Fibre spreading
OwnerGerard Fernando, Venkata Machavaraminventors
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Abstract
A method of spreading fibres, the method comprises providing a continuous fibre bundle having an initial width Wa and causing the fibre bundle to run, in a running direction, through tensioning means and past or through fluid flow means, the tensioning means intermittently varying the tension in the fibre bundle and the fluid flow means producing a fluid flow through the fibre bundle as the tension varies in the fibre bundle, whereby the width of the fibre bundle increases to a spread width Wb. Apparatus (1) is also disclosed, which apparatus (1) comprises a tensioning means (3) to intermittently vary the tension in the fibre bundle (2) and a fluid flow means (4) for producing a flow of fluid through the bundle (2).
Claims20
A method of spreading fibres, the method comprising providing a continuous fibre bundle having an initial width Wa and causing the fibre bundle to run, in a running direction, through a tensioner to provide tension to the fibre bundle and past or through a fluid flow apparatus, the tensioner intermittently varying the tension in the fibre bundle and the fluid flow apparatus producing a fluid flow through the fibre bundle as the tension varies in the fibre bundle, whereby the width of the fibre bundle increases to a spread width Wb, and comprising causing or providing a ratio of spread width Wb to the initial width Wa of between 6:1 and 20:1 wherein the fluid flow apparatus is located downstream of the tensioner, the fluid flow apparatus comprises a housing and a retention member located within the housing, wherein the retention member is configured to retain the fibre bundle within the housing as it runs in the running direction.
An apparatus for spreading fibres, the apparatus comprising a tensioner to provide tension to the fibre bundle and a fluid flow apparatus which is downstream of the tensioner, the tensioner being arranged to intermittently increase the tension in a continuous fibre bundle running therethrough, the fluid flow apparatus being arranged to produce a fluid flow through the fibre bundle as the tension varies in said fibre bundle running therethrough, thereby to increase the width of the fibre bundle from an initial width Wa to a spread width Wb wherein the spread width Wb has a ratio to the initial width Wa of between 6:1 and 20:1, wherein the fluid flow apparatus comprises a housing and a retention member located within the housing, wherein the retention member is configured to retain the fibre bundle within the housing as it runs in the running direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.