Superimposed zones process heating
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for heating a thermoset composite tape material comprising:
- a processor;
a tape feed controller;
a compaction roller for compacting the thermoset composite tape material;
a first heat source;
a second heat source;
wherein the first heat source is configured and disposed to form a first energy window on a first ply of the thermoset composite tape material, and wherein the second heat source is configured and disposed to form a second energy window on the first ply of the thermoset composite tape material, wherein the first energy window is completely superimposed on the second energy window; and
further comprising a third heat source, wherein the third heat source is configured and disposed to form a third energy window on the first ply of the thermoset composite tape material, wherein the second energy window is completely superimposed on the third energy window, and wherein the processor is configured and disposed to control the tape feed controller such that the heated first ply of the thermoset composite tape material and a second ply of the thermoset composite tape material are compacted by the compaction roller after exiting the third energy window.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention include a heating method and apparatus in which a plurality of heated regions is superimposed in order to improve energy density control.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for heating a thermoset composite tape material comprising:
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a processor; a tape feed controller; a compaction roller for compacting the thermoset composite tape material; a first heat source; a second heat source; wherein the first heat source is configured and disposed to form a first energy window on a first ply of the thermoset composite tape material, and wherein the second heat source is configured and disposed to form a second energy window on the first ply of the thermoset composite tape material, wherein the first energy window is completely superimposed on the second energy window; and further comprising a third heat source, wherein the third heat source is configured and disposed to form a third energy window on the first ply of the thermoset composite tape material, wherein the second energy window is completely superimposed on the third energy window, and wherein the processor is configured and disposed to control the tape feed controller such that the heated first ply of the thermoset composite tape material and a second ply of the thermoset composite tape material are compacted by the compaction roller after exiting the third energy window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification