Fiber application machine comprising a flexible compacting roller with a thermal regulation system

• US 8,191,596 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2009
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Group Coriolis
• Original Assignee: Coriolis Composites
• Inventors: Hamlyn, Alexander, Hardy, Yvan
• Primary Examiner(s): AFTERGUT, JEFFRY H
• Application Number:
  US12/628,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20110011537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 156/523, 156/574, 156/441, 156/433
• US Class Current: 156/441
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/384 Fiber placement heads, e.g. component parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 3/005 Roll constructions
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 5/02 Rotary drums or rollers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1348 Work traversing type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1788 Work traversing type and/or means applying work to wall or static structure

Abstract

A fiber application machine for the production of parts made of composite materials comprising a compacting roller for applying on an application surface a band formed of at least a resin pre-impregnated flat fiber, and a heating system able to emit a heat radiation towards the band. The compacting roller comprises a rigid central tube provided with radial holes, and a cylinder made of an elastically deformable, flexible material, assembled on the central tube, and having a fluid communication assembly that brings the radial holes into fluid communication with the external surface of the cylinder. The machine includes a thermal regulation system that injects a thermal regulation fluid in the central tube internal passage.

Claims

1. A fiber application machine for the production of parts made of composite materials comprising a compacting roller for applying, on an application surface, a band formed of at least one resin pre-impregnated flat fiber, and a heating system adapted to emit heat radiation directed towards the band, said compacting roller comprising a rigid central tube, and a cylinder made of an elastically deformable, flexible material, assembled on said central tube,

said central tube being provided with radial holes, said flexible material cylinder having fluid communication means adapted to bring said radial holes into fluid communication with the external surface of said cylinder, said machine comprising thermal regulation means able to inject a thermal regulation fluid in the internal passage of the central tube.

2. The fiber application machine according to claim 1, said fluid communication means adapted to bring said cylinder external surface into fluid communication with the lateral sides of the compacting roller.

3. The fiber application machine according to claim 1, said fluid communication means comprising radial channels, each radial channel opening onto a radial hole of the central tube and onto the external surface of the cylinder.

4. The fiber application machine according to claim 3, said fluid communication means comprising longitudinal grooves opening onto the cylinder lateral sides, said radial channels opening onto said longitudinal grooves.

5. The fiber application machine according to claim 3, said fluid communication means comprising circular grooves onto which said radial channels open.

6. The fiber application machine according to claim 1, said fluid communication means comprising a cylinder made of a porous, flexible material.

7. The fiber application machine according to claim 1, said fluid communication means comprising a sheath covering the cylinder external surface, said sheath being made of a porous material.

8. The fiber application machine according to claim 1, said roller comprising a shielding sheath covering said cylinder and forming a shield against heat radiation emitted by the heating system.

9. The fiber application machine according to claim 1, said cylinder being made of a material substantially transparent to said heat radiation.

10. The fiber application machine according to claims 1, said compacting roller comprising an anti-adherent external layer coating said flexible material cylinder.

11. The fiber application machine according to claims 1, it further comprising thermal regulation means able to output a thermal regulation fluid flux directed towards the compacting roller, so as to regulate the temperature of said compacting roller from outside.

12. The fiber application machine according to claim 1, said thermal regulation means adapted to inject a thermal regulation fluid comprising air at room temperature between 15°

C. and 30°

C.