FR2836982A1 - Equipment vacuum-forming sealed, composite, fiber-reinforced, tubular supporting structures, employs tubing of crenellated or spiral form - Google Patents

Abstract

Equipment employs tubing of crenellated- or spiral form. The equipment accommodates double tubing (7) equipped with a device for fiber distribution and centering (8, 9). The reinforcing fibers (2) are introduced dry, before or after shaping, with the assistance of a drawstring (3), in a filled version. The centering devices also distribute the fibers in a version with an empty center. The equipment is designed to make all sections and geometric shapes of tubing, whether spiraled or corrugated, which are commercially-available or are to be created. The end openings (4) and connections (6) used for vacuum application or resin (5) injection, are cut to accept straight- or multi-directional connectors (10). Before lamination and forming, an outer flexible envelope (11) can be added to the external corrugated tubing (1), to form a finishing covering.

Description

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 The present invention relates to a device for constructing load-bearing tubular structures in reinforced composites, under vacuum and without rigid mold.

 The device according to the invention is based on the use of plastic sheaths or pipes with spirals or notches, for their specific mechanical characteristics. Used more particularly, in building electricity or in public works for the burial of pipes, for a role of pre-tubing of cabling or tunel for pipes, they have the advantage of resisting crushing by external loads and at the curves to keep their section.

The device makes it possible to use them, in the manufacture of load-bearing tubular structures, in statified composite resins or reinforced plastics, without rigid mold and allows its use, in shapes with an ecliptic radius, curved concave or convex, multidimensional and directional. The device is particularly intended to design load-bearing structures of complex shapes, prestressed and curved for architecture, design, furniture or housing.

 The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

 Figure 1 shows in section the device according to the invention.

 Figure 2 shows in section the device in the positioning of the various elements constituting it.

With reference to these drawings, the device on the basis of a spiral or crenellated sheath, of variable geometric shape, round, square, rectangular, oval or any other compatible without limits, is filled with filamentary elements (2) high strength. In a preferred form of the glass fiber, carbon or kevlar yarn type. they are drawn using a wire (3) of iron or other, often
Included in products marketed for an identical function. The device is equipped to introduce the fibers and resistance wires (2) dry before or after the desired shaping, a distributor (9) in the case of a solid structure and a centralizer (8) for an empty center section. These distribution elements (8) and (9) are essential to the device, for non-segregation between the resins and the filamentary elements used, especially in curves, windings or during shaping. The element (8) also has the function of centering the tube (7)

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 over long lengths in a version with empty center The next phase consists in sealing the sheath (1) or the chamber formed by the gap between the inner sheath (7) and (1) outside at its ends opposite to the using a plug (4) with a waterproof sealant. Fittings (6) installed on the ends or by regular internals, on the wall of the tube (1) according to the distance between the injection zone and that of creep, allow to realize the internal vacuum and the filling of the casing with resins (5). This arrangement of the fittings (6) also depends on the value of the vacuum produced, on the lengths and shapes of the sections, in relation to the viscosity of the resins and adhesives used. Once the composite has been laminated and hardened, these ends (4) or the desired lengths of sections are cut, to be connected by simple unions (10) or with several junctions and at various degrees of orientation. A thermo envelope (11). retractable cover can be installed before the implementation of the device on the sheath (1).

 The device and particularly intended for the design of load-bearing structures under vacuum, without molds for complex shapes or with a large radius of curvature

Claims (7)

1) Device characterized in that it uses crenellated or spiral casings (1) sealed, for the construction of load-bearing structures of tubular forms reinforced with fibers and composites, under vacuum, without mold.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it can receive a double casing (7) equipped with centralizer (8) and (9) fiber distributor 3) Device according to claim 1 and claim 2. characterized in that the resistance filamentary elements (2) are introduced dry before or after shaping, using a pulling wire (3) d 'a centralizing element (9) of tube (7) fiber distributor (2), in its full version.  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the centralizers (8) of the inner casing (7) on the outer tube (1) also act as a distributor of the filamentary elements (2) in a version with empty center.  5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this method is adaptable to all sections and all geometric shapes of spiral or crenellated sheath (1) and (7) on the market or to be created.  6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plugged ends (4) and the fittings (6) used for evacuating or injecting the resins (5). are cut to receive simple or multidirectional connection unions (10) 7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crenellated casing (1) outside can receive before lamination and shaping, a smooth envelope (11) upper finishing cover.