Hercules Corporation

Alliant Techsystems Inc.

John A. Johnson

Vernon M. Benson

Dee R. Gill

Boyd L. Hatch

Brian Moloney

Keith G. Shupe

Noel I. Shepherd

William J. Weis

Noel I Shepherd

Dee R Gill

John A Johnson

William J Weis

Vernon M Benson

Keith G Shupe

James P Nielsen

James P Neilsen

Kazutoshi Fujimoto

Boyd L Hatch

Brian N Moloney

Hosein Mansouri

A fiber placement machine undergoes a plurality of axes of motion in locating a delivery head (containing a compaction roller) perpendicular to a mandrel, with relative movement between the head and the mandrel along a predetermined path, which may be over a complex compounded shape. The machine includes a temperature controlled creel where rovings (or tows) of fibrous material are stored on spools and are fed from the creel to the delivery head. The delivery head processes the tows into a band and applies the band on the surface of the mandrel by means of the roller compaction.

Multiple axes fiber placement machine

A delivery head assembly is provided for forming a tape band from a plurality of tows and applying the band as superimposed layers in a helical pattern on to a mandrel to produce non-uniform cross sectional articles. This head assembly is composed of a distribution section, ribbonizing section, coating section, add section, and compaction roller.

Band fiber forming and placement delivery head

A ribbonizing apparatus and method for forming a fiber band from a plurality of fiber tows extending along respective fiber tow pathways. The ribbonizing apparatus includes an assembly for selectively heating at least a respective one of the plurality of fiber tows as the fiber tow extends along the fiber pathways. When not needed, the heat is removed from the fiber tow. A plurality of embodiments for accomplishing the method are contemplated.

Ribbonizing method for selectively heating a respective one of a

Ribbonizing apparatus for individually heating a plurality of laterally

A filament winding system includes a head that selects the number of tows to be within a winding band while winding and positioning the winding band directly on the mandrel according to contours of the mandrel. Half of the tows are conveyed in an upper portion of the head and the remaining half are conveyed in a lower portion of the head with both halves meeting at an applicating roller at the discharge end of the tows. The head includes cut and add assemblies wherein the individual tows are selectively cut and later can be added to the band.

Filament winding system

Growing community of inventors

Grantsville, UT, United States of America

Noel I Shepherd