Winding – tensioning – or guiding – Composite article winding – On irregularly shaped core
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-09
2003-04-01
Marcelo, Emmanuel (Department: 3653)
Winding, tensioning, or guiding
Composite article winding
On irregularly shaped core
C242S444000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06540171
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to thread winding apparatuses for winding threads around objects.
Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) is formed by reinforcing plastic with reinforced fiber material. The reinforced fiber material improves the heat resistance, strength, rigidity, and anti-crack properties of plastic. The FRP is thus provided with improved performance and is generally used for various objectives. Various methods are known for forming an FRP product. Particularly, a filament winding method is widely used in forming, for example, pressure tanks or pipes. The method maintains a reinforced fiber thread in an integral state without cutting the thread, thus maximizing the strength of the fiber thread.
FIG. 7
shows an example of an apparatus for forming an FRP product in accordance with such a filament winding method. A cylindrical mandrel
101
is rotationally supported by, for example, a frame (not shown). Linear guide members
102
and a ball screw
103
are adjacent to and parallel to the mandrel
101
. A traverse
104
is secured to the linear guide members
102
and slides along the linear guide members
102
. The traverse
104
includes a thread guide
105
. A threaded hole
107
extends through the traverse
104
and engages the ball screw
103
. When the ball screw
103
is rotated by a moving device (not shown), the traverse
104
slides along the linear guide members
102
. A reinforced fiber thread
106
is passed through the thread guide
105
and wound on a surface of the mandrel
101
through the thread guide
105
. A desired winding pattern is obtained by controlling the rotating speed of the mandrel
101
and the speed of the traverse
104
.
The reinforced fiber thread
106
is formed of, for example, glass fiber, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber. The fiber is selected in accordance with the use and shape of an FRP product. A single product may include a reinforced fiber thread
106
formed of one material. Alternatively, the product may include a plurality of reinforced fiber threads
106
formed of different materials. For example, FRP forming a compressed-natural-gas tank includes glass fiber and carbon fiber. That is, an outer fiber layer is formed by the glass fiber, and an inner fiber layer is formed by the carbon fiber. If the tank is dropped, for example, the glass fiber in the outer layer, which is relatively fragile, is fractured to absorb the shock. However, the carbon fiber in the inner layer, which is relatively hard, prevents the tank from being ruptured. The contents of the tank therefore does not escape.
However, to form an FRP product including a plurality of reinforced fiber threads
106
formed of different materials, the operation of the thread winding apparatus must be discontinued for switching the reinforced fiber threads
106
. That is, when winding of one reinforced fiber thread
106
is completed, the thread
106
must be removed from the thread guide
105
. Subsequently, another reinforced fiber thread
106
of a different material is passed through the thread guide
105
before being wound around the mandrel
101
. This lowers efficiency and increases costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a thread winding apparatus with an improved operational efficiency that quickly replaces a reinforced fiber thread when forming an FRP product using a plurality of reinforced fiber threads of different materials.
To achieve the above objective, the present invention is a thread winding apparatus for winding a thread around an object while rotating the object. The apparatus includes a plurality of guide members for selectively guiding a plurality of threads to a surface of the object. One guide member corresponds to one thread, and the guide members move along the object. A moving device moves the guide members.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2319413 (1943-05-01), Leathers et al.
patent: 2645429 (1953-07-01), Scott et al.
patent: 2964252 (1960-12-01), Rosenberg
patent: 3010667 (1961-11-01), Forsberg
patent: 3052419 (1962-09-01), Huck
patent: 3589643 (1971-06-01), Takizawa
patent: 3886029 (1975-05-01), Poulsen
patent: 3989200 (1976-11-01), Bachi
patent: 4359356 (1982-11-01), Kornbichler et al.
patent: 4856720 (1989-08-01), Deregibus
patent: 5450516 (1995-09-01), Pasquali et al.
patent: 5876544 (1999-03-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 5897729 (1999-04-01), Bikson et al.
patent: 6050518 (2000-04-01), Ninet et al.
patent: 6098913 (2000-08-01), Demore
patent: 6192958 (2001-02-01), Yamamoto et al.
patent: 6390406 (2002-05-01), Wood
patent: 2001/0028015 (2001-10-01), Yasui et al.
patent: 0 493 046 (1992-07-01), None
patent: 204281 (1990-08-01), None
patent: 6-49549 (1994-06-01), None
patent: 11-262955 (1999-09-01), None
Amano Masaaki
Yasui Yoshiharu
Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
Marcelo Emmanuel
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
LandOfFree
Thread winding apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Thread winding apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thread winding apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3034064