceramic material. 
     
     
         23 . The vibration-damped composite component of claim  20 , wherein said inner wires have voids therebetween. 
     
     
         24 . The vibration-damped composite component of claim  20 , wherein said rope is an elongated segment. 
     
     
         25 . The vibration-damped composite component of claim  20 , wherein said rope has two ends that are joined to form one or the other of a ring or a loop. 
     
     
         26 . The vibration-damped composite component of claim  20 , wherein said rope is woven. 
     
     
         27 . The vibration-damped composite component of claim  20 , wherein said body is disk-shaped. 
     
     
         28 . The vibration-damped composite component of claim  20 , wherein said body has two parallel sides. 
     
     
         29 . The vibration-damped composite component of claim  20 , wherein said body is selected from the group consisting of a beam, a plate, a solid body, a body having voids that are sealed from the environment, and a body having voids that are not sealed from the environment. 
     
     
         30 . A vibration-dampener system comprising:
 a body formed from a polymerized material;   a rope embedded in said body, said rope comprising a plurality of metal wires, said wires including outer wires and inner wires, said outer wires being in direct contact with said polymerized material and said inner wires being free of direct contact with said polymerized material, whereby sliding movement of said inner wires relative to said outer wires dampens resonant vibration of the component.   
     
     
         31 . The vibration-dampener system of  claim 30 , wherein said inner wires have voids therebetween. 
     
     
         32 . The vibration-dampener system of  claim 30 , wherein said rope is an elongated segment. 
     
     
         33 . The vibration-dampener system of  claim 30 , wherein said rope has two ends that are joined to form one or the other of a ring or a loop. 
     
     
         34 . The vibration-dampener system of  claim 30 , wherein said rope is woven. 
     
     
         35 . The vibration-dampener system of  claim 30 , wherein said body is disk-shaped. 
     
     
         36 . The vibration-dampener system of  claim 30 , wherein said body has two parallel sides. 
     
     
         37 . The vibration-dampener system of  claim 30 , wherein said body is selected from the group consisting of a beam, a plate, a solid body, a body having voids that are sealed from the environment, and a body having voids that are not sealed from the environment. 
     
     
         38 . A method for dampening vibration in a component formed from a composite material, the method comprising:
 forming a rope comprising a plurality of bound wires positioned next to one another, said rope having outer wires surrounding inner wires;   positioning said rope within a component mold; and   introducing composite material into said mold whereby said wires are tightly bound sufficient to prevent composite material from passing said outer layer of wires and into said inner wires.   
     
     
         39 . The method for dampening vibration in a component formed from a composite material of  claim 38 , wherein inner wires have voids therebetween. 
     
     
         40 . The method for dampening vibration in a component formed from a composite material of  claim 39 , wherein said rope is selected from the group consisting of elongated ropes and ropes having two ends that are joined to form one or the other of a ring or a loop.