Device for impregnation and curing of continuous fibers with resin

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10780656-B2
Application number	US-201515769448-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 30, 2015
Priority date	Oct 30, 2015
Publication date	Sep 22, 2020
Grant date	Sep 22, 2020

Abstract

An apparatus for preparation of a continuous composite element formed of reinforcement fibers impregnated with a resin that includes photo-initiators for curing. Reinforcement fibers are pulled through a vacuum chamber (110) and then a vertical impregnation chamber (122) where impregnation with the resin occurs. The elongate composite is then deposited onto a rotating wheel of conformation (140). During rotation, a radiation source (146) such as e.g., LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used to activate the photo-initiators and provide at least partial curing of the resin. From the wheel of conformation, the continuous composite element is passed along a vertical course (148) where additional radiation sources (150) activate the photo-initiators and provided additional curing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite that includes reinforcement fibers impregnated within a cured resin, the apparatus comprising:
a vacuum chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end, the vacuum chamber configured to apply a vacuum to the elongate composite;
a first channel having an inlet and having an outlet in communication with the vacuum chamber, the first channel positioned at the inlet end of the vacuum chamber and configured to supply elongate composite to the vacuum chamber;
an impregnation chamber defining a longitudinal axis extending between an impregnation chamber inlet and an impregnation chamber outlet, the longitudinal axis oriented along a vertical direction, the impregnation chamber configured to impregnate the elongate composite with a resin and configured to maintain in the impregnation chamber a tension in each of the fibers of the elongate composite in a range of 0.2 daN to 0.3 daN;
a second channel having an inlet in communication with the vacuum chamber and an outlet in communication with the impregnation chamber;
at least one die configured for shaping the elongate composite and positioned downstream of the impregnation chamber;
an assembly for curing the resin, the assembly positioned downstream of the at least one die, the assembly comprising:
a wheel onto which impregnated, elongate composite is deposited and rotates with the wheel over a predetermined arc length;
a vertical course through which the impregnated, elongated composite passes after rotating with the wheel; and
a first radiation source positioned adjacent to the predetermined arc length and configured for at least partially curing the resin; and
a second radiation source positioned adjacent to the vertical course and configured for at least partially curing the resin.

2. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , wherein the wheel defines a groove extending circumferentially around an outside surface of the wheel, the groove configured for receipt of the impregnated, elongate composite.

3. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , a plurality of bobbins positioned upstream of the first channel and configured to supply elongate composite to the inlet of the first channel.

4. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , wherein the resin comprises photo-initiators.

5. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , wherein the first channel has a length along a process direction, and wherein a cross-section of the first channel remains constant between the inlet and the outlet of the first channel.

6. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , wherein the first channel has a length along a process direction, and wherein a cross-section of the first channel does not increase between the inlet and the outlet of the first channel.

7. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , wherein the first channel has a non-circular cross-section.

8. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , wherein the assembly for curing the resin is enclosed within an inert atmosphere.

9. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , further comprising a tank for supplying resin to the impregnation chamber.

10. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 9 , further comprising a metering pump in fluid communication with the tank and configured for providing a controlled amount of resin to the impregnation chamber.

11. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , wherein the wheel includes an outer peripheral surface for receipt of the impregnated, elongate composite.

12. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 11 , wherein the outer peripheral surface of the wheel defines a groove into which the impregnated, elongate composite is deposited.

13. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 1 , wherein the first radiation source comprises a first plurality of LEDs.

14. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 13 , wherein the second radiation source comprises a second plurality of LEDs.

15. The apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite as in claim 14 , wherein the first and second radiation sources have a wavelength in the range of 200 nm to 420 nm.

16. An apparatus for manufacturing a continuous, elongate composite that includes reinforcement fibers impregnated within a cured resin, the apparatus comprising:
a vacuum chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end, the vacuum chamber configured to apply a vacuum to the elongate composite;
a first channel having an inlet and having an outlet in communication with the vacuum chamber, the first channel positioned at the inlet end of the vacuum chamber and configured to supply elongate composite to the vacuum chamber;
an impregnation chamber defining a longitudinal axis extending between an impregnation chamber inlet and an impregnation chamber outlet, the longitudinal axis oriented along a vertical direction, the impregnation chamber containing a resin for impregnating the fibers;
a second channel having an inlet in communication with the vacuum chamber and an outlet in communication with the impregnation chamber;
at least one die configured for shaping the elongate composite and positioned downstream of the impregnation chamber;
an assembly for curing the resin, the assembly positioned downstream of the at least one die, the assembly comprising:
a wheel onto which impregnated, elongate composite is deposited and rotates with the wheel over a predetermined arc length;
a vertical course through which the impregnated, elongated composite passes after rotating with the wheel; and
a first radiation source positioned adjacent to the predetermined arc length and configured for at least partially curing the resin; and
a second radiation source positioned adjacent to the vertical course and configured for at least partially curing the resin.

Assignees

• Michelin & Cie
• Michelin Rech Tech
• Michelin & Cie

Inventors

• Delfino Antonio
• Joye Oliver
• Schroeter Pascal
• Grandjean Sylvain

Classifications

• B29B15/125

  by dipping · CPC title

• B29C70/522 Primary

  the transport direction being vertical · CPC title

• B29C35/10

  for articles of indefinite length · CPC title

• B29B15/14

  of filaments or wires · CPC title

• B29C2035/0833

  using actinic light · CPC title