Apparatus for forming the end portions of fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite tubes
AssigneeCrompton Technology Group Limited
InventorMichael J. Dewhirst
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for forming at least one external annular flange (48 or 49) adjacent one end of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic tube (10) in which the tube (10) is mounted on a mandrel (12) and a first end portion of the tube is clamped in a collar (13) having at least one internal annular cavity (18 or 19) for forming a flange, a second end portion of the tube in the region (R1, R2) of the cavity is heated to soften the thermoplastic, and an axial load (L) is applied to the end of the tube by a piston (24) causing the softened tube to flow into the cavity (18, 19) in the collar (13) to form a flange on the tube.
Claims5
Moulding apparatus for forming at least one flange adjacent an end portion of a wound fibre reinforced thermoplastic tube, said apparatus comprising a cylindrical collar having a respective annular cavity on its inner surface for forming each flange, at least one heat source, and a piston coaxial with the cylindrical collar for exerting an axial load on the end of the tube, the collar having a first portion providing a clamping zone for gripping an first end portion of the tube, a second portion heating the tube in the region of the cavity, and a third portion housing the piston so as to apply a load to the end of the tube causing a heated portion thereof to bend and flow into said cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.