Sandwich core material

Abstract

A sandwich core material for a sandwich laminate is disclosed. The sandwich core material includes a number of flexible core material elements having a longitudinal structure. A flexible core material for a sandwich core material, a sandwich laminate and a wind turbine blade including such a sandwich core material are provided. In addition, the present a method of manufacturing such a sandwich core material is provided.

1 . A sandwich core material for a sandwich laminate,
 wherein the sandwich core material comprises a plurality of flexible core material elements having a longitudinal structure.   
     
     
         2 . The sandwich core material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the core material elements comprise tows or threads.   
     
     
         3 . The sandwich core material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the core material elements comprise a plurality of fibres and/or tubes and/or hoses.   
     
     
         4 . The sandwich core material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the core material elements comprise a plurality of braided fibre hoses.   
     
     
         5 . The sandwich core material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the sandwich core material comprises a foam.   
     
     
         6 . The sandwich core material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the core material elements have a substantially rectangular cross section.   
     
     
         7 . The sandwich core material according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the core material elements are equipped with reinforcement fibres.   
     
     
         8 . A flexible core material element including a longitudinal structure for a sandwich core material according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A sandwich laminate comprising:
 a sandwich core material according to  claim 1 ; and   a sandwich skin layer on a first and/or a second surface of the sandwich core material.   
     
     
         10 . A wind turbine blade comprising:
 a sandwich core material according to any  claim 1  or a flexible core material element according to  claim 8  or a sandwich laminate according to  claim 9 .   
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a sandwich core material comprising:
 arranging a plurality of flexible core material elements having a longitudinal structure into a mould.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the core material elements are arranged into the mould by an automatic process.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the core material elements are delivered from a bobbin and/or roll when being deployed into the mould.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , comprising:
 bonding the flexible core material elements together by a glue or resin.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein a plurality of flexible core material elements having a substantial rectangular shape are arranged in a sheet-like form.