Northrop Corporation

Christopher L Brown

Robert Michael Garcia

Harry C Ashcraft

Daniel R Tichenor

Improved apparatus for dispensing tape of a thermoplastic matrix composite material onto a recipient surface comprising in combination support means for mounting a reel of tape; feed means for unwinding the tape from the reel and advancing it along a path of travel to the mandrel; a guillotine knife in the path of travel for cutting the tape at a predetermined angle with respect to the path of travel; a slotted, box-type pre-heater for the tape located in the path of travel following the knife for providing heat to the tape; a heated pressure roller located in the path of travel following the pre-heater for providing additional heat to the tape for effecting a process operating temperature and for applying the required pressure to the tape for lamination of the tape onto the recipient surface; cooling means located in the path of travel beyond the pressure roller for reducing the process heat from the laminated tape on the recipient surface and to smoothing it for thereby obtain the desired surface finish; and additional means operatively positioned with respect to the pressure roller, tape and recipient surface for placing an interference film between the pressure roller and the tape to prevent sticking of the tape to the pressure roller. Also disclosed is the method of operating such apparatus.

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Arlington, TX, United States of America

Christopher L Brown