KR20130138747A - Apparatus for composite tape dispensing - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for applying a resin impregnated tape on the surface of the molding tool 60, the apparatus includes a top frame 12 rotatably mounted to the base frame 14, the top frame is a resin impregnated tape Tape compression assembly 18 comprising a spool retention assembly 16 for holding a wound spool and a compression roller 48 formed along the surface of the molding tool to squeeze the resin impregnated tape onto the surface of the molding tool. And a tape tensioning system 38 for tensioning the resin impregnated tape, the top frame being able to rotate with them. The base frame includes a tracking system 20 for tracking the surface of the forming tool, which can reciprocate relative to the surface of the forming tool.

Description

Device for dispensing composite tape {APPARATUS FOR COMPOSITE TAPE DISPENSING}

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing composite tapes, in particular to an apparatus for precisely laying down prepreg tapes. The device may seat the prepreg along a linear or non-linear path in a molded structure having a curved surface or plane.

In composite technology, resin impregnated webs or tapes can be used to fabricate the particular components desired. Prepreg materials include aligned reinforcing fibers (usually carbon, glass or aramid fibers) that are impregnated with a polymer and used as an intermediate product in the molding of the composite structure. These fibers are frequently collimated into unidirectional structures to form tape-shaped products, typically 12 inches to 60 inches (30.5 centimeters to 152.4 centimeters) wide.

The composite structure is assembled into a continuous tape layer applied to a work surface, such as, for example, a molding tool, mandrel, or any surface used to form the composite portion. For example, from prepreg tapes, when constructing composite wind blades, wind blade spars or wing structures, long (ie longer than 40 meters) long prepreg tapes are seated very precisely on the forming tool. In order to obtain the desired composite properties, precise filament alignment is required. In addition, during laminate assembly, uniform compression of the prepreg tape is required to minimize trapped air that can cause voids in the cured composite laminate. Very slight misalignment of fiber orientation can cause significant loss of important engineering properties. For example, a deviation of 5 to 10 degrees orientation can result in a loss of 10% to 20% of the composite modulus of elasticity. The voids in the composite can also lead to lower composite properties. Porosities greater than 2% can cause significant loss of inter-laminar shear strength and can serve as a site of damage growth of the composite over its service life.

Composite wind blade spars are, for example, straight-sided laminates that vary in thickness from approximately 0.1 inches (0.25 centimeters) to 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters). They are typically laminated to mold surfaces in the range from flat to varying degrees of concave or convex curvature. For example, the wind blade spar may be planar at the tip and curved at the root. This arrangement further increases the complexity of seating the prepreg tape with extreme precision.

Manual layup of these spas with prepreg tapes is extremely difficult, time consuming, and more difficult to ensure precision. An alternative to manual construction involves the use of automatic tape seating machines. This type of machine has been developed for the last two decades, mainly for aeronautical structures. While these machines are designed to seat prepreg tapes with extreme precision, these machines are very expensive and are overly complex for wind blade spars.

The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of seating a wide prepreg product for structures with in-plane curvature, while significantly reducing the effect of wrinkles on the inner radius.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for applying a resin impregnated tape to a surface of a molding tool, the apparatus comprising a top frame rotatably mounted to a base frame, the top frame being resin impregnated on a bottom frame. It is equipped with a spool holding assembly for holding a tape wound spool and a tape tensioning system for rotating the tape squeezing assembly and a resin impregnated tape, which can rotate with them, and the tape squeeze assembly is resin impregnated. And a pressing roller formed to fit the surface of the forming tool to press the tape to the surface of the forming tool. The base frame includes a tracking system for tracking the surface of the forming tool, the base frame can be reciprocated relative to the surface of the forming tool.

In one embodiment, the spool holding the assembly includes an alignment system that aligns the spool of prepreg tape laterally with respect to the surface of the forming tool.

In one embodiment, the compaction roller comprises a plurality of adjacent disks supported on an axle, the disk having a central bore diameter greater than the outer diameter of the axle.

In one embodiment, the top frame rotates at least 180 ° on the base frame to change the direction of applying the resin impregnated tape on the surface of the molding tool. The apparatus may further comprise a turntable coupled to the top frame and the base frame such that the top frame can rotate on the base frame.

In one embodiment, the tape tensioning system includes an actuating disk brake. The disc brake may be activated manually or automatically.

In one embodiment, the forming tool includes at least one rail and the tracking system includes at least two guide rollers that engage with the at least one rail.

The surface of the forming tool may comprise at least one convex contour and a concave contour.

In one embodiment, the width of the resin impregnated tape applied to the molding tool is in the range of about 11.5 inches (292 mm) to about 60 inches (152.4 centimeters).

In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a slitter for dividing the resin impregnated tape into a plurality of strips in the longitudinal direction, the slitter being mounted to and rotatable with respect to the top frame. The slitter may comprise a plurality of stationary or rotary knives.

In one embodiment, the plurality of resin impregnated tape strips is uniform. In another embodiment, the widths of the plurality of resin impregnated tape strips are non-uniform.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of accumulator rollers located downstream of the slitter, each accumulator roller accumulating and de-accumulating a portion of each resin impregnated tape strip. Accumulating (de-accumulating) can be operated independently, the accumulator roller is mounted on the top frame and rotatable with the top frame.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises a control device, the control device comprising the placement of the resin impregnated tape on the surface of the molding tool, the tensile force of the tape applied by the tensioning system, the direction in which the tape is applied to the surface of the molding tool, And a speed at which the tape is applied to the surface of the forming tool.

In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts or features.
1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for seating a prepreg tape according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
3 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted with a spool of prepreg material.
4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 mounted with a spool of prepreg material.
5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus for seating a prepreg in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention located on a forming tool.
6 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 5.
7 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 5, illustrating the rotational movement of the top frame.
8 is a perspective view of an apparatus for seating a prepreg tape including a tape split and dispense assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 8.
10 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 8.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of the tensioning system of the device of FIG. 8. FIG.
12 is a partial side view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 with a spool of prepreg material mounted.
13 is a perspective view of the tape alignment assembly of the device of FIG. 8.
14 is a bottom view of the tape positioning assembly of the device of FIG. 8.
15A is a schematic diagram illustrating prepreg tape dispensed in a straight direction using a conventional apparatus.
15B is a schematic diagram illustrating prepreg tape dispensed in a non-linear direction using a conventional apparatus.
16 is a photograph showing prepregs distributed on a curved surface using a conventional apparatus.

The apparatus of the present invention is useful for applying a tape of continuous fibers pre-impregnated with a resin binder on the surface of a mold, mandrel or tool to form a composite laminate structure. The fibers may be composed of carbon, glass, ceramics, metals, and / or polymers. The resin binder may be a thermosetting or thermoplastic resin.

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for seating a wide, unidirectional prepreg tape, for structures and particularly for wind blades. The apparatus includes a spool holder that detachably holds a spool of continuous prepreg material web having a wide width. The apparatus includes a mechanism for properly positioning the prepreg on the surface of the forming tool. The apparatus also includes a rotatably mounted prepreg tape positioning assembly for bi-directional tape placement and compression.

The width of the prepreg tape product is typically in the range of about 11.5 inches (292 millimeters) to about 60 inches (152.4 centimeters). In one embodiment, the width of the prepreg tape is about 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) to about 60 inches (152.4 centimeters), or about 11.5 inches (292 millimeters) to about 15.75 inches (400 millimeters). In general, it is desirable to use wide prepreg tapes to increase production efficiency to increase the speed of prepreg tape seating. With the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to further increase production speed by providing bi-directional tape positioning and compaction. The application of the prepreg material to the forming tool can be performed in the forward and reverse directions.

1 to 3, in one embodiment of the present invention, the prepreg tape seating device includes a carriage 10 including a top frame 12 rotatably mounted to the base frame 14. to be. The prepreg spool retention assembly 16 and the compression assembly 18 are mounted to the top frame 12. Base frame 14 includes a tracking system 20 to accurately position the prepreg material on the surface of the forming tool.

The spool retention assembly 16 includes a spindle 22 and a spool support 24 mounted to the spindle 22. The spool support 24 includes a quick-adjusting pin 26 that contacts the interior of the prepreg spool core to center the spool 80 in the spindle 22. The spool retention assembly 16 allows for quick prepreg spool replacement and positioning. Spindle 22 is supported at each end by truss 28 over top frame 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, the carriage 10 includes a spool positioning system 30, and the spool positioning system 30 includes a disk 32 and a lateral adjustment bracket 34. The spool positioning system 30 controls the lateral position of the spool of prepreg material in the carriage during the prepreg dispensing process. The disk 32 is fixed to the spindle 22. The disc 32 is located between the arms of the U-shaped bracket 34. A pad 36 coupled to each arm of the bracket 36 contacts the disk 32. Using the positioning handle 31, a slight lateral adjustment (i.e., perpendicular to the tape application direction) in the alignment of the prepreg tape is necessary during tape dispensing by means of the bracket 34 moving in the lateral direction. Can be made according to.

The carriage 10 includes a tensioning system 38 that maintains an appropriate level of tension of the prepreg material during the dispensing process. The friction regulator 40 applies pressure to the disk 32 and the pad 36 in the bracket 34 to set a reference resistance to the rotation of the prepreg roll during the dispensing process. This adjuster 40 may be automatically actuated based on manual actuation or feedback from a tension sensing sensor (not shown).

Tension system 38 includes a spring loaded arm 42 that provides a measurement of tension in the prepreg tape. The force of the spring 44 on the spring loaded arm 42 also compensates for the slight fluctuations in force resulting from the propulsion of the prepreg dispensing carriage 10 and from the change in its diameter as the prepreg material is dispensed from the spool. . In one embodiment (not shown), the tensioning system may further include a sensor for tension sensing and adjustment. The tension roller 47 attached to the side bar 46 positions the prepreg tape close to the surface of the forming tool in preparation for the pressing step.

The compression assembly 18 operates to pressurize the prepreg material as it is dispensed onto the surface of the forming tool. The compression assembly exerts a compression pressure regardless of the twist and curvature of the molding tool surface. The compaction roller 48 consists of a plurality of thin and heavy adjacent disks 50 on the lateral axle 52 where the planes of the disks are pressed together. The disc 50 has a central bore diameter larger than the diameter of the axle 52. The disk 50 has a polished face and / or a friction dampening medium on the face of the disc to enable independent movement of each disc. The heavy disk 50 can move vertically so that the edge of each disk contacts the prepreg material to provide compaction. Retention member on the axle 52 adjacent to the last disc at each end to maintain the lateral position of the disk 50 and limit its movement to rotational movement about the axle and translational movement perpendicular to the axle 52. There is 54. The swing-away arm 56 of the compression assembly 18 is pivotally mounted to the top frame 12 at pivot point 58. The rotational movement of the compression assembly 18 allows the operator to lift the compression assembly when the compression assembly is not in use. Compression assembly 18 may optionally include flexible urethane, or other features including pneumatic shaped rollers and springs, or pneumatic load “fingers” / arms (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 4, the prepreg material 82 is released from the spool 80, passing over the turning roller 43 and then positioned close to the surface of the forming tool by the tension roller 47. The carriage 10 moves across the surface of the forming tool in the direction indicated by the arrow. The compression assembly 18 is lowered so that the compression roller 48 contacts the prepreg tape 82 and exerts a compression pressure on the surface of the forming tool 60 to press the prepreg tape 82.

5 and 6, the carriage 10 may be moved over the surface 64 of the forming tool 60 by wheels 70 located at each of the four corners of the base frame 14. The carriage 10 may be self-propelled using, for example, an electric motor (not shown). In one embodiment, the carriage 10 is guided by rails 62 located along the surface of the forming tool 60.

In the illustrated embodiment, the components of the tracking system 20 of the carriage 10 are integrated into the carriage 10 and coordinated with the placement of the forming tool 60 to ensure proper placement of the prepreg tape. Typically, the tuning focuses on the specific features of the final composite structure. For example, the point at which the centerline of the wind blade spar cap contacts the surface of the forming tool 60 can be used as a “key feature”. The tracking system 20 maintains a precise position on the key features of the prepreg dispensing carriage. The components of the tracking system 20 may be formed on the forming tool surface 64 or on one side of the central concave portion 66 of the forming tool 60, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. It may be embedded in an individual guide rail 62 located at the edge of 68.

The tracking system 20 includes at least a pair of guide rollers 72, which are mounted at the end of at least one leg 74 of the base frame 14 of the carriage and attached to the wheel 70. Adjacent. The pair of guide rollers 72 are bound to both sides of the rail 62 and spaced apart to traverse along the axis of the rail 62. The second pair of guide rollers 72 may be mounted to the second leg 74 of the same side base frame adjacent the second wheel 70. The guide roller 72 provides the final position of the carriage 10, provides a proper twist of the carriage 10 to reflect the position of the forming tool 60, and the carriage 10 along the entire length of the forming tool. Is adjusted with the forming tool to maintain contact with the forming tool 60. The tracking guide roller 72 also ensures that there is no pull-off of the carriage resulting from the force required to propel the carriage along the forming tool.

In one alternative embodiment, the one or more rails are positioned below the forming tool, instead of above the forming tool surface. In another alternative embodiment, individual rails are not used to guide the carriage. Instead, the molding tool surface itself contains key features that are tracked by the carriage to ensure proper placement of the prepreg material.

As the tape is deposited on the forming tool, the compaction roller 48 exerts a compaction force on the prepreg tape by contacting the top surface of the laminated structural composite. The compaction roller 48, which is composed of a plurality of thin and heavy adjacent disks 50, can be matched to the contour of the surface of the forming tool 64, in particular when the tape is applied to the concave (or convex) portion of the forming tool surface. It can be mated to the recessed portion 66 of the forming tool to reduce the tendency to wrinkle. With the squeeze roller 48, the prepreg tape can be applied to the forming tool surface having various concave curvatures, convexities of various curvatures and flat areas. The prepreg tape is also applied along the nonlinear path of the forming tool surface.

Referring to FIG. 7, the top frame 12 is rotatably fixed to the base frame 14 by a turntable 76, which does not remove the dispensing carriage 10 from the forming tool 60. Allow the prepreg material to rotate 180 degrees. Turntable 76 allows prepreg material to pass through the center of apparatus 10 during the dispensing process. The locking member 78, when engaged, prevents the top frame 12 from rotating in relation to the base frame 14 and sets the proper position of the prepreg spool for each application direction on the forming tool 60. Set it.

The apparatus of the present invention further includes means for guiding prepreg seating to ensure controlled fiber alignment. Operation of the carriage assembly 10 may be controlled by a controller (not shown). For example, the carriage can be controlled to control the placement of the prepreg tape, the tension of the tape, the direction in which the prepreg tape is applied to the surface of the forming tool, and the speed at which the prepreg tape is seated.

The carriage assembly 10 applies prepreg material tape starting from both ends of the forming tool 60 and may start and stop along a predetermined ply position. The cutter may be used to automatically cut the ply. In one embodiment, the carriage assembly 10 may include a laser guide (not shown) to measure the fly position.

In one embodiment, the carriage assembly may be removably coupled to the spool loading station.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a slitter and an accumulator, the apparatus comprising an inner radius of a strip of prepreg material formed from a wide prepreg tape product for a structure having planar curvature. It is possible to settle while significantly reducing the effect of wrinkles on. The initial width of the prepreg tape product may range from about 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) to about 60 inches (152.4 centimeters).

When constructing a composite structure from the prepreg tape, the tape is usually seated in a straight direction. Since the tape is unwound from a single spool, the fibers cannot be stretched in the seating process and can not slide against each other. As a result, such prepreg tapes cannot be seated in the in-plane curvature structure without creating wrinkles or puckering at the inner radius.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the prepreg tape 200 dispensed in a linear direction using a conventional apparatus has a plurality of aligned reinforcing fibers 202 previously impregnated with a polymer. When the tape 200 is applied to a flat linear surface, the tape is laid smoothly without wrinkles or percussion. 15B illustrates the prepreg tape 200 distributed in a non-linear, curved direction using a conventional device. The tape 200 lies smoothly along the outer edge 204 of the curved plane. However, along the inner edge 206, wrinkles 208 are formed.

16 is a photograph of a 7 inch (17.8 centimeter) wide prepreg strip seated in a plane of a radius of curvature of 130 feet (39.6 meters) using a conventional device. Wrinkles and perkering 208 at inner diameter 206 are clearly visible. Wrinkles create a loss of fiber orientation in this area and result in a loss of composite mechanical properties. Carbon fiber composites are particularly sensitive to loss of compressive strength due to loss of fiber arrangement.

8-10, another exemplary embodiment of the prepreg tape dispensing apparatus of the present invention is illustrated. The apparatus includes a movable carriage 10, which spool retaining assembly 16 detachably holds a spool 80 of a continuous web of wide width prepreg tape material 82. ). As described above, this embodiment of the carriage 10 includes a top frame 12 rotatably mounted to the base frame 14. The prepreg spool retention assembly 16 and the compression assembly 18 are mounted to the top frame 12. Base frame 14 includes a tracking system 20 to precisely position the prepreg material on the surface of the forming tool. The carriage assembly 10 includes a turntable 76 that allows the top frame 12 to be rotatable about the base frame 14, such that application of the prepreg tape material to the forming tool 60 is in the forward and reverse directions. It can be performed as.

As the prepreg material tape 82 is released from the spool 80, it is advanced to the slitter 90, which is divided into a plurality of prepreg material strips 84. The slitter 90 may include, for example, a plurality of stationary knives 92 or rotary knives. The number of strips and the width of the individual strips 84 depends on the degree of nonlinearity of the surface of the forming tool 60 on which the strips 84 are provided. For example, the strip 84 may be uniform in width or have a variety of widths to accommodate the nonlinear path of the forming tool 60. Although the description of the apparatus herein refers to a molding tool, the prepreg material may be applied to a mold, mandrel, or any other surface used to form the composite structure in a prepreg dispensing process. It is considered to be.

In another embodiment, the strip 84 is split during fabrication of the wide prepreg web, prior to unwinding from a single spool. The already split strip spool 80 is then mounted to the spool holding assembly 16.

The carriage 10 includes a mechanism to accommodate the difference in length of the individual strips 84 resulting from the non-linear path of the forming tool 60. In one embodiment, an accumulator 94 is used. The accumulator 94 includes a plurality of rollers 96, each prepreg strip 84 being independent when additional length adjustment of the individual strips resulting from the non-linear path on the forming tool 60 is required. It has an associated roller that can extend or retract into it. The accumulator roller 96 maintains tension of the individual strips 84 so that the individual strips 84 apply smoothly to the forming tool 60. Extension and retraction of the roller 96 of the accumulator 94 may be effected by a plurality of actuators 98 coupled to the roller 96. In one embodiment, the actuator 98 includes a pneumatic cylinder.

Referring to FIG. 11, the carriage 10 comprises a tensioning system 38, which tensions the brake 32 with the brake disk 32 fixed to the spindle 22 and the disk 32 under programmed control. It includes a pneumatically actuated brake pad 100 for applying a.

12 and 13, the prepreg material 82 is advanced from the spool 80 to the slitter 90 that is slit into the plurality of prepreg strips 84. The prepreg strips 84 move beyond the rollers 96 of the accumulator 94 and each strip path is adapted to adjust the additional length of the individual strips resulting from the nonlinear path of the forming tool 60 to which the strip is applied. It is controlled independently. From the actuator roller 96, the strip advances to the guide roller 102, which guides the strip closer to the surface of the forming tool. The compaction roller 48 applies a compaction force that contacts the strip 84 to the surface of the prepreg forming tool 60 and compresses the prepreg strip 84. The surface of the forming tool 60 may include concave and / or convex areas and / or planar areas having various curvatures. Although the path at the forming tool surface of the individual prepreg strips 84 is non-linear or curved, the device 10 can be seated with little or no crease in the gap between the prepreg layer and / or strips in the mold. .

12-14 illustrate the steps involved in positioning a tape in a forming tool. As shown in FIG. 12, the tape 82 is guided by a threading guide 104, with the slitter 90 inactive, prior to being slit into the strip 84. Thus guided. The tape 82 is clamped or held to the surface of the forming tool 60. The slitter 90 is then actuated and the carriage 10 begins to move forward (in the direction indicated by the arrow), so that the slit portion of the tape (ie, the strip 84) extends beyond the pressing roller 48. Push the tape (82) until The tape 84 is then cut laterally and the carriage 10 advances out of the path so that the just seated tape is pulled up and discarded. The carriage 10 then moves to the programmed starting position for the next layer to be applied, and the compaction roller 48 is lowered to begin attachment of the prepreg strip 84 to the forming tool surface 64. At this point, the prepreg strip 84 is aligned by the crowned accumulator roller 96 and the crowned guide roller 102. Keeping the center of the tape aligned with the center of the molding surface while the carriage 10 moves from the straight portion of the forming surface 64 to the swept portion, or from one radius of the sweep to the other radius Cross carriage 106 is laterally moved by cross carriage drive motor 104. In this embodiment, the amount of movement is previously entered into the table of the control device 112 as an offset data point. This same cross carriage 106 is used to move the carriage to an additional or less distance needed to track the tape 82 coming from the spool 80 as detected by the web edge sensor 110. This is done to provide a degree of compensation of the tape wound unevenly onto the spool 80 or the tape 82 moved from the spool 80 during movement.

Operation of the carriage assembly may be controlled by the controller 112. For example, the carriage 10 may include the movement of the prepreg tape 82 or strip 84, the tension of the tape or strip, the direction in which the prepreg tape or strip is applied to the surface of the forming tool 60, and the prepreg It may also be connected to a controller 112 that is configured to control the speed at which the tape or strip is seated.

The carriage assembly 10 may apply a prepreg material tape 82 or strip 84 starting from each end of the forming tool 60 and may start or stop depending on the location of the predetermined tape or strip. A cutter, such as an ultrasonic knife (not shown), may be used to automatically cut the tape or strip. In one embodiment, the carriage assembly may include a laser guide to position the tape or strip ply.

The prepreg tape material 82 at the spool 80 may have a liner layer or a backing layer attached to the prepreg tape 82. In one embodiment, the liner layer or backing layer of prepreg material is removed from the underside of the prepreg and placed into a liner take-up roll prior to seating the tape 82 or individual strip 84 of the prepreg material. It is wound up. In one embodiment (not shown), the prepreg material web 82 includes a liner on the top surface of the web, which is removed prior to seating the web. The carriage assembly may further comprise means for detecting incomplete removal of the liner or backing from the prepreg material web.

In one embodiment, the carriage assembly 10 may be rotatably coupled to the spool loading station.

Example

The four wheel cart is designed to hold a spool of prepreg material and has an outer diameter of up to 32 inches (81.3 centimeters) and an inner diameter of 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) and a length of approximately 1800 feet (549 meters). The 600 millimeter wide prepreg web was split into twelve 2 inch (50.8 mm) wide strips with a stationary knife mounted on a cart.

Approximately three prepreg material spools were used to make wind turbine spar caps. The spool is loaded onto the cart by an overhead crane or forklift.

By seating narrower prepreg strips from a given radius of curvature, the problem of wrinkles is reduced. Its analysis was done at 130 feet (40 meters) radius of curvature and is shown in Table 1 below. As can be seen in this particular analysis, when the strip is approximately 2.0 inches (5.0 centimeters) wide, the wrinkle area is reduced to approximately 8% of the reference for a 24 inch (61 centimeters) wide prepreg strip.

This exemplary lay-up can be obtained using prepreg products consisting of 2-inch (5.1 cm) wide strips, and the production and packaging of individual prepreg strips is 24 inches (61.0 cm) in a single spool. ) Starting with a wide prepreg product can add significant cost.

The apparatus and process of the present invention are particularly useful for the fabrication of wind turbine components. However, the apparatus and process may also be used, for example, in airplanes, helicopters, automobile bodies, rail cars, submarines and other structural and aerodynamic components.

While the present invention has been shown and described with respect to particular embodiments or embodiments, those skilled in the art having read and understood the description and the accompanying drawings may make equivalent modifications and changes. With respect to the various special functions performed by the elements depicted above (components, assemblies, devices, composites, etc.), the terms used to describe such elements (including references to "means") are not indicated. Unless otherwise described in this document, structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure for carrying out the functions of the illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention, the specific function of the depicted element (ie, functionally equivalent) It is intended to correspond to any element. In addition, in any given or particular application, certain features of the invention may have been described above with respect to only one or more of the various illustrated embodiments, which features may be combined with one or more other features of another embodiment. It is desirable and there is an advantage.

Claims (15)

It is a device to apply the resin impregnated tape to the molding tool,
A top frame rotatably mounted to the base frame,
A spool retention assembly for holding a spool of resin impregnated tape wound on a resin impregnated tape;
A tape crimping assembly comprising a crimping roller set to conform to the surface of the molding tool for pressing the resin impregnated tape onto the surface of the molding tool;
A tape tensioning system for tensioning the resin impregnated tape is mounted to the top frame, and the top frame can rotate with them,
The base frame includes a tracking system for tracking the surface of the forming tool, the apparatus capable of reciprocating with respect to the surface of the forming tool. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spool retaining assembly includes an alignment system for laterally aligning the spool of prepreg tape with respect to the surface of the forming tool. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the compaction roller comprises a plurality of continuous disks supported on the axle, the disk having a central bore diameter greater than the outer diameter of the axle. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top frame rotates at least 180 ° on the base frame to allow for a change in the direction of application of the resin impregnated tape at the surface of the forming tool. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a turntable coupled to the top frame and the base frame to allow rotation of the top frame on the base frame. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tape tensioning system comprises an actuating disk brake. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forming tool comprises at least one rail and the tracking system comprises at least two guide rollers that engage with the at least one rail. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface of the forming tool comprises at least one convex contour and a concave contour. The device of claim 1, wherein the width of the resin impregnated tape is in the range of about 11.5 inches (292 millimeters) to about 60 inches (152.4 centimeters). 10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a slitter for dividing the resin impregnated tape into a plurality of strips in the longitudinal direction, wherein the slitter is mounted on the top frame and rotatable with the single end frame. . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the slitter comprises a plurality of knives. 12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, wherein the strips of the plurality of resin impregnated tapes are uniform in width. 12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11 wherein the widths of the strips of the plurality of resin impregnated tapes are non-uniform. 14. The method of any of claims 10 to 13, further comprising a plurality of accumulator rollers located downstream of the slitter, wherein each accumulator roller independently accumulates a portion of each resin impregnated tape strip. And a de-accumulating operation, wherein the accumulator roller is mounted to the top frame and is rotatable with the top frame. 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
Placement of resin impregnated tape on the surface of the forming tool,
Tensile force applied to the tape by the tensioning system,
The direction in which the tape is applied to the surface of the forming tool, and
The speed at which the tape is applied to the surface of the forming tool
And a control device configured to control at least one.

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