Bicc Plc

David James Greene

David Alexander Taylor

Alexander Joseph Moore

Colin Alfred Pearson

In the manufacture of a rigid elongate member of resin bonded reinforcing elements, e.g. a resin bonded glass fibre rod, reinforcing elements are passed through an apertured guide and are secured to one of two hook means spaced one vertically above the other. Elongate loops of the reinforcing elements are formed by effecting vertical to and fro movement of the guide between the hook means, as the guide approaches each hook means in turn the guide partially rotating said hook means so that the elements are wound over it. One hook means is rotatably driven with respect to the other hook means to twist the elongate loops together to form a skein in which the twisted reinforced elements are held under tension between the two hook means. The skein is then cured.

Manufacture of rigid elongate members of resin bonded reinforcing

In a rigid electromagnetic waveguide, reinforcing elements (e.g. glass fibres) or one or more layers of the reinforcing wall extend lengthwise, preferably parallel to the waveguide axis, throughout the length of the waveguide. Preferably in the outermost layer or in outer layers of the reinforcing wall reinforcing elements extend helically about the waveguide. The longitudinally extending reinforcing elements are preferably applied to a stationary mandrel, which may be arranged vertically, through an annular guide which travels to and fro along the length of the mandrel, the elements being retained at the start and finish of each pass of the guide. The resistance of the waveguide to bending when supported horizontally is increased.

Electromagnetic waveguides

A rigid electromagnetic waveguide is manufactured in a continuous series of operations by causing an elongate mandrel, supported vertically, to travel along a predetermined path successively to a wire-winding station where a layer of closely wound helical turns of wire is applied; a station or stations where a layer or layers of resin-impregnated reinforcing elements to form a reinforcing wall is or are applied; a curing station where the resin is cured; and an extraction station where the waveguide is removed from the mandrel. Between the last of the stations where a layer of the reinforcing wall is formed and the curing station, the mandrel may pass through stations where a moisture barrier and an outer protective covering are applied. Risk of change in tension in the wires or reinforcing elements about the neutral axis of the waveguide is reduced.

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Harrow, United Kingdom

David James Greene