Apparatus and method for generating a continuously-formed mandrel as a supportive base

In apparatus for continuously-developing multi-layer tubing from plural ribbons of wrapping material of indefinite length layered in seriatim upon a continuously-formed mandrel serving as a temporary supportive base for the tubing, the combination of:

• a driven cylindrical forming mandrel rotatable about its longitudinal axis and having a plurality of longitudinally-extending serrations on its periphery,
• a stationary driving helix concentrically associated with the forming mandrel for feeding a ribboned workpiece introduced thereto to the forming mandrel,
• initial pressure means for continuously winding the workpiece received from the driving helix radially inwardly into adjacent helical convolutions circumscribing the forming mandrel with a central axis formed at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the forming mandrel, impressing the serrations of the forming mandrel on the under side of the convolutions of the formed mandrel in the generation of the helical configuration of a developing formed mandrel as a supportive base,
• the driving helix serving as a means for progressing the formed mandrel longitudinally of the forming mandrel,
• the interengagement of the mating serrations of the forming and formed mandrels imparting a positive rotative force to the formed mandrel while holding the successive formed loops relative to each other as they are promoted longitudinally along the mandrel surface,
• means downstream of the initial pressure means for the in seriatim feeding of a plurality of ribbons for forming successive contiguous helical convolutions in the buildup of a tubing on the formed mandrel, supplemental pressure means for pressing the contiguous layers radially inwardly relative to the forming mandrel, heating means for fusing the enwrapped layers, and means for removing the formed mandrel from interiorly of the finally-developed fused self-sustaining tubing.

For continuously joining together a succession of layers of components in convoluted form by fusion between the contiguous layers in the buildup of a self-sustaining tubing, the method which includes the steps of:

• (a) deflecting a workpiece emanating from a driving helix past a cooperant initial pressure means and around a rotative serrated forming mandrel as a helical coil in the definition of a developing formed mandrel,
• (b) pressing the convolutions of the developing formed mandrel radially inwardly against the serrations of the forming mandrel in the generation of mating serrations on the inside wall of the formed mandrel forming teeth in the formed mandrel,
• (c) maintaining a pressure between formed mandrel and forming mandrel only at the point of pressure,
• (d) progressing the formed mandrel by the force of the driving helix longitudinally of the forming mandrel,
• (e) enwrapping a series of ribbons of tapes in successive helical convolutions exteriorly of and around the formed mandrel in the buildup of a tubing,
• (f) passing the tubing through a heating means for effecting a fusion of the tape layers, and
• (g) removing the formed mandrel from interiorly of the now self-sustaining tubing.

Mechanism for the control of the transmission of the energy from a prime mover as a load or driven member is driven comprising in combination:

• a rotatable tubular transmitting line longitudinally serrated around its outer periphery defining analagously the toothed gearing of a spur gear;
• a stationary helix concentrically arranged relative to the transmitting line and to and about which the load is fed;
• a pressure means for deflecting the load delivered from the helix into an initial arc in impinging relationship with the teeth of the spur gear of the transmitting line for forming mating teeth on the load defining analagously an internal ring gear constituted by the load circumscribing the transmitting line in the form of a developing continuously-formed, helically-wound driven member;
• with the driven member being simultaneously lateral progressed and rotated along and about the transmitting line;
• the prime mover comprising the conjointly-functioning transmitting line and helix and pressure means.

In mechanism for the output control of power delivery to a workpiece generating from a continuous ribbon into a spirally-wound tubing through a transmitting line with a prime mover being disposed at one end of, and with the formed tubing emanating from the other end of, the transmitting line, the combination of:

• a rotatable tubular transmitting line longitudinally serrated around its outer periphery for serving as the toothed gearing of a spur gear;
• a stationary helix concentrically arranged relative to the transmitting line and to and about which the workpiece is fed;
• a pressure means for deflecting the workpiece delivered from the helix into an initial arc in impinging relationship with the teeth of the spur gear of the transmitting line and forming mating teeth on the workpiece serving as the internal ring gear constituted by the developing helically-wound workpiece circumscribing the transmitting line;
• with the remaining circular arc of the developing workpiece being in relatively loose inter-relationship for the simultaneous lateral progression and rotation of the workpiece along and about the transmitting line;
• the prime mover comprising the conjointly-functioning transmitting line and helix and pressure means.