Curing of polymer composites
OwnerLaurence John Walker, Michael Alex Haywood +2inventors
InventorsLaurence John Walker, Michael Alex Haywood, Jason Ian Lecoultre, Gregory James Millen
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Abstract
There is provided an apparatus (2) for the forming or curing of a fibre-reinforced polymer composite material (10). The apparatus (2) comprises a first layer of material (4) positioned to overly the fibre-reinforced polymer (10); a second layer of material (6) positioned to overly the first layer (4) to define a chamber (8) therebetween. The apparatus (2) further comprises a vapour source (16) and a fluid communication path having; a transfer section (18) in fluid communication with the vapour source (16) and chamber (8), and, a return section (20) in fluid communication with the chamber (8) and the vapour source (16).
Claims30
1-31. (canceled)
An apparatus for the forming or curing of a fibre-reinforced polymer composite material comprising:
- first and second layers of material arranged so as to define to chamber for overlying a fibre-reinforced polymer;
- a vapour source;
- a fluid communication path having:
- (i) a transfer section in fluid communication with the vapour source and the chamber;
- and,
- (ii) a return section in fluid communication with said chamber and said vapour source,
- the vapour source being configured for supplying vapour to the chamber at substantially atmospheric pressure.
The apparatus according to claim. 32, wherein the Dryness factor of said vapour within said communication path is regulated by at least one temperature measurement obtained from said temperature sensing device.
A method for the forming or curing of a fibre-reinforced polymer composite comprising the steps of:
- (i) laying up an uncured fibre-reinforced polymer;
- (ii) overlaying said polymer with a first flexible layer of material;
- (iii) overlaying said first flexible layer of material with a second layer of flexible material so as to define a chamber therebetween;
- (iv) filling said chamber with a heated vapour from a vapour source in fluid communication with said chamber;
- and
- (v) returning at least a portion of said vapour and/or condensate of said vapour to said vapour source.
The method according to claim. 49 further comprising the step of applying a first vacuum between the first and second layer to remove air from the chamber and/or vapour source prior to admitting said vapour.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.