Abstract:
A method for producing endless abrasive articles (100) includes providing a mandrel coil (200), which comprises a first complete turn (B0A) formed of an endless mandrel belt (B0), feeding the endless mandrel belt (B0) to an input end (IN0) of the mandrel coil (200) and unwinding the mandrel belt (B0) from an output end (OUT0) of the mandrel coil (200) so as to move the surface of the first complete turn (B0A) of the mandrel coil (200), forming a laminated sleeve (SLEEVE1) by feeding a first strip (S1) on the moving surface of the first complete turn (B0A) of the mandrel coil (200), and forming an endless abrasive article (100) by cutting the laminated sleeve (SLEEVE1).
Abstract:
This plant for manufacturing a rigid pipe for drawing up deep water for a marine thermal energy plant is characterized in that it comprises a floating platform on which there is installed a continuous production device in the vertical axis of the pipe, including a first stage of winding webs of fibers impregnated with resin about a winding roll for the partial crosslinking thereof, said wall being formed by modular elements in the form of plates, which are connected together so as to form a strip that moves in a spiral and repeating in the upper part of the roll so as to form a winding surface for the webs.
Abstract:
A high-speed automated method and operating system is disclosed for constructing continuous-walled tubular structures in space having unlimited dimensions. The system comprises a relatively short tubular conveyor with a flexible endless conveying surface sliding in a longitudinal direction around a smooth cylindrical inner guide tube, and a plurality of wrapping wheels containing wrapping material moving in transverse directions. By moving the conveyor and simultaneously moving the wrapping wheels around the conveyor, sheets of material are wrapped around the outer conveying surface made firm by the inner guide tube to continuously manufacture a rigid multi-layered laminated walled cylindrical structure with an inside diameter equal to the outside diameter of the tubular conveyor. By varying the conveyor speed-to-wrapping wheel speed ratio, any wall thickness is obtained. The wrapping material is rolled into spools, mounted inside cartridges, and loaded into the wrapping wheels for easy insertion and replacement. Thus, the manufacturing process can be continued indefinitely to obtain a tubular structure having any dimensions desired. Since the sheets of wrapping material are transported to orbit in rolls with very high packing density, the machine can construct huge structures in orbit with relatively few trips.
Abstract:
Apparatus for producing tubes by helically winding strips of thermoplastics synthetic sheet material, comprising a double-shell coolable draw-off mandrel onto which, immediately after its extrusion through a slit nozzle or after being heated to a workable state, the sheet material is wound spirally in overlapping manner in such a way that it is formed into a tube with an obliquely extending winding seam, pull-off apparatus to cause and permit axial and rotational movement of the tube relative to the draw-off mandrel and cooling means to act directly on the sheet material wound into a tube on the draw-off mandrel. The double-shell draw-off mandrel can be cooled by liquid coolants circulating through a closed cooling system and between inner and outer shells of the mandrel. Conveyors extending longitudinally of the mandrel and laterally overlapping with one another can be provided to reduce friction between the tube and the mandrel. The pull-off apparatus may comprise a rotatable housing mounting caterpillars and surrounding the mandrel. A further extruder can be provided to extrude a further strip of material onto the tube to form outer layers of the tube and reinforcing material can be incorporated in the tube.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for reorienting the material of a layer of plastic, paper, or a multiplicity of natural or synthetic threads, tapes or filaments such that the longitudinal axis of the layer, which initially coincides with its direction of travel, is eventually at right angles to its direction of travel. In accordance with the method and apparatus of the invention, a plurality of belts move over a stationary mandrel in a helical path. The layer is wrapped about the belts and stationary mandrel such that the longitudinal axis of the layer and its direction of movement is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the belts. Gripper cables cooperate with the belts to grip the layer just prior to its being cut as it leaves the mandrel. The result is a newly formed layer comprising reoriented abutting pieces of the material held together by the belts and gripper cables. These pieces are as long as the width of the newly formed layer, but the longitudinal axis of the pieces is now at right angles to the direction of movement of the new layer.
Abstract:
The invention is an apparatus for detecting band overlaps and similar defects on an endless forming surface comprised of a continuous band helically wound in a plurality of side-by-side convolutions. The device comprises two members movably connected together and each being in contact with one of adjacent convolutions of the band. A sensing means, such as an electric switch, is mounted on one of the members and is actuated by movement of the other member in response to an overlap or other radial displacement of the corresponding convolution. The sensing means can be connected to the drive circuit for the band to automatically stop the drive when an overlap occurs.
Abstract:
The method and apparatus provide for production of pipe lengths having bell and spigot ends adapted to cooperate with each other serially in laying a pipe line. The technique provides for continuous production of pipe, with bell portions spaced at intervals, the bell portions being divided or severed in order to provide a bell end on the adjacent ends of the pipe lengths formed by the division. At points intermediate to the bell portions the pipe is also divided or severed in order to provide pipe lengths having spigot ends at one end and bell ends at the other end.
Abstract:
An apparatus for applying weft yarns in a cross direction to warp yarns assembled on a beam in parallel aligned relationship and having an adhesive scrim thereon includes a supply roll of the warp yarns on such a beam which are fed downstream of the apparatus by first laying the warp yarns onto a transfer belt to reduce the tension in the yarns and controlling them for application of the weft yarns. A transfer belt and warp yarns are first folded between folding bars into a cylindrical configuration where they are formed around the perimeter of an elongated mandrel having a heated section at its upstream end and a cooling section at its downstream end. The adhesive scrim is softened as the warp yarns pass over the heated section of the mandrel and shortly thereafter, weft yarns are wrapped around the warp yarns and the supporting transfer belt within a rotating tube having a plurality of longitudinally and circumferentially spaced spools of weft yarn disposed on its outer surface. The yarns are fed upstream from the spool along the rotating tube on which they are mounted and pass through a tensioning apparatus to unify the tension in the various yarns running along the tube. The uniformly tensioned weft yarns pass through individual equally circumferentially spaced nozzles around the circumference of the rotating tube where the yarns are deposited onto a laydown ring having a sloped surface that urges the yarns downwardly so they are deposited around the cylindrical surface of the mandrel and onto the adhesive scrim on the outer surface of the warp yarns. After having been deposited on the warp yarns, the transfer belt moves the fabric having warp and weft yarns across the cooling section of the mandrel where the adhesive is set. Subsequently, a cutter severs the weft yarns in a longitudinal line along the bottom edge of the cylindrical fabric and a pair of unfolding rods move the transfer belt and fabric carried thereby from the cylindrical form in which the fabric was created to a flat sheet form. After flattened into elongated sheet form, the fabric is separated from the transfer belt and accumulated on a take up drum.
Abstract:
A printing sleeve for a flexographic printing process is prepared by spirally winding successive adhesive coated tapes onto a forming mandrel such that the outer tape covers the seam in the previous layer, providing heat to the thermoplastic adhesive layers at the initial contact point between two tapes, providing sufficient tension to ensure consolidation, and advancing the resultant printing sleeve off the mandrel by means of a drive belt.