Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Orbital Atk, Inc.

Lloyd G Miller

Keith G Shupe

Vernon M Benson

Douglas G Harris

Kevin L Wade

Kazutoshi Fujimoto

A method and system for a fiber compaction device with interdependent segment travel is described. A compaction device structure supports a series of individual interdependent segments including a compaction surface. Each segment also includes an opening in which a presser member can be located. The presser members consist of either an elastomeric bladder filled with an incompressible fluid or individual pistons that are manifolded together with a fixed volume of incompressible fluid. The presser members create an interdependence in segment positions such that if one or more segments are displaced the others move to balance the segment positions. Having a fixed volume of incompressible fluid allows the segments to work interdependently, thus guaranteeing that the average section position will be the nominal position and eliminating the need for a fixed center section. The segments can conform to complexly shaped part surfaces and apply a uniform pressure against the entire surface to better compact material being drawn through the fiber compaction device.

Compaction device for fiber placement using interdependent segment travel

A tape delivery end-effector apparatus is, in an exemplary embodiment, a multiple-channel system for applying materials in tape form to a tooling mandrel. The end-effector apparatus is mounted on a multi-axis fiber placement machine and uses the machine's computer controlled guidance system. A preset constant tension is independently applied to each tape unspooled from spool holders by a separate servo motor, servo amplifier and feedback transducer for each spool holder. The transducer continuously measures the tape spool diameter. Two sets of rollers guide the tapes to the mandrel.

Overwrap tape end-effector for fiber placement/winding machines

Position-controlled tensioner system

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Bountiful, UT, United States of America

Lloyd G Miller