Abstract:
A process for manufacturing pipes using thermoplastic pipe and "tape" (continuous fiber, fully wetted in a similar thermoplastic as the pipe) that embeds the fibers into pipe surface. In one embodiment, an ambient temperature (72 degrees F) tape is tightly wrapped around the cold pipe in a dry environment (relative humidity below 30). An external heat source is used to heat up the entire length of the pipe causing the thermoplastic to melt and the pipe to expand due to thermal expansion. Since the fibers have less stretch than the thermal expansion of the pipe the fibers will be embedded into the molten layer of the pipe.
Abstract:
The instant invention pertains to a new method for improving the barrier properties of composite gas cylinders for the storage of gas, by wrapping the outer surface of a composite gas cylinder with a plastic film comprising a barrier material in a winding process. The composite gas cylinder comprises an inner liner made of polyolefin and an outer fibre-reinforced, pressure supporting layer. The barrier material may comprise polyamide, polyester, halogen substituted polymer, EVOH or a metallization. The invention pertains also to a high pressure composite gas cylinder having enhanced barrier properties and its use as a fuel tank in gas driven automotive vehicles equipped with a combustion engine.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method to bond fiber reinforced polymer composite tape layers to make reinforcement stacks. The method includes collecting a plurality of composite tape layers to form a reinforcement stack, helically winding the reinforcement stack; and curing an adhesive on one or more surfaces of the plurality of composite tape layers by exposing the reinforcement stack to radiation. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method to bond fiber reinforced polymer composite reinforcement stacks. The method includes collecting a plurality of composite tape layers each comprising at least one resin-rich surface to form a reinforcement stack, helically winding the reinforcement stack, and bonding the reinforcement stack by exposing the reinforcement stack to radiation. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus to bond polymer composite reinforcement stacks.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a winding machine for winding ribbon or filament material (203) around an elongated object (292), e.g. the spar of a wind turbine blade. According to the invention the winding machine has an opening (204,304) in a structural part which at least partly encircles the object during the winding process. The opening (204, 304) allows easy positioning o the winding machine or the object (292) since the object can pass through the opening along a radial direction, i.e. a direction perpendicular to the elongated extension of the object. The winding machine includes a carrousel which includes a movable element configured to be guided by a guiding support Accordingly, the carrousel is constructed as an open structure in contrast to a closed structure such a closed ring.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer thermisch isolierten Rohrleitung (3), insbesondere für ein kryogenes Medium, bei dem ein Pulver-Faser Gemisch (11) auf ein Hohlrohr (5) als thermische Isolierschicht (11') aufgetragen wird, wobei die das Hohlrohr (5) umgebende Isolierschicht (11') aus dem Pulver-Faser-Gemisch (11) mit einem textilartigen Fasernverbund (15) und/oder mit einer gasdurchlässigen Bandage (16) umwickelt wird. Eine hierzu vorgesehene Vorrichtung (1) umfasst einen Vorratsbehälter (10) zur Aufnahme des Pulver-Faser-Gemisches (11) und eine Fördereinrichtung (2, 28) zum Aufbringen des Pulver-Faser-Gemisch (11) auf das Hohlrohr (5) sowie eine Vorschubeinrichtung (6) zum Ausschieben des Hohlrohres (5) in Rohrlängsrichtung (7) über eine Austrittsöffnung (8).
Abstract:
A method of insulating an article (20) comprising: surrounding at least a portion of the article (20) with an insulating layer (24), inserting the article portion surrounded by the insulating layer (24) into an outer protective sleeve (26), and shrinking the outer protective sleeve (26) around the insulating layer (24).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and device for protecting core material using protective material, in which method the core material (4) is coated with protective material (3) . According to the invention, the method comprises the step of un-spooling (1) a cut-to- size protective material ribbon from a reel onto a rolling-up unit; the step of transferring the rolling- up unit and the step of coating (2) the core material with a protective material ribbon. At the step of un-spooling (1) the protective material ribbon, a uniform, cut-to-size protective material ribbon (3b) is un-spooled from one or more protective material ribbon reels (5) onto the rolling-up unit (6) ; and if necessary, the ribbons from different reels are joined together (8) by their ends to achieve a desired cut-to- size protective material ribbon. At the step of transferring, the formed rolling-up unit (6) , having a ribbon length of the protective material (3b) necessary in the coating of the core material, is removed and transferred to the step of coating (2) the core material. At the step of coating (2) the core material, the protective material ribbon is guided from the rolling-up unit (6) simultaneously with the core material (4) so that the core material is arranged within the protective ribbon.
Abstract:
A cellular reservoir flexible pressure vessel (10) is formed as a series of closely packed tubes (15) fitted into a pair of opposing end caps (45, 50). The end caps have individual receptacles sized and shaped to receive tube ends that are secured with adhesive or radio frequency welding. At least one end cap has a passageway (85) for connection of the vessel. The flexible pressure vessel has a pressure relief device comprising a reduction in thickness of one endcap at a predetermined location.
Abstract:
A process for fabricating a composite vessel includes: A) preforming a composite shell (63) for the vessel (by, for example, winding fiberglass and a thermoplastic material onto a thermoplastic mandrel), the shell having at least one opening for access to the interior; B) introducing an inflatable liner (66) fabricated from a thermoplastic film (67) into the composite shell through the opening; C) surrounding the composite shell with an outer thermoplastic film; D) in a mold (60) (which may optionally itself be heated), heating the thermoplastic film liner, the composite shell and the outer thermoplastic film while applying at least one force (e.g., by evacuating the mold, pressurizing the interior of the thermoplastic film liner or both) which tends to urge the thermoplastic film liner, the composite shell and the outer thermoplastic film outwardly; E) continuing step D) until the thermoplastic film liner, the composite shell and the outer thermoplastic film consolidate and the resulting composite structure becomes fluid and flows to conform to the interior surface of the mold, thereby forming the composite vessel; F) allowing the formed composite vessel to cool; and G) removing the formed composite vessel from the mold. The resulting composite vessel exhibits superior mechanical and aesthetic properties.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing paint rollers includes the steps of extruding (20) a cylindrical plastic core (28) through a rotating extruder head (26), and securing an absorbent sheet material (80) onto the outer surface of the core in a continuous process.