Method and device for the production of tubular structural components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016129647-A1
Application number	US-201514928389-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 30, 2015
Priority date	Dec 13, 2007
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for producing a tubular structural component and device for production thereof are disclosed. A tubular moulding tool has an inner mould surface shaped corresponding to an outer surface of the structural component. A support surface of an expandable support, formed corresponding to the moulding tool shape such that in an unexpanded state the support fills the moulding tool while the support surface and the mould surface run parallel leaving an expansion spacing of the support surface to the mould surface, is covered with a tubular non-crimp fibre fabric, such that fibres of a fibre layer of the non-crimp fibre fabric run diagonally around the support. After the support has been arranged in the moulding tool, the non-crimp fibre fabric is pressed against the mould surface by expanding the support with radial expansion of the non-crimp fibre fabric. The non-crimp fibre fabric is infiltrated by a curable matrix.

First claim

1 . A device for producing a tubular structural component, the device comprising:
a tubular moulding tool which has an inner mould surface shaped corresponding to an outer surface of the structural component; an expandable support which is formed such that, in an unexpanded state, it fills the moulding tool while leaving an expansion spacing between a support surface of the support and the mould surface, the expansion spacing amounting to 1 to 10 cm; and an expansion device configured to expand the support such that when the support surface is covered with a tubular non-crimp fibre fabric and when the support is arranged in the moulding tool, the support surface radially expands the non-crimp fibre fabric and presses it against the mould surface; wherein the non-crimp fibre fabric is configured to be infiltrated with a curable matrix.

2 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a pressure membrane, the expansion device being configured to produce a pressure differential between an inner region of the support and an intermediate region between the pressure membrane and the moulding tool.

3 . The device according to claim 2 , wherein the expansion device comprises a compressor for increasing a pressure in the inner region of the support above atmospheric pressure.

4 . The device according to claim 2 , wherein the expansion device comprises a vacuum pump for reducing a pressure in the intermediate region below atmospheric pressure.

5 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a recess for inserting a reinforcing element.

6 . The device according to claim 5 , further comprising a guide for guiding the reinforcing element, during the expanding of the support, in a radial direction of the moulding tools.

7 . The device according to claim 6 , wherein the guide comprises at least one guide cover for fitting to at least one end of the moulding tool and/or of the support, the guide cover having a guide slot running in a radial direction of the tubular moulding tool for guiding the reinforcing element.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Gmbh

Inventors

• Lengsfeld Hauke
• Reye Volker

Classifications

• B29C33/505 Primary

  cores or mandrels, e.g. inflatable (B29C33/0016 takes precedence; for winding and joining B29C53/824; for supporting articles during joining B29C66/634; flexible cores for vulcanizing tyres B29D30/0654) · CPC title

• B29C70/443

  and impregnating by vacuum or injection · CPC title

• B29K2307/04

  Carbon · CPC title

• B29C70/48 Primary

  and impregnating the reinforcements in the closed mould, e.g. resin transfer moulding [RTM] {, e.g. by vacuum} · CPC title

• B29C70/345

  using matched moulds · CPC title